• Tag Archives technology

  • Why Balance Between Humanity And Technology Matters

    Posted on by Tim

    For as good as technology is, it should always have a human focus. When we strip away the humanity, we end up losing the vibrancy of the human experience. By adding humanity back into the mix, we restore the balance between humanity and technology in our lives.

    I’m all for reducing the error margin that technology brings into our lives. Additionally, I see how much pain and suffering tech has removed from the lives of many people. My concern is how we are seeing people disconnecting from each other and not having healthy relationships.

    If tech enables a better, richer, more productive human experience, then it should be considered as a positive. If it only serves to damage and hurt people more often than not, then it should be avoided, not encouraged.

    Developing products and services using technology is a worthwhile pursuit. In my mind, much good has happened by continuing to evolve computing and software over the decades since computers were built.

    The Space Shuttle on display at the Air & Space Museum – https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center

    Finding the balance between

    There is no quick fix to this challenge. Easy answers cover the complexity under the issue.

    To start, look at technology as a tool. It’s not good or bad, just a way to achieve outcomes.

    Secondly, look for ways to test tech’s use:

    • Does this help me be a more effective?
    • Will this help others achieve desired outcomes?
    • Does this waste more time than create more time?
    • Will this improve communication, collaboration, and other human interactions?

    Finally, if question like the ones above are a next positive, then the technology probably is beneficial.

    I challenge you to take a look around. Look hard at your tech use. Be bold and ask yourself and others tough questions.

    If the answers you find disappoint, change your engagement. Because, you own technology, not the other way around.


    📂This entry was posted in Agile Technology 📎and tagged

  • No More Rainbows, Unicorns, Pixie Dust, And Wishful Thinking

    Posted on by Tim

    Technology will not fix problems. Problems come from processes or human relationships.

    I’m a recovering, well sort of recovering, tech geek. I see a new software tool or some tech hardware and I immediately start thinking I need it to make life better or easier. Over time, I’ve learned that it is a fallacy to believe this and it brings more challenges.

    How many times have you seen a new software or hardware tool get rolled out at work? One, two, three, or more times?

    Did that tool work flawlessly right from the start?

    If you answered honestly, you may have seen more sputtering starts to new tool adoption than zooming success. Blame the quick reference guides, the supporting instructions, the operating documents or whatever.

    A pile of satellite dish receivers and wiring
    Cleaning up a technology mess

    It’s time to stop blaming objects and start asking curious and honest questions.

    • Have we considered all the different ways the work might be done?
    • Have we asked for the HR department to work with us to understand how they do their work today?
    • What might we learn from watching Gemma, Mary, Ravi, and Ivan working together?

    As a technologist, I am scared when I consider the answers these questions might show.

    As a result, I am not foolish or naïve enough to believe anything can be fixed overnight. In fact, I’m reminded that Rome was not built in a day, a month, a year, or even a decade. Rome was built over 100s of years to what it is today.

    With that written, I’m going to get back to the opening. Again, technology will not fix problems. Listening and learning from the people who have the problems will go a long way to making better technology.

    Seems like yesterday

    Why do I say this? Because, it was a major issue over 20 years ago when the Agile Manifesto for Software Development was agreed to address the problems. We are better at building technology.

    I know we can be better still. And by that, I mean we can build better experiences alongside technology.

    We need to meet each other with empathy as humans being. We need to do more than hear each other, we need to deeply listen.

    Firstly, look at human interactions. Secondly, learn to understand how people work. Finally, build delightful products and services based on learning.

    Be bold, be courageous, be willing to fail (learning from the failure), and be humble enough to admit you’re wrong if you’ve acted on assumptions.

    I know that I have been wrong. As a result, it’s not bad to be wrong, it’s just humans being.


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  • I Was Blinded By Sound Then Technology Took Hold

    Posted on by Tim

    I was blinded by sound then technology took hold. Not literally blinded, but in the sense because sonar systems on submarines fascinated me and the sound was on full volume, wow! I must admit, the technology bug bit me when I was still in elementary school. How that happened is a post for another time.

    The official phrase is “acoustic analysis” for what I did as a sonar operator in the Navy onboard submarines. I stood sonar watch on the USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678) and the USS WYOMING (SSBN 742). I might have stood the watch onboard the USS OHIO (SSBN 726), my memory is fuzzy on that one.

    USS ARCHERFHISH 1992
    The USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678) in Groton, Connecticut, US

    Anyway . . .

    The technology used at the time was fascinating. In a sense, I was blinded by sound then the technology took hold because the sonar array took analogue noise and converted it into a digital signal. I could look at the noise on a display and “see” if it was harmless or a threat.

    This analogue to digital conversion was all it took to pull me into the information technology career field. I was completely unprepared for how fascinating the world of sonar and ACINT (acoustic intelligence) would be. The tech bug bit me harder and has never let go since then!

    For me, this was and still is, the intersection I can point to that set me on the path to find a solid career. My interests continue to orbit around technology, but with a twist. Now those interests consider the human factors involved in building technology.

    With that in mind, I’ll share more of my military technology experience in future posts. Hold on tight as this is just the beginning! You will be in for quite a ride!


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