Interoperability Standards for an Effective Workforce By Andrea S. Gaboriault Software interoperability is one thing, but how do we develop standards for improving interoperability between people? Back when I went to school, I used to hate it when my teachers assigned group projects. No matter how much I tried to encourage the members in my group, I inevitably wound up bearing the brunt of the workload, often pushed into the role of organizer or leader, which I did not welcome, as that meant even more work for me. And always in the end, we each received the same grade. The unfairness of the entire experience made me miserable. In the professional world, addressing that sense of unfairness—whether real or perceived—is challenging. Developing standards for training that addresses teambuilding and efficient workflows can help. Generally, people are highly receptive to accepting direction when their role in the process is clearly defined. After all, understanding expectations is key to meeting goals and deadlines. Team Building Nowadays, you can find countless services that provide team building exercises. Whether you stay in the office and practice 20 www.cadlearning.com trust falls or provide an all-expenses day off in Bermuda, promoting team unity is beneficial. People want to know they can rely on each other to get their part of the job done. And with that, if you cultivate a culture of learning and cooperation, you will find yourself amongst colleagues, not just coworkers. Using IT Systems There’s a saying you’ve probably heard: Technology is great—when it works. As design and engineering professionals, we rely so completely on our computer systems, we really do work at the mercy of technology. And when something does go on the fritz, make sure the extension of your IT department is pre-progammed into the phone. Just knowing who to call when hardware and software issues arise is empowering, especially to new hires. I think we can all appreciate the value of a talented IT professional, so be sure to thank them on a regular basis. I hear they like chocolate. Adoption of New Technologies or Workflows Providing the tools and resources necessary to do a job is also an integral part of interoperability standards. Tasks can be completed much more efficiently when people have the correct tools and the knowledge and skills to use them. Ensuring