Training activity information
Details
Develop a bioinformatics solution through iterative development, engaging stakeholders in prototyping and testing
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Iterative development solutions
- Standard software development cycles or models
- Continuous quality improvement by modern development models and methodologies
- Test frameworks (Unit tests)
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What is the bioinformatics problem you are trying to solve? Who are the stakeholders you will engage with during prototyping and testing?
- How will you develop your skills in iterative development methodologies? What will you learn about the importance of stakeholder feedback in the development process?
- Will you define the initial scope of the bioinformatics solution? Will you plan how you will engage stakeholders in prototyping and testing? Have you discussed the development approach with your training officer?
In action
- What is the bioinformatics solution you are developing? How are you implementing iterative development? Who are the stakeholders you are engaging with? How are you incorporating their feedback from prototyping and testing?
- Are you making progress in developing the solution through iterations? Is stakeholder feedback proving useful in refining the prototype? Are you encountering any technical challenges?
- If stakeholder feedback requires significant changes, how are you prioritising these? If you are facing technical difficulties, are you exploring alternative approaches or seeking support?
On action
- Describe the bioinformatics solution you developed. What were the key iterations of development you undertook? How did you engage stakeholders in the prototyping and testing phases? What feedback did you receive?
- What did you learn about the iterative development process and its benefits? How did stakeholder feedback influence the development of your solution? What did you learn about engaging with users? Were there any unexpected challenges or insights during the prototyping and testing? What did you learn from these? How did your approach to development and stakeholder engagement (‘reflect-in-action’) shape the final solution? How does the ability to develop solutions iteratively with stakeholder input relate to creating user-centred and effective bioinformatics tools?
- What aspects of iterative development and stakeholder engagement do you want to refine? How can you apply these principles to future bioinformatics development projects? What specific actions / ‘next steps’ will you now take to enhance your skills in this area? What support or resources might you need to further develop your understanding of user-centred design?
Beyond action
- Have you been involved in other iterative development projects with stakeholder feedback? How did your experience in this training activity shape your approach to this methodology?
- What were the benefits and challenges of engaging stakeholders in prototyping and testing during this training activity?
- How has your understanding of software development lifecycles and user-centred design in bioinformatics grown since this experience?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Identify, design and develop services for bioinformatics to meet stakeholders needs. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Plan to efficiently integrate service developments in bioinformatics with existing practices. |
| # 7 |
Outcome
Practice in accordance with relevant standards and guidance. |