Paper and Presentation 1 of 3: Gamification for Inclusive Teamwork and Leadership in Remote Settings
Abstract: The integration of technology platforms and tools has increased exponentially as a result of the emergency remote transition (ERT) of work and learning from traditional face to face environment to cloud platforms. This sudden transition changed the work and learning landscape forever, with a considerable portion of the workforce remaining hybrid or fully remote for the moment. In order to successfully support the workforce in remote capacity, while protecting the perimeter, systems, applications and data, there has to be an operational platform and processes in place to guarantee transparency in transactions and operations, and fostering positive team collaboration, support, and a clean working climate.
Gamification is an assistive tool used to foster inclusion, teamwork, collaboration and inspire learners and team members, including those with special needs to engage with the team and complete assigned tasks. The use of games allows visual and auditory prompts that support staying focused on the workstreams without feeling overwhelmed, ensuring the motivation and engagement in teamwork and leadership experiences between cross-functional teams, resulting on increased productivity and continuous process-improvement. The use of these tools helps support team members with diverse requirements or needing emotional support.
The awareness levels required to enforce observance and compliance of codes of conduct, diversity, inclusion, collaboration, tolerance, and transparency in project planning, design, execution, and delivery efforts, is a constant challenge. These provisions must be tailored to accommodate and address specific needs in highly technical programs or projects to meet and support the needs and expectations of teams of all levels. Organizations have technology platforms and tools in place, but it is essential to develop awareness and nurture an organizational culture of support and understanding from all management levels to foster integration, collaboration and integrated performance of cross-functional teams with team members with diverse needs.
Keywords: gamification, ethical practice, competencies, information technology
PMI Talent Triangle: Power Skills
Paper and Presentation 2 of 3: Improving the Enterprise Corporate Security Program for Lean Application and Data Governance
Abstract: In this modern work era of cross functional remote collaboration and distributed work environment, data matters, change is a constant, and improved user experience is a must to stay afloat in business and projects. As organizations rethink their business models amid the aftermath of the worldwide pandemic and recent natural disasters, projects to refine cloud and mobile-based solutions originally designed to stay in business during the lockdown are in process. Organizations, from small businesses, medium and even large organizations, had not time then to plan for contingencies and systematically transition to remote work. Of those organizations that were ready to continue operating with little or no effect on their operations, the impact was minimal, still changes in operations and service models needed to be made. These efforts resulted in the design, coding and deployment of applications, migrating data repositories and solutions over cloud and mobile platforms and services in a reactive mode, posing a high risk towards the health of operations, systems, application, and data. As organizations are redefining their new state of operations, cloud and mobile platforms will likely remain being part of the operations and service offerings. Data is a valuable asset for any organization, and there is a need to refine, redesign and reinforce controls and security provisions to protect the cyber work landscape. Organizations must take action, starting with the lessons learned from recent events, integrate new tools, processes and standards to strengthen applications and operations, secure data repositories, to guarantee a safe and reliable workspace and be ready for a quick response in the event of future emergencies.
This study intends to explore the integration of DevSecOps to optimize the production and service chain, reinforce cybersecurity controls and introduce the data governance structure for secure application and data processing in mobile and cloud-environments.
PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of Working
Paper and Presentation 3 of 3: Performance Metrics and Indicators for Productive Collaboration in Remote Settings
Abstract: Remote project collaboration is the new normal in many organizations as a result of recent events that forced organizations to switch to remote work and experienced operating-cost savings and diversification opportunities. But not all teams or resources perform as expected reason why clear and precise metrics and key performance indicators that could serve as baseline data for projects/teams’ productivity, collaboration and work climate health at a distance. In this paper/session we will explore key metrics, rubrics and KPI’s needed for a reliable, effective, and secure work environment. We will review productivity and data analytic tools that support program and project managers keep track of productivity and flow of collaborations, in support of monitoring and managing project phases, sprints, tasks and work packages, team efficiency, and quality of deliverables. With these metrics, measures for improvement and corrective actions can be applied and managed proactively to prevent them from escalating and hurting project progress, impacting schedule and budget, or even putting the project(s) at risk. Recommendations for metrics and KPI’s framework, data collection, analysis and management are presented and discussed.
PMI Talent Triangle: Business Acumen
Biography: Sandra Fonseca is a cybersecurity, IT audit, project and operations management, statistics, and accounting professor, program director, and instructional content developer. Her specializations are in information technology, risk management, IT audit, cybersecurity, statistics and data modeling, operations, and project management. Dr. Fonseca has over 30 years of experience in the IT cybersecurity, data governance, and project management field, both in state and federal government, as well as over 26 years in academia, where she has served as instructor, curriculum and assessment lead, as well as program director for MSIT and Cybersecurity programs. Dr. Fonseca holds a doctoral degree in business with a specialization in Management Information Systems (DBA-MIS). She’s currently working on her dissertation towards a second doctoral degree in Education with a specialization in Instructional Design (EdD-ID-ABD). She’s an advocate for professionalization, the reason why she has collaborated and served as a volunteer and board member at the board of directors for local chapters in Puerto Rico for ISACA, ISSA, and PMI. In Washington DC she’s a volunteer for the Washington DC chapter of ISACA, and PMI.
