Tasmanian IT Blog   •   May 31, 2019

Each week, we post a “Take 5” article to our website with tips, tricks, thoughts and actions we’ve come across during the week that we feel you may benefit from too.

It’s designed to be short and sharp that you can read when you need to “Take 5”.

Grab a drink, give yourself a (productive) break and check out our latest 5 below.

1. Amara/Gates Law. 

“Most people overestimate what they can achieve in a year and underestimate what they can achieve in ten years.” It’s unclear exactly who first made that statement, when they said it, or how it was phrased. The most probable source is Roy Amara, a Stanford computer scientist. However, Bill Gates made a similar statement (possibly paraphrasing Amara), so it’s also known as Gates’s Law.

This short article is well worth a read and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Gates Law: How Progress Compounds and Why It Matters

Link: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0735214484/theatla05-20/

2. Don’t Re-invent The Wheel – Templates

In the process of getting things done, it is one thing to be efficient and another thing to be lazy.  In the delivery of projects, by definition, no two projects are the same.  But that doesn’t mean the process and framework is also unique, in fact – that is why we have project methodology.

With respect to project documentation – when fully developed, no two documents should be the same, and they are not transferable between projects.  However, that does not mean the document frameworks cannot be re-used effectively – hence the utilisation of Templates.

Project document templates are a smart way to ensure a specific project artifact has the correct structure, considers the right topics and allows the writer to focus on the unique components of the project when drafting the document.

We’ve provided three links below to sites with a range of project templates depending on your needs.  No one source will be perfect for your situation, so seek out a range of sources and get focused on your unique delivery.

Link (Tas Gov Templates): http://www.egovernment.tas.gov.au/project_management/supporting_resources/templates
Link (Prince2 Templates): http://prince2.wiki/PRINCE2_Templates
Link (Generic Templates): http://www.projectperfect.com.au/package/template-index.htm

3. Chatting with a ChatBot

With the rise in popularity of social media and text messaging, it’s not surprising that many customers prefer to bypass telephone customer service. Many companies offer chat windows that allow customers to get customer service immediately without spending time in the phone tree. But how do you feel about Chatbot Chatting?

Link: https://www.radio.com/news/chatbot-change-customer-service-game

4. Do you use a Fitness App? 

We do! well let’s be truthful, our MD does!  Did you know there is an app that will help you achieve the Chris Hemsworth six pack?  No neither did we but here is one writer’s story on his search of a Hollywood six-pack. The app is called Centr. Centr was founded by Chris Hemsworth, the Australian 35-year-old actor best known for portraying Thor Odinson – the hammer-toting God of Thunder in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. You can read the whole story of the six pack journey right here.  PS if it works please drop us a line!

Link: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/centr-app-review-fitness-chris-hemsworth

5. Quote of the week

“If you have an idea that you genuinely think is good, don’t let some idiot talk you out of it.”

— Stan Lee (on how Spiderman came to be)

Have a great week from the Tasmanian IT Team