Collaboration

[Luke]

One of aspects I most want to get out of the AAA is a higher level of
collaboration and contact with organisations.

I have a proposal and am interested in hearing if others are
interested in participating. It is that a group of companies (~10)
visit each of those companies on a periodic basis (ie every 1 or 2
months).

Responsibilities of the hosting company
- organise the visit
- depending on the time of day provide a morning tea/lunch/afternoon
tea
- provide a tour of the facility, introduction of the host company
- run a forum for the attendees

Responsibilities of the visitors
- participate in the forum
- be willing to host in the future

My motivation for organising a group like this is that too often we
work in isolation. Events like the conference give us the opportunity
to reflect. This group would provide the opportunity for each of the
participants to reflect on both the host companies environment/process
and their own. You get to walk around the premises of a company
similar to your own and learn from what they do well, they too can
learn from you reflections.

The model is built largely on what already happens in the company I
work for in the manufacturing area. They have used this model
successfully for quite some time and have found useful improvements
and benefits. I have lent heavily on them for suggestions and
information.

The forum ... what would it be about. Well, I have two suggestions
but it would basically be up to the host company to decide what it
would gain most benefit from. They are after all doing the hosting.
Two suggestions are
- 3+3, 3 things you like about the host company you saw on the
walkaround, 3 things you can suggest as an improvement
- discussion on a topic picked by the host company. eg Continuous
Integration, Design Strategies, ... The list is endless and would be
something that would benefit all but more importantly beneficial to
the host company.

So, are you interested? If so you're welcome to email me (my work
email is below) and let me know if you'd like to participate. If I
get enough interest and we go ahead I would volunteer Varian as the
first host company. Given the time of the year it would likely be
late Jan at the earliest.

Any other comments/reflections welcome.

Luke Visser
luke....@varianinc.com

[Luke]

Damn should have said. Varian is Melbourne based. Can't see too many
bosses okaying a trip to Melbourne for a site tour however good it
turns out to be. Of course, if you're from another city and want to
do something similar, you're welcome.

Luke