Audrey Pasamba

Earned Value (EV) is one measure used to gauge how projects were effectively managed - budgeted time & cost against progress or actuals of these two components. This is done at the beginning of projects that uses estimations. Experienced project managers need to carefully examine declared estimates since this can make or break the final EV. When EV is included it usually provides for the necessary cadence of clear accountability on projects because activities, timelines, distinct responsibilities are laid out and clearly designated. Looks simple but it is rather a best practice principle that requires discipline and continued application. An individual who carries this out needs to have eagle eyes in every detail and aspect of a project, staying not just of top of everything but in most cases ahead of the game. Since this is a constant measure throughout the duration of a project, information and data is critical. When it is not available performance cannot be measure or inaccurately measured. Stability of the information and data sets is also a considered to come up with an accurate value.

Card sorting is something that I have limited experience with as compared to Affinity Diagram. Basis my experience the similarity with the two would be is that both as a method to sort information gained from different sources. Where they start to be different is from the information of their sources. Usually Affinity Diagram is used when you start organizing the output from brainstorming or ideation sessions conducted from a group or groups that has the intention of providing possible solutions to a predetermined problem or goal of any topic. On the other hand, card sorting is a method that sorts information that would but with the intention of categorizing and identifying patterns specific to technology - it's content, information and design. It is specific to a user interface and user experience. There are three different types of Card Sorting - open, closed and hybrid. In the Open Card sorting, this is where participants will categorize the information provided to them based on how they understand it. For the Closed Card sorting, categorized are predetermined. Hybrid Card sorting starts out with predetermined categories but at anytime a new category needs to be created then it is added. So far the type of Card Sorting that I have used would be the Closed Card sorting and Hybrid. We typically use it before we design the product for development or after we have deployed a tool. In both cases we want to get feedback on how the information and design would be best received by end users.