Software Design Smorgasbord: Productive Workplaces Page

One of ten pages from Craig Marion's Software Design Smorgasbord. The others are:

If you take a step back from improving the usability of software and supporting workers in the performance of their work, it's apparent that environmental factors (many of which are addressed by human factors disciplines such as ergonomics), the broader climate in which work is performed, the structure of worklife, and the well-being of individual workers are all significant factors in overall productivity. Together, these concerns are often called Quality of Work Life (QWL). QWL factors are fundamental to understanding and leveraging productivity.

The title of this page comes from Marv Weisbord's book (Bibliography, 1987), the subtitle of which is "Organizing and Managing for Dignity, Meaning, and Community." This dimension of performance, to my mind, complements the other issues addressed on this site. This page also contains information on the field of e-learning and resources for telecommuting and finding work using the Web.

Organizational Sites

Especially Recommended
Work & Family Connection	"The nation's only clearinghouse of information about work-life issues and practices." The site contains a great deal of information. Well worth a visit. (Posted 7/98)
International Society for Performance and Instruction	This group has been a strong proponent of performance being the key to workplace productivity for years. (Posted 5/97)
International Telework Association and Council	Founded in 1993, ITAC is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the growth and success of work independent of location. On January 1, 2005, WorldatWork acquired all of the assets of ITAC and ITAC is now identified as ITAC, the Telework Advisory Group for WorldatWork. This is their resources page; this is news and events. (Posted 7/05)
TheInfiniteGames.org	"This site is intended to serve those organizational leaders and practitioners committed to transformational change - at all levels, from personal to global - but with a special emphasis on transforming organizations." Stimulating and important ideas, attractively presented. See, for example, this Palette of Possibilities. Via Internet Time Blog. (Posted 8/05)
Other Selected Sources
Workplace Fairness	"A non-profit organization helping to preserve and promote employee rights. This website provides information about job rights and employment issues around the country and in all 50 states. It is for workers, employers, advocates, policymakers, journalists, and anyone else who wants to understand, protect, and strengthen workers' rights." (Posted 6/07)
Take Back Your Time	"A major U.S./Canadian initiative to challenge the epidemic of overwork, over-scheduling and time famine that now threatens our health, our families and relationships, our communities and our environment." This is their newsletter. (Posted 6/07)
universal usability.org	"Universal usability involves understanding how users attempt to accomplish tasks using a variety of technologies in different organizational and social contexts. And researchers and practitioners have a wide range of approaches and methods available to apply to this range of user-system interactions." (Posted 4/02)
International Mentoring Organization	"We can help YOU create a highly effective mentoring program, develop & support quality mentoring practice, increase retention, learning, and performance, and build a more productive learning organization." These are the public Web pages. (Posted 2/06)
The E-Learning Framework	An international effort to integrate computer systems with learning. This is the framework and these are some supporting papers. (Posted 11/05)
RSI-Center	A Reptitive Strain Injuries information center, with discussions, risk and diagnostic tests, book reviews, and categorized links. The center is located in Holland. (Posted 4/99, links updated 1/01)
Trace Research & Development Center	Mission: "To advance the ability of people with disabilities to achieve their life objectives through the use of communication, computer and information technologies." (Posted 9/98)
Erognomics in Australia	"Interesting, free information about ergonomics and safety." See especially How to sit at a computer, which includes an Office Ergonomics Checklist. (Posted 5/06)
NIOSH	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Large compendium of resources. (Posted 9/98)
Work to Live	Site supporting the book Work to Live: The Guide to Getting a Life by Joe Robinson. Look at this chart showing paid vacation days mandated by law around the world (and in all industrialized countries except one). This is their links page. (Posted 7/04)
BrainPool	"An international network and learning community for people exploring new ways of working and being. Our members are accountants, architects, designers, consultants, senior managers - people who are very good at what they do and who share our commitment to creating a generous network for sharing ideas and opportunities." Based in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Posted 5/97)
OD Network	Organizational Development Network. "Supports its members in their work in human, organization, and systems development." Offers leadership and scholarship. (Posted 5/97, Link Updated 9/00)
Alliance for Lifelong Learning	"Remember the excitement and challenge of intellectual pursuit in the company of inspiring professors and fellow students? The Alliance for Lifelong Learning, a joint venture by Oxford, Stanford and Yale, seeks to renew that sense of discovery by offering an array of programs conducted by some of the world's most distinguished educators." The learning guides are excellent (such as this one on impressionism and post-impressionism. (Posted 7/02)
Idea Watch	An online and face-to-face community of professionals who want to find, create, and implement new ideas. See also this presentation by Jennifer Square and Heidi Hansen. (Posted 9/02)

Conferences

Past Conference Sites Still of Interest
Golden Fleece Presents 5th Annual International Conference	May 5, 2007. Chevy Chase, Maryland. This organization focuses on Storytelling in Business and Organizations. The theme of the conference is Storytelling in Conversations. This is the program. (Posted 5/07)
i3 Conference 2000	Sept. 13-15, 2000. Joenkoeping, Sweden Building Tomorrow Today: Community, design and technology. The conference will examine the symbioses of new technologies with innovative design and will give special importance to social and participatory approaches to systems engineering and to experiential and action research. Sponsored by the European Network for Intelligent Information Interfaces (i3net). The 186-page proceedings are online. (Posted 3/00, Updated 12/00)

Commercial Sites

High Performance Team Home Page	"A resource for businesses and organizations interested in harnessing the power of teams to achieve business objectives." From the head coach of high performance teams at EDS. (Posted 5/97)
Ergoweb, Inc.	"A full service occupational ergonomics company, providing innovative software solutions, professional consultation and training, and valuable, credible information to a world-wide audience. See especially their news and resourcespages. (Posted 7/98, Updated 11/04)
Quality of Work Life in HHS	From the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services. The multi-faceted Quality of Worklife program initiated by Donna Shalala. (Posted 5/98)
Telecommuting and teleworking	Gil Gordon Associates' site "consolidates a wide variety of telecommuting information from around the world, and from many different perspectives, on the subjects of telecommuting, teleworking, the virtual office." (Posted 6/97)
Allscan Distributors, Inc.	This firm maintains a very useful ergonomics site. The Ergonomics at Work page focuses on posture and visual issues. The Ergonomic Solutions page showcases the products they distribute. The site also contains a list (non-annotated) of ergonomic links. (Posted 9/99)
brandon-hall.com	Dr. Brandon Hall monitors of Web-based training. The mission of his organization is "to provide you with business-critical, independent information about the technology-based training industry so you can make the right decisions for your organization. Strong Links to Web-Based Training Sites. (Posted 11/99)
The Virtual Thinking Expedition Company	"We take groups on adventures with their minds, leading them through the unknown with the 7 Levels of Change. They bring back new perspectives and very different results. It works." A feature article on this company appeared in Fast Company. (Posted 2/00)
A Better Workplace	Wide range of resources organized by keyword. Features online courses. (Posted 4/01)

Academic & Research Sites

Encyclopedia of Educational Technology	A comprehensive resource on educational technology. Look at the Table of Contents. From San Diego State University. (Posted 5/07)
Futurelab	"By bringing together the creative, technical and educational communities, Futurelab is pioneering ways of using new technologies to transform the learning experience." Their projects are profiled in their showcase. and their publication, Vision is well worth investigating. (Posted 8/06)
Helen Hamlyn Research Center	This center incorporates DAN (Design for Ageing Network). It's main themes are Age - design effects of an ageing population Work - design impact of changing patterns of work Mobility - new design thinking on mobility for all Care - design that addresses the needs of disabled people. (Posted 2/07)
eLearners.com	"College search for 1000+ online degrees, online colleges & online universities They also have a free, downloadable Guide to Online Education. (Posted 3/07)
IWSP at Cornell University	Cornell University, New York. International Workplace Studies Program "conducts research on the ecology of new ways of working. The intent is to help organizations gain a competitive advantage by better understanding how innovative workplace strategies contribute to the effectiveness of individuals, teams, and the organization as a whole." (Posted 5/97)
Center for Collaborative Organizations	Formerly The Center for the Study of Work Teams is based at the University of North Texas and was created for the purpose of education and research in all areas of collaborative work systems. (Posted 5/97, Updated 12/03)

Online Papers & Articles

Hacking Knowledge: 77 Ways to Learn Faster, Deeper, and Better	"Here are 77 tips related to knowledge and learning . . . A few are specifically for students in traditional learning institutions; the rest for self-starters, or those learning on their own. Happy learning." (Posted 1/07)
FREE eBooks from The eLearning Guild	From time-to-time we ask Guild members from around the world to give us their best tips for managing various aspects of e-Learning. After we collect these tips, we edit and publish them as a gift for all our industry colleagues. Guild eBooks are FREE for anyone and do not require Guild membership. (Posted 2/07)
Ideas and Articles by Marc Rosenberg	Articles and videos on e-learning and organizational learning as well as knowledge management and performance improvement. (Posted 2/06)
White Papers on Key Issues in E=Learning	From Epic, a leading U.K. e-learning producer. (Posted 7/06)
Overview of the People Capability Maturity Model	by Bill Curtis, William Hefley, and Sally Miller. Discusses the People Capability Maturity Model (P-CMM), which adapts the SEI's Capability Maturity Model to managing and developing an organization's work force. (Posted 12/98)

Online Periodicals & Zines

Especially Recommended
Fast Company	"How Smart People Work." See especially their online guides, which are "collections of our best articles, hand picked by our editors from our Web-exclusive features and archived stories from the magazine. Whether you're looking for new ideas on leadership, career, or innovative strategies to improve your team and your self, let us be your guide." (Posted 9/04)
Wired Magazine	"The voice of the digital revolution." (Posted 5/97)
eLearn Magazine	ACM's eLearn Magazine offers sections on Design, Technology, Usability, Business, and Culture. Also Best Practices, Case Studies, Tutorials and more. (Posted 3/08)
Other Selected Sources
Linezine	An independent e-magazine that represents the best thinking on learning, performance, and knowledge. The current theme is Organizational Readiness in Turbulent Times. Take a look at the many articles and interviews on this theme, or explore one of the other themes. (Posted 5/06)
Learning. For a change.	Dr. Michael Allen's ezine. Dr. Allen is the guiding force behind Allen Interactions and author of Michael Allen's Guide to e-Learning, which remains my favorite book on the topic. (Posted 9/06)
ManageSmarter	(The online home of Training, Presentations, and several other publications. (Posted 9/06)

Presentations

Interview with Etienne Wenger on Communities of Practice	Etienne Wenger is one of the founding fathers of Social Learning Theory and the concept of "Practiced Communities". The presentation is in organized into titled segments, each of which launches a small video. Via learningpost. (Posted 8/05)
Innovations in E-learning	Symposium at George Mason University in June of 2005. Streaming video and downloadable audio of 14 presentations on cutting-edge e-learning. A good place to begin is Jay Cross's presentation on Workflow Learning. (Posted 2/06)
Macromedia eLearning Recorded Seminars	"View these recorded webinars where industry experts discuss real-world e-learning issues, strategies, and best practices." (Posted 7/06)
Transitions in Advanced Learning Presentations - Fall 2005	PowerPoint presentations presenting a state-of-the-art view of e-learning in Canada from a conference sponsored by OCRI, Ottawa's leading economic development agency. (Posted 7/06)
elearning lectures	By Curtis J. Bonk, Ph.D. PDFs of many of Dr. Bonk's presentations.(Posted 7/06)

Portals & Weblogs

Especially Recommended
elearningpost	"Corporate Learning, Community Building, Instructional Design, Knowledge Management, and more." (Posted 7/02)
Stephen's Web	Stephen Downes is a specialist in online learning, content syndication, and new media. Threads lists the 20 most recent comments to his posts. These are the archives of the daily postings. (Posted 10/03, Updated 5/07)
Internet Time Blog	Jay Cross's perceptive and widely informed takes on developments in a grat many areas; probably the richest collection of blog entries by a single author I'm aware of. See especially the eLearning jump page, the Workflow Institute, and the Center for Visual Learning. Here are some of Jay's presentations. Jay has also launched an Internet Time Wiki that enables you to search entries on the Internet Time blog and Informal Learning blog over the past eight years. (Posted 3/01, Updated 8/07)
Big Dog's ISD Page	A complete Instructional System Design (ISD) manual for implementing a training program. See also Big Dog's Human Resource Development Page, Big Dog's Leadership Page, and Big Dog's Performance Coaching Page. And don't miss the Big Dog's HRD Link Page . It's excellent. By Don Clark. (Posted 3/99)
Creating Passionate Users	Challenging, stimulating, sometimes brilliant. Information presentation is state-of-the-art, too. My favorite so far is Don't ask employees to be passionate about the company! Bravo. (Posted 3/07)
geteducated.com	“The safest place in cyberspace to shop for your online degree." Lots of links to online education providers, updated monthly in the Virtual University Gazette. Don't miss the Articles and Resources for Distance Learners. (Posted 3/99, Updated 12/03)
YouCanWork FromAnywhere.com	"We are dedicated to providing you with information, tips, tools, articles, ideas and other resources to help improve the productivity of telecommuters, mobile workers, road warriors and home-based workers." (Posted 12/00)
The Workplace Blog	"This group blog includes news, trends, commentary, events and emerging technologies affecting the enterprise workplace and intranets, extranets, portals and web applications in particular. Via InfoDesign. (Posted 5/06)
InnovationTools!	"The best resources for business innovation, creativity and brainstorming." (Posted 5/03)
Kolabora.com	News on online collaboration, with additional pages on web conferencing, video conferencing, virtual teams, and web presentations. See also MasterNewMedia Network News and Masterviews International, which focuses on PowerPoint presentations. All of these are maintained by Robin Good. (Posted 9/06)
E-Learning Queen	By Susan Smith Nash. An exploration of training and education from instructional design to the construction and implementation of entire learning solutions. See also Susan's archived articles and podcasts. (Posted 7/06)
NewRetirement.com	NewRetirement is dedicated to helping people concerned about retirement find the information they need to create a secure retirement plan. (Posted 4/07)
Self Improvement On Line	Click on Complete Directory to find listing on topics such as Accelerated Learning, Assertiveness Training, Creativity Enhancement, Goal Setting, Leadership Skills, Relaxation, Stress Management, Time Management, and lots more. (Posted 4/99)
Mind Tools	"Mind Tools outlines important life and career skills in easy to understand language. These are supported by simple examples and exercises that you can try out in your spare time." (Posted 2/04)
learnativity.com	A rich, wide-ranging site. I'd suggest beginning with Wonderful Articles, where topics like balancing life, community, and creativity complement knowledge management and interface design. Speaking has a variety of presentations, including introductions. (Posted 5/99, updated 8/02)
lifehack.org	"Daily digest and pointer on productivity, getting things done and lifehacks." See especially Essential Resources for Creativity. Via xBlog. (Posted 9/05)
Other Selected Sources
Lifehacker	"Computers make us more productive. Yeah, right. Lifehacker recommends the software downloads and web sites that actually save time. Don't live to geek; geek to live." Look at these free educational resources. Via Dave Gray's Xblog. (Posted 9/06)
Future of Work Weblog	"Visit here regularly for ongoing reports and conversations related to the changing nature of work. Our goal is to foster community, conversation, and mutual learning about the future of work and the forces driving change." (Posted 2/07)
FreePint	"FreePint is a global network of people who find, use, manage and share work-related information. Members receive this free twice-monthly newsletter, packed with tips, features and resources." (Posted 1/07)
Will at Work Learning	"Will Thalheimer's research-based commentary on learning, performance, and the industry thereof." (Posted 8/06)
Full Circle Online Interaction Blog	"A place to capture and share ideas and links about online interaction, community, distance learning, distributed COPS from Full Circle Associates" (Nancy White). This is Nancy's Resources page. See especially her bookshelf. (Posted 11/05)
Ageless Learner	"Ageless Learner is a consultancy and think-tank focused on making the most of your life, your work, your family, or your studies no matter your age, education, or occupation." (Posted 3/07)
Collaboration Tools	A collection of sites with vendors of collaboration tools. By Denham Grey. See also his page on Distance Learning Tools. (Posted 1/04)
WhyNot.net	"How to Use Everyday Ingenuity to Solve Problems Big and Small" Lots of suggestions and opportunities for dialog. The Related Websites is fun, too. (Posted 12/03) Via Beth's Mazur's IDBlog .
Ability Hub	"Assistive Technology for people with a disability who find operating a computer difficult, maybe even impossible. This web site will direct you to adaptive equipment and alternative methods available for accessing computers." (Posted 3/02)
Healthy Workplace	Tale a look at the Canadian Healthy Workplace Criteria. "The Criteria brings together environmental, physical, mental, safety and social issues into a strategic model that helps organizations set goals and manage their wellness programs." From Canada's National Quality Institute. (Posted 12/02)
WorkIndex	A broad and rich compendium of information on work-related topics from Cornell University's School of Industrial Labor Relations and Human Resource Executive magazine. (Posted 5/99)
CUErgo	Cornell Ergonomics Web. "Ways to improve comfort, performance and health through the ergonomic design of products and environments." businesses. (Posted 7/98)

Miscellaneous Information

Especially Recommended
The Contract Employees Handbook	Assistance in finding assignments, increasing earnings, dealing with employment agencies, building a benefits package, and other pertinent information. Sponsored by the Professional Association of Contract Employees. (Posted 12/01)
Elearning Samples	By Cathy Moore. "This page links to samples of interactive graphics, simulations, and other materials that could give you ideas for your own projects." The page contains over 35 links. See also Cathy's slideshow Dump the Drone for her perspective on making elearning interesting. Via E-Learning Post. (Posted 12/07)
Other Selected Sources
CustomerService.gov	"A resource for information on the American Customer Satisfaction Initiative, the coordinating element in the Federal Government's quest to provide service equal to the best achieved in the private sector." Home of the American Customer Satisfaction Index. (Posted 11/03)
The Thinking Page	Five sections: systems thinking, creativity, cybernetics, cognition, and reflexions. (Posted 6/07)
LinkedIn	An "online network of more than 10 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 130 industries. When you join, you create a profile that summarizes your professional accomplishments. Your profile helps you find and be found by former colleagues, clients, and partners." (Posted 5/07)
MindMeister	"MindMeister brings the concept of mind mapping to the web, using its facilities for real-time collaboration to allow truly global brainstorming sessions. Users can create, manage and share mind maps online and access them anytime, from anywhere." (Posted 8/07)
MBTI Complete	For the first time, you can (for a fee) take the complete Myers-Briggs personality type assessment, verify your personality types, and receive an interpretation online. For a quick, free, computer-scored Myers Biggs profile, see this link from Human Metrics. For a description of the MBTI and its value, see Elizabeth Buie's Personality and System Development: What's the Connection?. For another (humorous) take on the personality types, see Not Your Typical Myers Briggs Personality Type (Posted 8/07, Updated 9/07)
Technologies for Learning	From the Australian Flexible Learning Community. (Posted 10/05)
Project Management Tools Directory	"The leading reference site for the information needs of information technology project managers and support staff traveling to, starting up, and working on remote, dispersed or virtual projects." (Posted 6/07)
Performance Improvement	Stages, Steps, and Tools. "A revised edition of Performance Improvement Stages, Steps and Tools, first issued in print form in 2000." From the IntraHealth International/PRIME II Project. (Posted 1/06)
2collab	"2collab is a social bookmarking site where you can store and organize your favorite internet resources - such as blogs, websites, research articles, and more. Then, in private or public groups you can decide to share your bookmarks with others"via InfoDesign Via InfoDesign. (Posted 9/07)
The Personality Page	A website about Psychological Type, based primarily upon the works of Carl G. Jung and Isabel Briggs Myers. Free online version of the Myers Briggs Personality Inventory. (Posted 6/03)
Hard@work	"Where job problems get right-sized before your very eyes."
planetfeedback.com	Tell corporate America what you really think about its products and services. Fire off a letter in seconds and get results with PlanetFeedback! Performance support for writing your letter! Clever. (Posted 4/00)
WebABLE!	The authoritative Web directory for disability-related internet resources. (Posted 7/98)
Personality: Character and Temperament	The web site for the Keirsey Temperament Sorter and Keirsey Temperament Theory, which is a variant of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). An personality diagnosis tool, the temperament sorter, is available online, as our explanations of the 16 types. (Posted 7/99)
The Editorium	Hundreds of tips on how to use Word effectively. (Posted 3/06)

Bibliography

Robinson, J., 2003. Work to Live: The Guide to Getting a Life.
Reich, R., 2001. The Future of Success. Knopf. (Posted 2/01)
Robinson, J., 2003. Learning Spaces. An e-book. "Space, whether physical or virtual, can have a significant impact on learning. Learning Spaces focuses on how learner expectations influence such spaces, the principles and activities that facilitate learning, and the role of technology from the perspective of those who create learning environments." Via elearningpost. (Posted 11/06)
Rosen, R., 1991. The Healthy Company. New York: Putnam. (Posted 5/97)
Staker, D., 1997. Rapid Problem Solving with Post-It Notes. Fisher Books. (Posted 6/06)
Weisbord, M., 1987. Productive Workplaces: Organizing and Managing for Dignity, Meaning, and Community . San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. (Posted 5/97)