# Apprenticeship Writing Notes --- This doesn't have to be a chore. Think of it as an opportunity. --- # Five types of EPA Challengers --- :female-scientist: # Scientist --- A scientist will attempt to **prove** something. You set up laboratory conditions where you explore the effect of changing one variable. You record data, and then you analyse that data. Relates back to the Ada value of ## Curiosity --- #### Question *How can we turn our workplaces into a laboratory?* --- #### Approach - Try changing one thing on a project - Introducing a new tool or technology - Attempting a new project management methodology --- - Record as much data as you can - Velocity of projects completed - Satisfaction of you and your team - Satisfaction of external and internal stakeholders --- - Scientists are more comfortable with quantitative data - Quantitative data can be used also! - Look at other 'research', even if informal --- #### Outputs You produce a **hypothesis** which is to be tested. You design an **experiment** to test it. You produce a **report** to show your results. --- #### Writing style - Typically impersonal, aspiring to objectivity - Uses the third person where possible - Context needs to be explained clearly - Strong focus on data and charts - Slightly difficult use of tenses --- :female-artist: # Artist An artist will attempt to **create** something. You experiment with different materials and methods. The things you create reflect your skills with working with tools and materials. They also represent the wider culture that created them, its perspectives and views of the world. --- Relates back to the Ada value of ## Creativity --- #### Question *How can we create works that we are proud of?* --- #### Approach - Try developing or reinforcing a unique style - Understand your team and company's distinctive brand - Develop your own personal style in relation to it --- - Produce as many sketches as possible - Save iterations of all your code/designs/presentations - Get feedback from your team, from us, from apprentices - Look at what other 'artists' are doing around the world --- - Take advantage of communities of practice - Look for groups within your organisation you can join - Try looking more widely, or even starting your own --- #### Outputs You produce **sketches** which are developed into completed **works**. You produce a **porfolio** of work, accompanied by **artist's statements** or an **exigesis** which contextualises your work. --- #### Writing style - Typically personal, subjective - Uses the first person where possible - Writing can be creative also(*) - Accompanied by lots of visuals - Past tense, unless talking about process ^{(*) Please don't take this <i>too</i> far} --- :information_desk_person: # Coach --- A coach will attempt to **motivate** people. You try to understand and build on the strengths and abilities of others. In order to do this, you need to understand your own abilities and try to analyse the team . You also need to think about the resources required. Relates back to the Ada value of ## Collaboration --- #### Question *How can we celebrate and repeat our victories?* --- #### Approach --- - Try to get down your tactics and strategy - Strategy relates to your long term vision, as a team or company - Tactics relates to your day to day operations and process --- - Chart out processes and figure out how to improve them - Figure out who you can learn from, and who you can teach - Collect metrics and analyse performance collectively --- - Collect and inventory resources - Find things that take time or are inconsitent - Build group resources to help empower the team --- :female-detective: # Detective --- A detective will attempt to **crack** something. You investigate a scene, where many different things may have happened. You try to collect evidence, and bring it back to the lab for further analysis. You might also interview witnesses. --- Relates back to the Ada value of ## Rigour --- #### Question *How can we understand the cause of workplace successes or failure through fieldwork?* --- #### Approach - Try and record everything that is happening in a situation - Take lots of notes and measurements as you go - No detail to small - it might end up being the key --- - Gain an idea of the relevant people in a situation - Interview people about projects - What are the motives of people involved - Try to track external and internal actors also --- - Collect and analyse evidence - We don't know what the evidence will be before the time - Some evidence may later require more detailed analysis --- #### Outputs You produce a **case file** with a collection of evidence, persons of interest, etc. You collect **witness statements** and **evidence** that can then be interpreted to reach certain conclusions. --- #### Writing style - Mix of first and third person writing - Your investigative process is discussed subjectively - Evidence and analysis is presented factually - Argue an interpretation of events, not guilt or innocence --- :female-astronaut: # Adventurer --- An adventurer will attempt to **rise to the challenge**. You plan some kind of adventure that will push you to the limits of your ability. You try to get as far as you can, but things might not go to plan. You draw a **map** for anyone foolhardy enough to try and follow you, and collect **artefacts** to bring back while recounting the **characters** you meet. --- Relates back to the Ada value of **Resilience** --- #### Question *How does the workplace represent a set of epic challenges?* --- #### Approach - Try and look for difficult challenges - Understanding your business - what is it struggling with - Plan where you're going, bring supplies --- - Don't go it all alone - Learn about the difficulties others have faced in their career - Look for mentors or other people willing to take on hard challenges --- - Reflect on the difficulties - Don't downplay the extent of the challenge - Admit when you struggled, this is what makes it interesting - Look for balance - celebrate what was easy --- #### Writing style - First person writing style - Use evidence of scale to avoid exaggeration - Evidence and feedback are treasures - Try to inspire rather than complain --- ## Summary --- Portfolio of reflective statements should have a cohesive style They should be something you look forward to writing... ... and reading in the future. --- Don't focus too much on ticking boxes. Do tick all the boxes, but it's about more than just meeting reqs. --- Try to find an EPA champion - someone alongside your skills coach and manager. --- Have a cohesive style, format, way of presenting evidence. Use the Ada templates as a basis, but make this process work for you. --- If you're worried about confidentiality, focus on process rather than details. Look at ways of using tools, rather than the results. ---