Digital Work in an

Analog WorldImproving Software Engineering by Applied Psychology

By Dilini Prasangika

20/02/2013

Road Map

1• Introduction

2• Software Engineering Process

3• What is Psychology?

4• Taxonomy of Psychology

5• Improving Software Engineering through Applied Psychology

6• Psychological Tips To Improve Your Work Life…

7• Tips To Achieve Work Life Balance…

Digital Work in an Analog World

Focusing on the psychological aspects and practices relevant for engineers

Why?

Developing Software has more to do with people than computers

To improve Software Engineering Practices through Applied Psychology

Target Audience Project Managers, Software Architects, Software Engineers,

DBAs, Business Analysts, Software QA Engineers, and other management people that participate in software development in one form or another.

What is Software Engineering?

Application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the design, development, operation, and maintenance of software, and the study of these approaches – Wikipedia

It includes; Requirements Gathering -> Product Backlog Refinements Planning & Estimation Analysis, Design and Implementation Testing Reviews & Releases

Software Engineering Process

Simply, Software Engineering Process is a Shared Responsibility towards a common goal

Psychology What is Psychology?

Psychology Is the Study of the Mind and Behavior Comes from a Greek word

Psyche -> “Breathe, Spirit, Soul”

Logia -> “study of”

Psychology

Basic Psychology Applied Psychology

AbnormalBehavioral

Neuroscience

Cognitive

Developmental

Experimental

Mathematical

Personality

Social

Positive Psychology

Clinical

Educational

Forensic

Health

Human Factors (Engineering) &

ErgonomicsIndustrial &

Organizational

Occupational Health

School

Software Engineering

Applied Psychology

Applied Psychology is the use of psychological principles and theories to overcome problems in other areas, such as mental health, business management, education, health, product design, engineering, ergonomics and law.

Cognitive Psychology

Is the branch of psychology that explores internal states including attention, thinking, and decision-making. Problem Solving, Decisions, Creativity

Personality Psychology

Is focused on the patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make a person unique Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviors, Attitudes of an individual

Social Psychology

Is concerned with how social phenomena influence us and how people interact with others Group behavior, social perception, leadership, nonverbal

behavior, conformity, aggression and prejudice Focus on situations, rather than individual characteristics &

thoughts

Industrial – Organizational Psychology

Is a branch of psychology that applies psychological theories & principles to organizations Workplace behavior, Workplace productivity, Work Life,

Human Computer Interaction

Improving Software Engineering by Applied Psychology

How they relate each other? Software production is a result of human activities, which often include

problem-solving capabilities, cognitive aspects, and social interaction. Human beings are more complicated & less predictable than computers Greater awareness of themselves and others can positively influence their

work

Organizations should consider applying the principles of psychology and improved soft skills to promote better software engineering outcomes.

Psychological Factors in Software Engineering Individual Personality towards team work Personal Attitude towards work productivity Individual Leadership towards team collaboration & team work Problem Solving, Creativity, Decision Making towards shared responsibility

How Geveo promotes applying psychological aspects to Software Engineering???

Working environment which promotes open communications Agile Scrum methodology

Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

Fullest co-operation for psychological safety Ability to learn and try new things

Encourage collaboration through commitment Project Work

Discussions and meetings where everyone is involving to everything

Building confidence about ourselves and on what we are doing

Extra curricular activities Individual Presentations, Quizzes, Toast Masters, Team Outings

Psychological Tips To Improve Your Work Life…

Get Motivated Improve your leadership skills Become a better Communicator Learn to Better Understand Others Make More Accurate Decisions Improve your Memory Make Wiser Financial Decisions Get Better Grades Become More Productive Encourage collaboration through commitment Willingness to change & Adaptability Be Healthier“My Responsibility is to get my twenty five guys playing for the

name on the front of their shirt and not the one on the back” - Tommy Lasorda, Manager of LA Dodgers Baseball Team

Tips To Achieve Work Life Balance…

Limit your work time Make time for others Only work in your office Turn off the phone Have fun hobbies Don’t feel guilty Make time to accomplish non-work related goals Don’t think about work when you are not working Do something for others

Start now…..

So…

Enjoy your work life as well as your personal life and keep focus on what matters most and love what you do……

References

http://elegantcode.com/2008/06/09/psychology-and-software-development/

http://appliedpsychology.tumblr.com/ http://psychology.about.com/ http://

www.lumosity.com/app/v4/personalization/surveys/training-program/survey_categories/your-memory/user_survey_responses/new

http://www.lumosity.com/landing_pages/188?gclid=CMK6oMjbsLUCFVAa6wod1kMAow

http://www.smashwords.com/extreader/read/99992/2/digital-work-in-an-analog-world

http://gsocialbuzz.blogspot.com/2011/09/cognitive-dissonance-why-social.html

Thank You! Any Questions?