Strategic Technique for Rapid Application Prototyping
October 13, 2014
CEATH Company's strategic technique for rapid application prototyping (STRAP) is a tool used to develop systems quickly with the client looking on and giving feedback as the system development unfolds. STRAP is a real-time implementation of the five principles of business information technology deployment discussed over the past five video blogs.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Principles of Information Technology 4 of 5
September 29, 2014
Have you ever felt like your data was being held hostage by your information system? You know your data is in there, but you just can't get the information system to give it to you.
In this fourth episode in a series on the five principles Business Information Technology Deployment, Martin Ramsay discusses how we get information OUT of our systems. The third principle focused on capturing data IN to the system. The fourth principle focuses on obtaining access to that data in useful ways to better support business strategies and decision-making. The idea is to turn raw data, locked away inside an information system, into information we can use.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
In this fourth episode in a series on the five principles Business Information Technology Deployment, Martin Ramsay discusses how we get information OUT of our systems. The third principle focused on capturing data IN to the system. The fourth principle focuses on obtaining access to that data in useful ways to better support business strategies and decision-making. The idea is to turn raw data, locked away inside an information system, into information we can use.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Principles of Information Technology 1 of 5
September 08, 2014
This video bog begins a series of five about Martin Ramsay's five principles of Business Information Technology Deployment.
The first principle is that "the Business Information Technology System must model the business it serves." In this brief video Martin discusses why this simple concept is so foundational to understanding and effectively deploying any technology system. Organizations routinely violate this principle, either by poorly modeling the business in the information system, and/or by failing to recognize that the information technology system must serve the organization (and not the other way around).
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
The first principle is that "the Business Information Technology System must model the business it serves." In this brief video Martin discusses why this simple concept is so foundational to understanding and effectively deploying any technology system. Organizations routinely violate this principle, either by poorly modeling the business in the information system, and/or by failing to recognize that the information technology system must serve the organization (and not the other way around).
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Digging into Data
August 11, 2014
We are in the age of "big data." Awash with data, we're not always able to make sense of it.
In this week's video blog, Martin Ramsay provides a simple example of a way to look at data to tease meaning and information out of a mass of numbers. See if you can spot what is going on with the data examples before Martin reveals the answer at the end.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
In this week's video blog, Martin Ramsay provides a simple example of a way to look at data to tease meaning and information out of a mass of numbers. See if you can spot what is going on with the data examples before Martin reveals the answer at the end.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Three Ways to Think Like a Consultant
July 28, 2014
Opportunities to "think like a consultant" abound. Using an example from a family reunion, Martin Ramsay discusses the three keys to thinking like a consultant:
1. Observe the client's pain
2. Identify the tool(s) that will help
3. Offer your service
Everyone should think like a consultant, even in unexpected places like a family reunion.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
1. Observe the client's pain
2. Identify the tool(s) that will help
3. Offer your service
Everyone should think like a consultant, even in unexpected places like a family reunion.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Force Field Analysis
May 19, 2014
The Force Field Analysis tool is a simple yet powerful technique for analyzing the forces for and against a change. When beginning any change journey, it is wise to look at all the forces that will help you implement the change, and all those forces that are arrayed agains it. In this blog, Martin Ramsay shows us how to construct a Force Field Analysis and discusses some of the ways to use the analysis for making change.
Other video blogs that discuss change and the tools for change include Do People Resist Change?, The Merlin Technique, and The Factory on a Desk-Top™.
Be sure and check out other blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Other video blogs that discuss change and the tools for change include Do People Resist Change?, The Merlin Technique, and The Factory on a Desk-Top™.
Be sure and check out other blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
The Factory on a Desk-Top™
May 12, 2014
Have you ever wished you had a good way to help people understand the complexities of how system work together and how they drive human behavior? Have you ever wished for a way to talk about process improvement in a tangible way? Look no further than this week's video about CEATH Company's Factory on a Desk-Top™, a simulated factory in which everyone has a role and the results can be measured.
The Factory on a Desk-Top™ is loads of fun as people work with Lego® bricks, Monopoly® money and poker chips to figure out how to improve processes.
As you watch this video, think about process in your organization and how you can dissect them for improvement.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
The Factory on a Desk-Top™ is loads of fun as people work with Lego® bricks, Monopoly® money and poker chips to figure out how to improve processes.
As you watch this video, think about process in your organization and how you can dissect them for improvement.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Use the Right Tool
May 05, 2014
Martin Ramsay emphasizes the importance of tools in our work using three tools familiar to a woodshed. He makes the point that we need to a) have the right tools for our work, b) learn how to use them well, and c) not be seduced into thinking that bigger, more expensive, or more complex tools are always the best.
As you watch this video, think about the tools you use in your work, wether they be a spreadsheet or a laser welder, and how you can use them most effectively.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
As you watch this video, think about the tools you use in your work, wether they be a spreadsheet or a laser welder, and how you can use them most effectively.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
The Merlin Technique
February 10, 2014
Which is harder: to imagine the future you hope to create, or to figure out the path to get there?
You'll have to watch this video blog to find out, but here's a hint: the Merlin Technique is a clever way to help yourself and others figure out the path to a desired future. Along the way, you might even find yourself being motivated to get started on moving toward that vision of the future right now. Martin Ramsay discusses how to use the Merlin Technique as a way to describe that winding path that leads to where you want to go.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
You'll have to watch this video blog to find out, but here's a hint: the Merlin Technique is a clever way to help yourself and others figure out the path to a desired future. Along the way, you might even find yourself being motivated to get started on moving toward that vision of the future right now. Martin Ramsay discusses how to use the Merlin Technique as a way to describe that winding path that leads to where you want to go.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Mind Mapping
February 03, 2014
This week's video blog focuses in on a specific tool: mind mapping.
As Martin Ramsay noted in earlier video blogs, helping get people to be explicit about their own mental models is a vital skill. People often have mental models about a given situation, process or goal, and these may even be mental models of which they are mostly unaware. When there are significant differences between mental models, conflict can arise. And people may not even understand the source of those conflicts because they are unaware of the underlying mental models — both in their own heads and in the heads of others.
Martin Ramsay discusses using a tool called mind mapping to draw those mental models out of people's heads and into the light where everyone can see and understand them. He demonstrates how to use the mind mapping tool and give one example application from his consulting work at CEATH Company.
What seems a bit out of line, over the top, or not quite right at your organization? What do your consulting instincts tell you about finding out more. Perhaps you'll discover the key that unlocks a new level of productivity and effectiveness for your team!
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
As Martin Ramsay noted in earlier video blogs, helping get people to be explicit about their own mental models is a vital skill. People often have mental models about a given situation, process or goal, and these may even be mental models of which they are mostly unaware. When there are significant differences between mental models, conflict can arise. And people may not even understand the source of those conflicts because they are unaware of the underlying mental models — both in their own heads and in the heads of others.
Martin Ramsay discusses using a tool called mind mapping to draw those mental models out of people's heads and into the light where everyone can see and understand them. He demonstrates how to use the mind mapping tool and give one example application from his consulting work at CEATH Company.
What seems a bit out of line, over the top, or not quite right at your organization? What do your consulting instincts tell you about finding out more. Perhaps you'll discover the key that unlocks a new level of productivity and effectiveness for your team!
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Using Tools
November 25, 2013
What tools to you use in your work? How do they extend your capabilities for working, and working more effectively?
In this Blog, Martin Ramsay discusses using tools in getting work done. He encourages us to always be adding to our toolbox and to be learning how to use the tools we have even better.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
In this Blog, Martin Ramsay discusses using tools in getting work done. He encourages us to always be adding to our toolbox and to be learning how to use the tools we have even better.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.