Learning How to Learn

I've been taking an online course offered by Coursera that I'm really excited about:

Learning How to Learn

I find that many of the techniques discussed aren't really new to me. But now they are much more concrete as there is a "name" associated with them.  This helps reinforce when I should apply those techniques and in what circumstances.

For example, the course discusses focused vs. diffused modes of thinking.  I've found in daily life that taking a short break, such as a walk, helps organize my thoughts and make connections.  I now have a name for that.

This idea of having terminology associated with something I'm already doing isn't new.  Another example is Design Patterns.  When I first read this book I wondered why it was such a big deal.  But I realized that it helps establish a common set of terms I could use when discussing concepts with others.

I highly encourage you to take a look at Learning How to Learn - even if you've done well historically with learning new material.  It's great to know these techniques and put a "name to the face".

Employee Benefit - A Story

Recently the company I work at decided to purchase a Ping Pong table. There were many good reasons for this including a desire to get our various departments interacting with each other in an informal setting.

As you can imagine there are various Ping Pong tables available with different characteristics. Some of these "features" appeal to more experienced players versus beginners. Other characteristics are more operational in nature. For example, some Ping Pong tables can be folded and feature wheels. This doesn't affect how good the table is in terms of playability. But it definitely can help when you need to "live" with the table and don't want it taking up a lot of space when not playing.

This brings up an interesting point - what are the operational characteristics about a Ping Pong table that need to be considered? Browsing for Ping Pong tables can help as we may not think about the space requirements until we notice that some of them fold and that gets us thinking. But many times the operational characteristics aren't tied to a feature.

Ok, so back to our table. A few interesting things happened within a couple of weeks.

Set up of the table became more onerous as the novelty wore off.  The table is 2 separate halves and the net needs to be connected separately.

Space for the table.

Space for the table is limited.  Original location didn't work out as it's on a second floor outdoor balcony and the ball can easily bounce/roll off.

Half the table.  Balls easily escape.

Paddles are stored away in a separate room from the table.

Paddles/balls here.

Net is rolled up here.

Due to these issues the usage of the Ping Pong table has fallen off to virtually none after only a few weeks.

This should remind us that the operational characteristics are more important than the initial acquisition. This may be difficult to see up front, especially if you are in an environment where the acquisition can take weeks/months due to various process/budget reasons. But not examining the operational characteristics means that you've spent a lot of hard work to acquire something that doesn't meet your goals. In this case, the goal of getting various departments to interact is left unfulfilled.

But we have a nice folding Ping Pong table...  ;-)

Do you Think Operationally?

Let's start off with a simple exercise. I want you to answer 3 questions. For each question I want you to think of 3 things that you'll type. At the conclusion we'll review your answers. Don't worry, there aren't any time limits and your answers aren't being recorded.

To answer each question, click on them one by one. Answer each question before moving on to the next one.

Question 1

You're thinking of getting a new car. What are there first 3 things you think about?

Question 2

You're thinking of getting a cat. What are there first 3 things you think about?

Question 3

You've got a great idea for an internet startup. What are there first 3 things you think about?

Observation - Only reveal after answering Questions 1-3!

Now take a look at the answers you've entered. For each answer try to put it into one of two categories:

• It is a feature, characteristic or nuance.  Or it is something you only have to worry about once or initially.
• It is something you think about more than once or it affects you on an ongoing basis.

Now using my powers of deduction I'll make the following observations:

1. Regarding the car, your answer are mostly features
1. Color, size, heated seats, fuel economy, etc.
2. Regarding the cat, your answers are a mix of features and ongoing concerns
1. What breed, color, where to put the kitty litter, etc.
3. Regarding the startup, your answers are entirely features
1. What market segment, what features, what branding, etc.

Am I right?

The categories can be broadly thought of as non-operational and operational.  The first category are things you worry about once.  The second category is something you need to revisit or think about on an ongoing basis.

Now hopefully you had some "operational" answers mixed in with the "non-operational" ones.  This is a good sign.  It means that you are already thinking operationally!

I'd like to point out that we are all capable of thinking operationally.  When we were less experienced we only thought about "features".  But as we encounter new situations we learn to think operationally through experience.  Thus we can learn to think operationally about our software products, even before they go into production.

I hope this exercise helps on your path to making your teams more operationally aware!

Introduction

Welcome!

Here you'll find an occasional post on Operationalization.  First, you may be wondering what Operationalization means.  According to Merriam-Webster it is "to make operational".  What will I be making operational?  Well, I find the process of making software products/websites operational very interesting.  Typically it is a combination of culture and engineering practices.

Next, you may have seen the term "o16n".  What is that about?  If you count the number of letters in the word "operationalization" you'll find 18 letters.  Replace the middle 16 letters with "16" and you get "o16n"!  Much easier to type and say o16n.

I like to use analogies much of the time.  I find that a good analogy makes it easier to understand a concept.  And I like to use the Socratic method in order to make the learning process more engaging.

Your feedback is always appreciated!