Calvin explores navigating through 'tech talk'

Quality Control : Managers vs. Engineers
Exploring how to navigate through ‘tech talk’

Historically, engineers and managers have been at odds with their expectations
of each other.
On Saturday, May 2, 2009 working professionals are invited to come to Calvin
College to participate in The Technical Gap with a Christian Influence, a
conference that addresses the conflicts that exist between managers and
engineers, particularly those relating to software development.

The conference, funded by the Lilly Vocation Project of Calvin College, will
be held at the Devos Communications and Art Center. Pat Bailey, professor of
computer science at Calvin College, is coordinating the event. The conference
will include experts in the areas of software quality and interpersonal
communications who will address the conflicts that exist among stakeholders in
software development.

Keynote speaker, Dorothy Graham, a software quality and testing consultant
with an international clientele, will talk about different views of software
quality in a talk titled "Test is a Four-letter Word." Graham, a 1966 Calvin
graduate, has authored books on software testing topics.

The second keynote speaker Quentin Schultze, executive director of the Gainey
Institute for Faith and Communication, will speak on "The Three Relational
Secrets of Project Management." Schultze has written books and articles
examining people, faith and technology.

"The two keynote speakers will set the tone for the rest of the day," said
Bailey. "After those presentations, we will have facilitated discussion groups.
 Each discussion group will have an equal mix of working professionals and
students. After the groups meet, the students will prepare a summary of those
discussions. We’re really hoping we can get volunteers to participate in
this dialogue. We’re hoping those volunteers include a balanced combination
of software developers, quality assurance people and managers."

"Most importantly," Bailey added, "this forum is meant to address some very
contentious, and at times very emotional, issues in the workplace. We will
explore solutions through technology, interpersonal communication and faith.
One of our goals at Calvin is to show students that their Christian faith is
part of their working lives."

Discussion group volunteers will be provided with a free lunch and
participation is limited to the available capacity of the meeting rooms.
"People who volunteer are not only gaining personal insights, but they are also
providing a valuable learning opportunity for the students who will be there,"
Bailey added.

Those interested in participating in the group discussions should contact
Bailey (pmb4@calvin.edu). More information will be made available at
http://www.dynamiclink09.org. Group discussion participants will have
reserved seating for the morning keynote talks, which are open to the general
public. Admission is free, but reservations should be made by contacting Bailey
via e-mail or at 616.526.7543.

                                                                 ###

Matt Kucinski
Media Relations Manager
Calvin College
msk23@calvin.edu
616.526.8935 (office)
616.307.7429 (cell)
Received on Fri Mar 20 08:51:31 2009