Reaction All Years

Project Description:

Our Digital Signage Management System app provides Network Operations Center (NOC) operators all of the tools required to efficiently manage their customer’s digital signage. The digital signage market is experiencing rapid growth and is projected to be worth $27.8 billion by 2026, all while providing a more sustainable and greener means of displaying information in comparison to its traditional counterparts.

While there are many standalone apps that provide a single one of these functionalities:
– Device status monitoring (CPU Usage %, Temperature, I/O)
– Content management for displays (Scheduling, Library management, Display Authorization)
– Manage remote device workflows (Real-time triggers, Remote Procedure Calls)

None of the current apps on the market satisfies all of these requirements at once. That’s where our app comes in. Not only does our app centralize all of these functionalities to a single hub, but we’ve also planned from the very beginning of our research to ensure our app is platform and device agnostic (accomplished via PWA architecture), and scalable to handle thousands of signage endpoints (accomplished via Microservice-based architecture).

This project consisted of 10 developers split into two teams following an Agile framework. Each team, front-end and back-end, had elected scrum masters who closely worked with each other to ensure the tickets of each team were in line with sprint goals.

Members of the front-end team learned and applied many new technologies and best practices in order to achieve sprint goals and maintain development velocity despite dependency blockers:
– Git best practices were strictly enforced with a fast-forward merging method being used, requiring developers to stay on top of rebasing and ensuring proper integration with their teammates
– Figma mock-ups were created and approved before any major feature implementation
– All pure React functions required unit testing via Jest in order to be approved during code review
– Each major feature required Acceptance/E2E testing via Cypress
– Mirage.js, a developer mock server solution, was used as a means of continuing development on features whose back-end dependencies were still in development – preventing blockers and maintaining development velocity
– Tailwind was utilized to ensure that the UI was scalable for all devices: desktop, smartphone, etc.
– Dotenv was utilized to ensure that dynamic variables and client secrets were not tracked in our repository. This enables automated builds to use environment variables rather than constants
Tech stack: React, Tailwind, d3.js, Jest, Cypress, Figma, GitLab

Members of the back-end team learned and applied many new technologies and practices in order to implement a scalable and maintainable microservice-based back-end. These include:
– Automated unit testing of Django microservices views
– Automated API acceptance testing via postman
– Firewall rule-sets via iptables
– OpenVPN server deployment
– EasyRSA Certificate Authority deployment
– Virtual Private Cloud provisioning and SSH authorization
Tech stack: Django, NGINX, Python Unittest, Postman, OpenVPN, EasyRSA, ThingsBoard, Zabbix, Xibo, DigitalOcean, GitLab

Our entire team is grateful to have had this opportunity to research and develop this app. We can’t wait to see what comes of it in the future.

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Project Description:

PublishersLink is an online platform to simplify an outdated process that has become indispensable to the entire publishing industry. The main goal with PublishersLink is to use modern technology to help the submission process for the literary community; saving time, energy, and money for publishers and literary agents while also helping to get writers published. We will create a centralized, searchable, online submissions database, that is easily accessible by both writers and agents/publishers as well as an option for agents to connect with publishers via chat.

The current procedure an author must go through to have their work published is very time consuming, tedious, and yields little success for most authors. If we compared PublishersLink to the real estate market, writers would be the house sellers that pay a fee to use the service, literary agents are the real estate brokers, and publishers are buyers. PublishersLink is the MLS® system that connects them all. PublishersLink does not prevent writers from submitting their work to individual publishers and agents just as house sellers can still choose a “for sale by owner” option; however, the platform will provide a more efficient way to improve the chances of authors selling their work and getting published. To incentivize writers and agents to use the service, agents will be able to access their own submissions that writers will submit to them directly at no cost, agents will be provided with a free basic submissions platform to effectively manage their workload. Writers will also have the option of submitting their work to the wider pool of agents at a cost.

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Project Description:

This study was conducted on behalf of the Yazidi Legal Network (YLN), an organization dedicated to ensuring recognition, accountability and justice for Yazidis related to crimes committed against them by the Islamic State. Currently the YLN uses Google Sheets to maintain a bibliography of sources on Yazidis. The existing format is inadequate and the YLN would like to transition from Google Sheets to a secure, online site that is accessible and useful to users.

The purpose of this study was to examine the benefit of online access to the YLN bibliography to users. The study also explored how users prefer to access information, how they organize information and what they use it for. A mid-fidelity prototype was created as a minimum viable product for use as proof-of-concept for an accessible, online bibliography. This proof-of-concept will be used by the YLN as evidence to justify and apply for funding to further develop and implement the prototype.

A literature review yielded insights on information retrieval. Prime among these is that, in order to be useful, information must be findable. Findability requires the efforts of multiple disciplines, including expertise in usability, graphic design, information architecture, user interfaces, interactive design and user experience research.

User experience research was conducted with representatives of different user groups who were recruited by the client from their contacts and included legal professionals, academics and humanitarians. The research team also recruited subject matter experts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten users and five subject matter experts.

Following analysis and synthesis of findings, the research team learned that users need: easy, rapid access to information; co-creation opportunities; to share information across disciplines / languages; data protection; and the ability to provide feedback on source evaluations. These insights informed the creation of a journey map, personas, user scenarios and experience principles which collectively guided the development of wireframes.

The prototype meets the need for easy, rapid access to information with a standard search engine that has the option for simple or faceted searching to meet the needs of both beginner and advanced users. Also included is navigation via category browsing and by clickable maps. Furthermore, employing Nielsen’s heuristic design principles for user interfaces that support universal design ensured the interface is broadly accessible and easy-to-use.

The need for data protection is met with access controls enabling pre-screening and approval of users. Data protection is also supported by trigger warnings to caution people with vulnerabilities from the potentially trauma-inducing content.

Future prototype iterations may address other needs identified in this study. For example, co-creation could be realized by creating a space for Yazidis to contribute content, describing their traditions, stories or experiences and / or by creating a ‘wiki’-like space in which users could offer translations of source information.

The mid-fidelity prototype meets the needs of the client by addressing all the themes identified via research, either in the current prototype iteration or in recommendations for future iterations. These future iterations would require the support of multiple disciplines as outlined above.

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Project Description:

A fully working and functional website for Taslaine Industries based on the site map.

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Project Description:

The Virtual PM Connection Event was a free event to join. The main purpose of this project was to conduct a PM Connect event in which four guest speakers discussed project management integration in Canadian contexts. They attempted to solve the critical issue of finding a job in the Canadian marketplace for aspiring project managers and project management students. In addition to this, it was a great chance for students to:

a. Make a connection between PM professionals and future PMs.
b. Gain insights on PM professional experiences by attending the event.
c. Create a network by organizing or attending the event.
d. Increase their work field awareness through the event.

The virtual event was held on July 28, 2022, at noon. All students were welcomed to attend.

The guest speakers were:
• Pete Grieve, PMP: Program/project/product/people manager, senior business consultant.
• Hillman Chan PMP, CSM, CSPO: Senior project manager at Bell.
• Penny Mayo, PMP: project manager – Team leader at the government of Canada.
• Yvan Bastien, PMP: project manager – Digital learning at Algonquin corporate training.

In order to motivate and engage the audience, we offered gift cards as incentives. The event was launched through Zoom, and AC assisted with the link Zoom account at no cost.
Furthermore, participants were requested to fill out a feedback survey at the end of the event to record engagement metrics. Out of all the attendees who filled the survey, two random applicants were selected, and these two applicants were sent out gift cards worth $25 each.

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Project Description:

Project Description

The Algonquin Students’ Association and other community members sponsor the Algonquin College Food Cupboard, an organization that understands students’ financial challenges and is available to help. According to a recent CBC News research, 40% of Canadian students are food insecure, and campus food banks are struggling to meet demand. The AC Food Cupboard provides food and other basic essentials to students who seek assistance, they can access the service once per month to receive a 3-day supply of food and supplies. Project Fill the Shelves is a noble undertaking to help the AC Food Cupboard in meeting their desired requirements by raising funds and donations that satisfy both quality and quantity. Our team aims to raise $1000 in products by holding a bake sale and hosting an online fundraising campaign, asking team members’ friends and family for donations.
Our project begins on June 2, 2022, and concludes on July 27, 2022, with all collected donations physically delivered to the AC food cupboard.

Team Roles and Responsibilities

Our team consisted of 6 members, with each member responsible for a specific function of the project. Modupe Adara was in charge of quality management, while Fereshteh Saradar and Kavish Pastagia handled risk management and procurement management, respectively. The efficient operation of the online fundraising portal, resource management, and communication was ensured by Kapisha Tewatia and Gurpwiter Singh. Finally, Ratnamala Phukon manages the overall project, ensuring that the project’s scope is met within the decided time and budget.

Project Planning

The project is planned in three distinct phases. The first is the Planning phase where the team conducts meeting to prepare the Project Management plan. In this phase, the entire project is deconstructed into individual tasks and arranged in a sequence that will be followed during the execution phase. Ideas for fundraising are brainstormed in the meeting and discussed with the project sponsor. It is decided that our team will use the following ways to raise funds and donations:
1. Online fundraising campaign
2. Bake sale event
3. Donations from friends and family
After the project plan is approved by the project sponsors, David Solomon and Julia Mccann we were ready to execute our project in full swing!

Project Execution
In the second phase of execution, our team had 5 weeks to raise funds and purchase/ collect goods for the donation. The target amount of $1000 was divided equally into five weeks, with each week’s target being $200. We started on 27th June 2022. Our communication manager conducted research on venues and other requirements for hosting a non-profit bake sale event in Ottawa. At the same time, the online portal for fundraising was also launched and promoted through social media and personal communication channels. We reached out to our friends and family members in order to raise awareness about the cause and raise donations for the same. We set realistic target for the project and adopted tools to measure our progress each week to check if the project is on track.
We expected to raise around 40% of the funds from online portal, 10% from Bake sale, and the rest through donations from friends and family. Our team, however, discovered a different, intriguing technique to solicit money for the project during the second week of execution. We contacted the store managers of numerous well-known Ottawa superstores, explained our project concept and asked them to contribute to our cause. Despite several denials, it was thrilling to see 5 such stores voluntarily agree to assist us and provide a total of $250 worth gift cards in support of our donation.
We started preparing for our Bake sale around week 3. In light of extensive research into different locations, policies, and permits for hosting a sale event, we unanimously selected Britannia Beach. Two team members took the responsibility to prepare and pack cookies and muffins to be sold at the event. Fliers regarding the project and AC food cupboard were designed and printed to be handed out at the event. The event was held on 17th July,2022 around 5-7pm. It was an extremely successful event with each packet of cookie being sold at $2.50. The event was a huge success, with an excellent sales result and a $100 profit raised.
It was satisfying to realize that by the end of Week 4 we were able to achieve our target goal of $1000 through all the sources. We acquired $340 through online fundraising portal, $100 through bake sale, goods worth $310 through friends and $250 through superstore gift cards.

Procuring Goods

While procuring items we ensured that we take advantages of discounts and employee benefits that are available to the team members. The goods were pegged at their original retail value for calculation. Each purchased item’s name, quantity, and cost were meticulously recorded in an inventory list after which an extensive quality check was done on the donated items by the quality manager.

Delivering the Donations

The final phase of the project began in week 5. The donations collected were finally submitted to the project sponsors on 27th July,2022 in Algonquin College campus. It was extremely satisfactory to realize that our team stood firm to the commitment and was successful in handing over the targeted donations on time.
The entire project was an excellent learning opportunity for the team. As we progressed through each stage, we faced different tests that challenged us to bring out our creative side. It is our hope that our efforts will make a significant difference in the student community, even if they are small. Project Fill the Shelves hopes to support the students in every way they can and wishes AC Food Cupboard continued success in their noble work.

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Project Description:

The name of our project is ‘Fill the Shelves”, which is sponsored by David Solomon (PMP, Professor, School of Business) and Julia McCann (Manager, Algonquin Food Cupboard). It has been shown in a recent study by the CBC news that almost 40% of the students in Canada are facing the state of insufficient quantity of affordable and nutritious food since the food banks at the campus are not fulfilling the demands. This becomes the basis of the project “Fill the Shelves”.

The objective of our project is to help the food cupboard program at the Algonquin by bringing the different items collected by either donation or purchasing while maintaining the quantity as well as quality at the same time.

We are team ‘Life Saviors’’ consists of a total of six members – Jay Bhavsar (Project Manager), Olive Smith (Procurement Manager), Zaid Syed (Stakeholder Manager), Karandeep Singh (Quality Manager), Vanshika (Risk Manager), Harkamalpreet (Communication Manager).

We got a fund of $40.00 as a starter for our project from the School of Business and our target was to collect goods worth a minimum of $1000 over the given period. The delivery date of the goods at the Algonquin Food Cupboard was July 27, 2022. We are extremely happy to announce that we collected over $2246 worth of items in the form of funds and goods that were listed in the list provided by our sponsors. This indicates that we completed our project in a well-managed manner within the given time and budget with our team’s remarkable effort.

Let’s talk about the various phases of our project. Our project commenced with the planning phase (Phase 1) – we submitted our project plan to Professor David Solomon on June 17, 2022. This project plan includes – Project summary and goals, Scope management, Schedule and time management, Human resource management, Communication Management, Risk Management Plan, Procurement Plan, and Stakeholder Management plan. This project plan document helped us a lot during the entire duration of the project as we remained focused on the tasks and schedule without any doubts in our minds.

Next was Donation Collection Phase (Phase 2) – It started on June 17, 2022, and we started visiting small-scale businesses (Event 1) to ask the owners and the customers there to contribute towards our project and we collected $1696.00 from our event 1. Afterward, we focused on our planned next event – Online Fundraising (Event 2), for which we created a website Go fund me, where we tried to encourage people to get donations. However, as expected we successfully raised $50.00 from this online portal. Then came our Event 3 – Asking Friends and Family. We have collected $500.00 from this event spreading awareness about the Algonquin food cupboard and the activities they do for students.

During our project, we provided our project’s status reports and one upgraded status report to the sponsors of our project through the live presentations on the zoom sessions. During our project, we tracked all the processes as a part of an applied project such as cost, quality, procurement, risk, and other subject areas.

Finally, we delivered our goods to the Food cupboard on the plan at the Algonquin in the presence of our project sponsors – David Solomon and Julia McCann in the given timeline.

We are extremely grateful to Professor David Solomon for his continuous motivation and direction without which we couldn’t complete the project ‘Fill the Shelves’.

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Project Description:

Earlier this year, the Algonquin College School of Business recognized that difficulty navigating the Algonquin College Ottawa Campus was a serious issue for the Algonquin College community. The combination of the campus’s increasingly large size with the unintuitive layout for room numbering can cause difficulty for students, staff, and visitors in finding their destination.

Previously, a Room Finder Web Application existed, but it faced several challenges and was ultimately shut down. As such, our project team and one other project team were each assigned to analyze the issues that led to the failure of the original AC Room Finder and create a project proposal document outlining our suggestions for the creation of a new wayfinding application.

As part of our research, we contacted and conducted several interviews with key subject matter experts and the original AC Room Finder application creator. Through that research, we discovered the background and initial development process for the Room Finder. This was critical as it helped us determine the business case for a new Wayfinder application and helped us develop timeframes for the development of an application.

Learning more background information about the challenges and pitfalls that the Room Finder had not been able to overcome proved even more helpful in developing our proposal. This information helped us identify which threats to the project existed and would need to be addressed, as well as which obstacles existed exclusively due to the circumstances of the original project.

Using the information acquired through research and stakeholder interviews, we created project planning documents and our project proposal for submission to our Project Sponsor. The documents we prepared include high-level plans for Scope Management, Quality Management, Communications Management, and the Project Schedule.

The Project Proposal included summaries of the above components, information for Resource Management, Risk Management, and a cost summary for the development and maintenance of the application. We hope that this proposal and the documents that we prepared will help jump-start the creation of the Algonquin College Wayfinder Application.

We wish to thank our Project Sponsors and the Algonquin College School of Business for their support, and we look forward to presenting our proposal to the Executive Committee.

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Project Description:

The Synthera Health App collects relevant health data via user input, app integrations and blood tests and generates a customizable treatment plan for Iron Deficiency or Iron Deficiency Anemia. Users can visualize their data, view their treatment plan, track their supplement dosage, and communicate with their Synthera Health team. The apps responsive design allows users to access their accounts from either a web browser or mobile phone. The data collected by the Synthera Health team will be used to improve their treatment algorithm.

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Project Description:

The 2SLGBTQ+ is a collective term that refers to two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. As this movement gains momentum and more resources are becoming available for 2SLGBTQ+ members and ideas change. There becomes a need not only for resources but also for ways to connect people in need with these resources. In addition, over the past few decades, various 2SLGBTQ+ organizations in the world have been founded in order to provide guidance and informative resources.

Similarly, There have been several organizations in the Ottawa area which are helping the community but unfortunately not many are aware of it, or they are run at a small scale. These organizations are operated independently and do not have a uniform platform to advertise their services and events. Due to several reasons such as some organizations do not have enough funds and technical expertise to support advertising their services on websites, applications, newspapers, and advertisements on the radio. The challenges are humongous and to overcome these challenges. Our client, Charlie Dazé from the TenOaks project organization, wants to create an online platform to help the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We as a team come up with a solution for hosting the website 2SLGBTQ+. The website requirements from the client are:

● Be able to store, and display information and services of different organizations in the Ottawa area.
● Be able to provide a secure website to promote 2SLGBTQ+ content.
● Be able to use the website publicly without any cost.
● Be able to provide contact information of the organizations.
● Be able to provide an interface for changing data later after the site is deployed.

Once implemented, the 2SLGBTQ+ Website will provide everyone, especially those in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, with easy and quick access to 2SLGBTQ+ resources and the contact information of 2SLGBTQ+ organizations based in Ottawa. As a result, more people will receive the appropriate and necessary help they need. Although this project is focused on the Ottawa region only, anyone on the Internet can view the website and read the resources uploaded. This will contribute to a more open and diverse world between communities. The scope of this project is the design, research, information gathering from different organizations, product creation, database build-up and connection, front-end coding, database creation, version control system, testing, admin control page coding, documentation of all parts, list of all test cases, and admin operation guide.

While researching, planning, and working for the website we learned a lot about the community. We learned terminology, organization, resources, and events happening around the Ottawa area.

On a professional level, we learned the importance of time, teamwork, communication, and commitment required to work in a real-world working environment. We also learned backend programming mainly database, password hashing, website security, and UI fundamentals of making websites.

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