Professors Minh Hunh and Barbara Schuldt from Southeastern Louisiana University’s Department of Management have created a unique service learning opportunity thanks to ThinkTank.
As part of their Systems Analysis and Design course, they are teaching students how to gather software requirements using GroupSystems collaboration technology. To add even more impact to the course, the student-run project is for a real client, a local non-profit foodbank. The goal is to create an inventory management product to help the foodbank, Tangi Food Pantry, run its business.
“It’s a great match that we can provide this service to the community at no monetary cost to them, while our students are learning at the same time,” Huynh said. “The students are not only applying their skills, but they are also interacting with people, which allows them to see the needs of a non-profit organization.”
ThinkTank helps streamline the requirements gathering process by enabling all of the stakeholders in an organization the opportunity to enter their needs simultaneously. Participants start by reviewing and agreeing on the scope and business objectives of the project. Stakeholders then directly enter all of their own requirements. ThinkTank’s™ real-time, simultaneous idea submission greatly accelerates the process and supplements the ongoing discussions. Stakeholders know they’ve been heard and nothing has been lost in translation by the project team. ThinkTank’s™ ability to collect ideas anonymously helps ensure complete openness.
Read the full press release from Southeastern Louisiana University: “Mobile ThinkTank system teaches students, assists community”
Filed under: Classroom Participation, Community Outreach, Requirements Gathering
