Navigating Silos: Overcoming Fragmentation

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Navigating Silos: How Jira Helped Me Lose Friends and Alienate Colleagues

A satirical survival guide to modern collaboration dysfunction.

In this book, we embark on a journey to explore the intricate relationship between silos, agile methodologies, and the ubiquitous project management tool, Jira. While agile practices aim to foster collaboration, adaptability, and customer-centricity, the reality is that many organizations still grapple with the stubborn persistence of silos – those barriers that stifle communication, hinder collaboration, and impede innovation.

In this age of interconnectedness and rapid change, the need to break down silos and foster cross-functional collaboration has never been more pressing. Yet, paradoxically, many organizations find themselves entrenched in siloed structures, with Jira often inadvertently exacerbating these divisions.

“Breaking Down the Walls We Lovingly Reinforce”

Through the chapters of this book, we’ll dissect the ways in which Jira, despite its many benefits, can inadvertently reinforce silos within organizations. From its team-centric approach to its customization capabilities and permission controls, we’ll uncover the subtle ways in which Jira contributes to organizational fragmentation.

But fear not – this book is not a lamentation of the status quo. Instead, it serves as a guide for navigating the complex terrain of silos and agile business practices within the context of Jira. With each chapter, we’ll uncover practical strategies and insights to mitigate the silo effect, foster collaboration, and harness the full potential of agile methodologies.

Whether you’re a seasoned Jira user, an agile enthusiast, or a curious observer of organizational dynamics, “Navigating Silos” offers invaluable insights and actionable advice for transforming siloed structures into agile, collaborative ecosystems. So let’s embark on this journey together, as we navigate the intersection of silos, agile, and Jira, towards a future of integrated, adaptive, and customer-focused organizations.

Chapter 1: The Joy of Isolation

In this chapter, we dive headfirst into the beauty of silos. We’ll explore how isolating teams can lead to unparalleled focus and efficiency. Learn how to build impenetrable walls between departments and revel in the sweet solitude of individualized workflows. Embrace the silo mindset and watch your productivity soar!

Chapter 2: Harnessing Hierarchies

Discover the power of hierarchies in siloed organizations. From top-down decision-making to rigid reporting structures, we’ll show you how to wield hierarchy like a well-oiled machine. Say goodbye to collaboration and hello to clear lines of authority. With the right hierarchy in place, you’ll be unstoppable!

Chapter 3: Cultivating Conflict

Conflict is the lifeblood of siloed organizations. In this chapter, we’ll teach you how to sow the seeds of discord and watch them flourish. From territorial disputes to passive-aggressive email chains, we’ll explore the many ways conflict can strengthen your silos. Embrace the chaos and watch your silos thrive!

Chapter 4: Jira Jamboree

Jira isn’t just a tool – it’s a way of life. In this chapter, we’ll explore how to use Jira to reinforce your silos and keep teams isolated. From custom workflows to permission schemes, we’ll dive deep into the world of Jira customization. Say goodbye to cross-functional collaboration and hello to Jira-centric silos!

Chapter 5: Metrics Madness

Metrics are the key to success in siloed organizations. In this chapter, we’ll explore how to measure everything – from individual productivity to departmental throughput. Learn how to use metrics to pit teams against each other and drive competition. With the right metrics in place, you’ll never have to worry about collaboration again!

Chapter 6: Silo-Centric Systems: The Jira Dilemma

The heart of the issue with Jira’s role in perpetuating silos within organizations. Uncover how its structure, primarily designed around individual teams and projects, inadvertently fosters isolation and independence. From customized workflows to restricted permissions, explore how Jira’s features inadvertently reinforce silos, hindering cross-team collaboration and communication.

Chapter 7: Customization Conundrum

Explore the double-edged sword of Jira’s customization capabilities. While empowering teams to tailor workflows to their unique needs, these very customizations can inadvertently deepen silos. By encouraging teams to operate within their own tailored environments, Jira inadvertently fosters a culture of isolation, hindering collaboration and integration across departments.

Chapter 8: Permissions Pitfalls

Unravel the complexities of Jira’s permission controls and their impact on organizational dynamics. While essential for security and privacy, overly restrictive permissions can isolate teams within their own domains, limiting visibility and collaboration across the organization. Learn how to strike a balance between security and collaboration to mitigate the silo effect.

Chapter 9: Integration Impasse

Navigate the challenges of integrating Jira with other tools and platforms. While Jira offers some level of integration, the lack of seamless connectivity between systems can exacerbate silos. Explore strategies for bridging the gap between disparate tools to foster better cross-functional collaboration and communication.

Chapter 10: Communication Constraints

Discover the communication limitations inherent in Jira’s design. While adept at tracking tasks and managing workflows, Jira may fall short in facilitating open dialogue and real-time collaboration among teams. Learn how to supplement Jira with external communication channels to bridge the communication gap and foster a more connected organizational culture.

Chapter 11: Remote Renaissance

In this bonus chapter, we’ll explore how remote work can take your silo game to the next level. Say goodbye to watercooler chatter and hello to the solitude of your home office. We’ll show you how to leverage remote work to reinforce silos and keep teams isolated. From virtual meetings that lack human connection to asynchronous communication that fosters misunderstanding, we’ll dive deep into the world of remote silos. Embrace the WFH revolution and watch your silos thrive – all from the comfort of your own home!

Chapter 12: The Future of Silos

“They Call them swim lanes” – Robert S

In our final chapter, we’ll look to the future of siloed organizations. With advancements in technology and a growing appetite for isolation, the sky’s the limit. From AI-powered workflow automation to virtual reality team-building exercises, we’ll explore the cutting edge of siloed innovation. Embrace the future – and embrace your silos!

 

Dillion – definition

Quote

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Dillion (noun): A slang term meaning twelve million dollars. Often used informally to denote a large sum of money just beyond a decillion but far more manageable — like a dozen million.

Example: “He sold the company for a cool dillion.”

Disagree well – Why do you want to believe that?

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To disagree well, it’s essential to approach conversations with epistemic humility—acknowledging that you could be wrong. This mindset opens the door to understanding, not just winning the argument. By asking “Why do you want to believe that?”, you invite the other person to reflect on their beliefs, fostering a deeper dialogue rather than a debate.

Key Points for Disagreeing Well:

  • Start with humility: Recognize your own limits and uncertainties.
    “I see your point, and I could be wrong, but here’s how I see it.”
    “I’m not entirely sure, but I think there’s another way to look at this.”
  • Invite dialogue, not debate: Shift from winning to understanding.
    “I’m interested to hear your thoughts on this. Maybe we’re both missing something.”

  • Listen actively: Engage with the other person’s perspective, not just preparing your rebuttal.
    “That’s a good point. I hadn’t considered that angle before. Here’s how I’m thinking about it…”
  • Stay open to revising your view: Be willing to change your mind if presented with compelling evidence or new insights.
    “You make a solid point. Let me think about that and see if it changes how I view things.”

  • Avoid personal attacks: Focus on ideas, not individuals.
    “I understand your perspective, but I think this approach might have some flaws.”

In any discussion, it’s important to ask “Why are we here together?”—to understand the purpose of the conversation—and “What is our goal?” This helps guide the dialogue toward constructive outcomes. Ultimately, how we get from the purpose to the goal is through humility, active listening, and an openness to growth. By focusing on these principles, we foster meaningful, respectful exchanges that can lead to shared understanding or even change.

Rethinking Adult Autism Through Signal Analysis

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Seeing the Whole Spectrum: Rethinking Autism Through Signal Analysis

 

In signal processing, frequencies come in two forms: positive and negative. These represent the direction of oscillation in a wave, and both are essential in forming a complete understanding of a signal. When we perform a Fourier Transform on a real-valued signal, the result is a symmetrical frequency spectrum—negative frequencies are the mirror image of positive ones. Because of this symmetry, analysts often focus only on the positive side, assuming the negative adds no new information. But the full signal only truly makes sense when both sides are considered. Ignoring half the spectrum might simplify the math, but it also filters out part of the story. In many ways, this mirrors how society has understood autism: by focusing only on the “visible” or more disruptive traits, we’ve overlooked the full richness of the spectrum.

The autism spectrum is broad, encompassing a diverse range of traits, experiences, and ways of thinking. Yet, historically, the conversation has focused almost entirely on the challenges—communication difficulties, social struggles, and behaviors deemed “abnormal” by neurotypical standards. These challenges, while real, are only one part of the picture. Like the negative frequencies in a signal, they have dominated the public perception, shaping a narrow, deficit-based narrative around autism. This framing treats difference as dysfunction and complexity as something to be minimized or managed, rather than understood.

What often gets overlooked are the strengths and unique abilities that also reside on the spectrum. Many autistic individuals demonstrate exceptional skills in pattern recognition, deep focus, honesty, creativity, and unconventional problem-solving. These are the “positive frequencies” of autism—traits that can be incredibly valuable, but which society often misses because it has been trained to look for problems rather than potential. Just as an engineer who only studies half the frequency graph misses the full shape and texture of a signal, we miss the full humanity and capability of autistic people when we ignore their strengths.

It’s not that the struggles should be denied or minimized; they are real and deserve support and understanding. But focusing only on the challenges creates an incomplete and often damaging narrative. We need to broaden the lens—to recognize that autism is not just a list of deficits, but a spectrum of human difference that includes resilience, insight, and gifts that may not always be immediately visible. The goal should be to tune into the full signal, not just the parts that are easiest to categorize.

By shifting the way we talk about autism—from a disorder to a spectrum, from a problem to a difference—we create space for inclusion, acceptance, and appreciation. Just as signal processing becomes more powerful when we understand both positive and negative frequencies, our society becomes more compassionate and whole when we learn to see the full range of human neurodiversity. The spectrum is not broken—it’s just been misunderstood.

Production Offsets – Delay is dead, latency is lame

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Production Offset (noun):

The accumulated timing differences within a production process caused by variations in signal transportation time, processing speed, or media transfer over IP networks. These offsets occur when different elements of a production pipeline experience inherent latency due to the nature of their processing paths.

A production offset specifically applies when synchronization between signals is required to maintain a cohesive output.

Examples of Production Offsets:

  • Audio-to-Video Delay: When video encoding and transmission take longer than audio, causing lip-sync issues.

  • Program Audio vs. Video Delay: A mismatch between broadcast-quality audio and video paths, requiring realignment.

  • Media Transfer Delays: Timing mismatches when files, streams, or packets arrive at different times due to network transport latency.

Control Audio vs. Program Audio – Is It a Production Offset?

  • Control Audio (Intercom, IFB, Coordination): Must be as close to real-time as possible to minimize awkward pauses in live communication.

  • Program Audio (Broadcast, Recorded Content): May have additional latency due to processing, mixing, and distribution.

  • Since these serve different functional purposes, their latency differences are generally not considered a production offset unless they must be synchronized for a specific use case (e.g., when coordinating live feeds with talent responses).

Managing Production Offsets Involves:

  • Measuring transport and processing delays across different signal paths.

  • Collating and analyzing timing discrepancies.

  • Applying delay compensation or synchronization techniques.

  • Optimizing network and processing paths to reduce unnecessary latency.

By properly managing production offsets, teams ensure seamless synchronization where required, while also prioritizing real-time communication for control audio.

Example: The team compensated for the production offset between program audio and video while ensuring control audio remained as real-time as possible for smooth coordination.

 

Starrett Analog Gage Amplifier – No 718

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ButFeatures

  • Zero set control.
  • Screwdriver adjustment for individual calibration.
  • Resolution: .0001″ (0.010mm) to .000010″ (0.001mm)
  • Range: .003″ (.300mm) to 10.0003″ (10.030mm)
  • Only three switches – one for inch/millimeter, one for fine or coarse resolution & one for polarity.\par
  • Compact size of 8″ x 4-3/4″ x 2″ (200 x 119 x 50mm).
  • 110 volt AC operation (7.5 volt transformer furnished).

 

 

Probe to get:

Starrett 715-1Z – LVDT Lever Type Gage Head

 

Calibration

The Redder, The Better 🚦

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The Redder, The Better – A phrase used in audio engineering to describe how an audio signal is often considered optimal when the volume unit (VU) meter or LED peak meter enters the red zone. This indicates a strong signal level, improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by ensuring the desired audio remains well above the noise floor. In analog systems, slight red-zone peaks can add warmth and presence, while in digital systems, red peaks indicate maximum headroom before potential distortion or clipping. 🚦