ThoughtWorks

About: ThoughtWorks is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Agile software development & Extreme programming. The organization has 126 authors who have published 121 publications receiving 7310 citations.

Representing Information Across Channels

Abstract: Substantial progress has been made in using information architecture for different mediums and across different channels. NPR’s COPE System—Create Once, Publish Everywhere—is just one example of creating flexible content for cross-channel ecosystems, spanning data entry to presentation layer. In this position piece, I reflect on the relationship between content presentation and evolving hardware. I posit that information architecture is a key practice in rendering device agnostic content, exploring the ways in which the structural design of information helps to bring into being a near seamless experience for users mentally navigating different environments. I use three specific case studies from three different organizations—Amazon, NPR, and Facebook—so as to illustrate how the structuring of data was a critical aspect in representing information across channels.

Call for collaboration: computational musicology, ????, profit

Abstract: In this paper I examine the relationship that complexity theory and disjunctive sequences have to music, music-generating programs and literary works. I then apply these ideas by devising a program to generate an infinite ‘Copyright Infringement Song’ that contains all other songs within it. I adopt literary modes of analysis and presentation, which I motivate by arguing that music is a cultural and artistic phenomenon rather than a natural one.

Assessment of Motor Planning and Inhibition Performance in Non-Clinical Sample-Reliability and Factor Structure of the Tower of London and Go/No Go Computerized Tasks.

Abstract: In two studies, we examine the test-retest reliability and factor structure of the computerized Tower of London (TOL) and Go/No Go (GNG). Before analyses, raw results of variables that were not normally distributed were transformed. Study 1 examined the reliability of a broad spectrum of indicators (Initial Time Thinking, ITT; Execution Time, ET; Full Time, FT; Extra Moves, EM; No Go Errors, NGE; Reaction Time for Go Responses, RTGR) across an eight-week delay in a sample of 20 young adults. After correction for multiple comparisons and correlations, our results demonstrate that the tasks have ambiguous test-retest reliability coefficients (non-significant r for all indicators, and interclass correlation (ICC) for TOL; significant ICC for GNG; show lack of reliable change over time for all indicators in both tasks); moreover, ITT exhibits strong practice effects. Study 2 investigated both tasks’ factor structure and conducted a more detailed analysis of indicators for each trial (ITT, ET, EM) in the TOL task in the group of 95 young adults. Results reveal a satisfactory 2-factor solution, with the first factor (planning inhibition) defined by ITT, NGE, and RTGR, and the second factor (move efficiency) defined by EM and ET. The detailed analysis identified a 6-factor solution with the first factor defined by ITT for more difficult trials and the remaining five factors defined by EM and ET for each trial, reflecting move efficiency for each trial separately.

People driven technology solution: A Uganda example

Abstract: A major problem besetting sub Sahara Africa is the non-availability of information of the exact problem being faced by the people in rural areas. There have been serious efforts both by the government (local/international) and international donor agencies to tackle these problems head on by providing infrastructure development, affordable health care delivery and education of the populace. Despite all these efforts, little has been achieved in terms of impact of such initiatives on the populace. These failures can be attributed to the paucity of information about the actual needs of the people, the ineffective or misappropriation of resources due to corruption and inadequate monitoring of developmental projects. This paper seeks to aggregate disparate data from different sources and present it in a way that makes it possible for projects to be monitored. It will also allow for decision making by government and non-governmental organizations to be easy. The data is presented in a map showing efforts of each body on a regional level and even to the district level. This means feedback can be gotten from the people directly affected. This way, efforts can be directed to the exact area(s) they have identified. The performance of each project can also be evaluated while forensic analysis can be carried out on any seemingly failing project.