Track: Engineering Management

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine whether using screencasts and snapshots in an instructional workflow for new learners will lower the time required for them to create a data report. Our team examined the current workflow that a regional organization uses to teach new employees and redesigned it to include screencasts and snapshots, which allow the user to see what exactly needs to be done on a screen just like theirs. After the team created a version of the workflow, they assembled a control group and an experimental group, each of seven people. The control group used the original workflow to complete a data report, while the experimental group used the new workflow. For each individual workflow was timed and found the mean time of each group. On average, the experimental group was able to complete their data report about 2.66 minutes (8.5%) earlier than the control group, and the difference in times was statistically significant. The study team was also offered the opportunity to design a new office layout for that office space. The goal was to provide the organization with a design that allowed for synchronous work. The team researched various types of facility layouts and decided to base the design on a process layout. Ergonomics and other various standards were considered while redesigning the office layout. Through the proposed design, the study team was able to create a more collaborative space, which would allow employees to communicate more easily and efficiently.