Team Dynamics

1. Lanh said, “It would be really bad if we have a great idea but are unable to execute it successfully”. What are your views? Which is more important - the idea or the execution? Why?

In long term, the most important thing is the people themselves, as great people will definitely have great idea and also good products. Even though there is no resources, in long term base, there are always ways to outsource or attract the right people on board.

In short term, actually idea and people are equally, more exactly whether the people have technical ability to execute the idea well and whether the idea is brilliant and needed. 

2. What have you learnt about Facebook so far?

This is basically a broad question, "learnt" in terms of what aspect? The product of their team? 

What I have learnt about Facebook is that the founder Zuckerberg has a Chinese wife to help him to open China market. This shows that  he is a long-term oriented person. ( Haha kidding)

Besides what Jeremy mentioned in lecturer, execution matters, idea also important. 

People  always compare Friendster and Facebook. Actually you compare the design base, you will realize that Facebook loss out in design of layout compared to Friendster. What makes Facebook win? The most important unique selling point is that Facebook is more function based, which focused on the NEED of connectivity of everyone, which is more like "consumer product" in the IT world. 

So far my understanding for Facebook is not very deep, what I knew about them is that they are very people oriented, which means they really put a lot of focus on people. And they ways to stretch their people to get good ideas and then work on it. That is why in long term they will still manage Facebook well, the only change may be their business model and products.

3. Comment on the ideas for Another Life and Fan Gang.

Personally speaking i feel Another Life is just another Sims. What is the value add for the player? Why do people want to use Another Life? Since the answers to these questions are not clearly explained in the assignment, then i assume this is a game app. If this is a game app, the artistic design is very important. It is like a brainless woman, who must have outstanding appearance to appeal to men.

Fan Gang seems more useful compared to Another Life in terms of socializing. But the value add is very minimal as it will just be another Friendster. We always need to question why users will use Fan Gang over its competitors? The unique selling point is not strong enough to attract or keep users.

4. Should the team have changed their idea for the Final Project mid-way or stuck to their original idea? Why, or why not?

Since the team has invested so much effort in Another Life, I think they should continue with another way but may be a simpler version and focus on providing value add for the user. For example, focus on virtual banking, virtual dating, virtual coding, virtual entrepreneurship which give users a platform to improve their life skills through this virtual experience. 

However there is no right or wrong, it all depends on why do they want to do the project.

5. List the major problems (obvious and non-obvious ones) in faced by the team? How could they have done differently and better?

Problems faced by the team:

- They do not have enough manpower and capability to execute their Another Life

- Lan dropped out half way

- Struggle with switching 

- Work allocation

- Missed deadlines( poor management)

It will be better if:

- discuss with Lanh until Lanh feels WANT to continue

- talk to capable coders before hand which i hope i have done for my carpool

- find outsource if really no choice

- do a simpler version of Another Life

6. What did the team do right/well?

The leftovers persisted to survive until last!

7. What would you do if you were Jeremy on the evening of 24th April (and the deadline for the final project submission was the next day)?

-Buy tissue and cry

-Then submit the undone work and explain to professor

8. How would you handle a situation where one of your team members is unable to deliver on the work he/she promised because of personal problems?

- Find out the reason why he is not able to deliver on what he promised. He may have his reasons. 

- If it is very personal problem, then must see whether we can help him/her. 

- As a team, I will always encourage support for team members as long as there is a way we can help. So that we all can progress happily.

9. What, in your opinion, are the key learning points from this case study?

- CS3216 has improved its grouping strategy which allows more dynamic formation of groups

- Students shall not overload or do other challenging modules when you choose to take CS3216

- Students always need to consult a similar senior for advice in how to excel in this module

- CS3216 still have a lot of reports to write though it has been 5 years

One hour late submission. T.T