Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2019. Read them in this 11th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
Contributed by Jessie D'Amato Ford, Topcoder Open Manager, Senior Topcoder Community Lead, Topcoder Inc.
Communities stay HOT in the COLD
Communities are critical to digital transformation. Both
business and IT sides of the house need platform and process input from
experienced technologists who eat, sleep and breathe their craft. Communities
not only build, design and manage, but they have a range of backgrounds that
make them invaluable to a project.
In 2019, companies can increase efficiency and productivity
by figuring out how to infuse top designers, developers and data scientists
into their teams, regardless of where they are on the planet. Recruitment and
retention strategies matter here, too (not just for those that put in face-time
at the office).
Community communication will be of utmost importance, as this skilled workforce
liaises between product teams, sales staff, users, other community members,
etc. Schedules can be flexible, but to effectively manage the virtual team,
project managers must clearly articulate the problem being solved, establish a
project roadmap, demand high quality content/specs/code and hold all (whether
on line or in person) accountable. Disorganization results in a lack of
community engagement.
The crowd is also an excellent sounding board for customers.
Use the community as a focus group/test case for ideas and it'll respond with
honest, innovative feedback. Tapping into global technology communities
worldwide will be viewed as a competitive advantage.
"Win the crowd." - Gladiator, 2000.
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About the Author
Topcoder is
a division of Wipro, a leading global
IT, consulting and business process services company. As the world's largest
community of designers, developers and data scientists (1.4+ million
in 190+ countries), Topcoder has
cornered the market on crowdsourced software development.
Jessie D'Amato Ford
manages its annual programming competition Topcoder Open (TCO)
and works closely with its global community of technologists.