Author Archives: Wayne Horkan

About Wayne Horkan

I’m a technologist and engineer, typically working in enterprise architecture and systems engineering.

Empowering Success Through Purpose: Mastering Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle Model

Discover the essence of Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle model in our latest article, where we explore its foundational principles and offer a practical guide to applying it in your organization. Learn how to articulate your purpose, differentiate your approach, and clearly define your offerings to inspire and achieve lasting success. Whether you’re enhancing cybersecurity with Cyber Tzar or navigating another sector, this article provides the insights you need to connect deeply with your audience and turn vision into action.

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The Enduring Relevance of the Mythical Man-Month: An Examination of Fred Brooks’ Magnum Opus

The field of Information Technology (IT) has witnessed a plethora of publications, but few have withstood the test of time and the relentless evolution of technology like Fred Brooks’ “The Mythical Man-Month”. This essay elucidates the enduring relevance and unparalleled insights encapsulated in Brooks’ monumental work, positioning it as the quintessential text on IT project management.

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Critical Analysis of “The Mythical Man-Month” by Fred Brooks

Fred Brooks’ seminal work, “The Mythical Man-Month”, has continued to spark discourse and reflection in the realms of software engineering and project management since its publication in 1975. Through a compilation of essays, Brooks explores the human elements and the intricacies of software development projects. This critical analysis aims to dissect the core themes elucidated in the book and examine the influence it has engendered in both academic and practical domains.

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Pioneering Life of Fred Brooks: Shaping Computing

Dr. Frederick P. Brooks Jr., often referred to as Fred Brooks, is a seminal figure in the realms of computer science and software engineering. His contributions stretch from academic advancements to practical insights in software project management. This article delves into the life, achievements, and enduring legacy of Fred Brooks, whose career has significantly influenced the computing discipline.

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Detailed Examination of “The Mythical Man-Month” by Fred Brooks

Among the multitude of publications in Information Technology (IT), Fred Brooks’ “The Mythical Man-Month” has maintained a unique status due to its insightful analysis of software engineering and project management. This essay explores the contents and enduring insights of Brooks’ work, providing a critical analysis of each chapter, and examining its influence and continued relevance in the contemporary IT landscape.

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Comprehensive Insight into Schrems II: Analysis, Ramifications, and Adoption Checklist

Schrems II is a significant ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) that has far-reaching implications for transatlantic data transfers. Here’s a detailed analysis of the ruling along with its ramifications and a checklist for adopting the measures necessitated by Schrems II.

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Critique of “Gold-plated HS2 looks dead. So let’s run the numbers on a bronze-plated design” by Nils Pratley

Brief critique and analysis of “Gold-plated HS2 looks dead. So let’s run the numbers on a bronze-plated design”, by Nils Pratley…

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Analyzing The Guardian’s Coverage of Murdoch’s Interest in The Spectator

Dive into Media Ownership, Ideological Disquiet, and Commercial Rivalries through Analysis of “Rupert Murdoch’s last move? The Spectator is in his sights” by Jim Waterson in The Guardian.

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Ramifications from Gabriel Weinberg CEO of DuckDuckGo calling out Google

Precis and Critical Analysis of “DuckDuckGo CEO says Google kills competition through phone deals that make it hard for users to switch search engines: ‘It’s too many steps’” by Paul Wiseman, Michael Liedtke, and the Associated Press from Fortune.

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Disconcerting Revelation: The Importance of Upholding Time-Honored Doctrine Amid Societal Flux

Based on a survey reported by The Times, the article explores the growing inclination among some CofE clerics to align church doctrine with contemporary societal attitudes, particularly concerning sex, marriage, and gender roles. This piece provides a thorough review of the survey’s findings while advocating for the Catholic Church’s steadfast adherence to traditional teachings.

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Navigating Leadership Evolution: A Simplified Transition Model from Startup to Scale-Up

Transitioning from startup to scale-up requires leaders to shift from hands-on roles to more strategic positions. This discussion examines the approach recommended in the article “How to move from a startup founder to a scale-up founder” by Colin Hewitt, and looks to analyse the article, the approach, make recommendations for improvement by simplifying the initial five-role model into a three-role framework – Executive, Manager, and Executor, aiming to ease this transition. By offering visual representation, real-world examples, personalized assessments, and mentorship, we aim to provide a clear, value-added pathway for leaders evolving alongside their growing organizations.

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Comparative Analysis of Personality Frameworks: MBTI, Business Chemistry, DISC, and Gallup Strengths

Provides a mapping across the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Deloitte’s Business Chemistry, DISC, and Gallup Strengths frameworks, illustrating potential intersections among different personality typologies. By dissecting each MBTI personality type based on four dichotomies (Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving), the table attempts to map them to corresponding categories in Business Chemistry, DISC, and Gallup Strengths.

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No Shit Sherlock: The Overdue Collapse of NFT Mania

In the midst of an era where digital monopolizes not only communication but value, the booming bubble of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) has finally met its bursting point, a scenario as obvious as it was inevitable. A recent study featured in an article by Neirin Gray Desai from DailyMail highlights a stark reality: 95% of the NFT market is now categorized as ‘worthless’. The wave that swept celebrities like Justin Bieber into a $1.3 million expenditure for a ‘Bored Ape’ NFT has retreated, leaving the artwork’s value deflated by 97% to a mere $37,000.

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Code as Documentation: does it stack up?

The phrase “the code is the documentation” captures an idea that is somewhat controversial within the software development community. Personally, while I tacitly agree, I find it elitist and exclusionary, the barrier, being of course, the ability to “read” code to a sufficient level to be able to interpret it meaningfully. But that’s just my subjective opinion, here are some aspects that illuminate different viewpoints in a more objective and balanced manner.

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Critical Analysis of Steven Levy’s WIRED Article on Elon Musk’s Biography by Walter Isaacson

The WIRED article “If Elon Musk Had Been a Happy Child, Would He Still Be Launching Rockets?” by Steven Levy delves into biographer Walter Isaacson’s insights on Elon Musk, drawn from Isaacson’s extensive new biography of the tech mogul, simply titled “Elon Musk”. This critical analysis examines Steven Levy’s WIRED article, scrutinizing its engagement with Walter Isaacson’s biographical approach to Elon Musk, while also questioning the ethical considerations Levy brings into focus.

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Crafting Compelling Value: Mastering the Value Proposition Canvas and Mapping

Unlock the full potential of your business offerings with our in-depth guide on the Value Proposition Canvas and Mapping. Learn how to align your products and services precisely with customer needs, crafting a value proposition that speaks directly to your target audience. This article provides a step-by-step approach to understanding customer requirements, optimizing your offerings, and communicating value effectively, setting the stage for enhanced customer satisfaction and business success.

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Review of “Punk’s spirit is broken” by Lias Saoudi, frontman of Fat White Family

Punks not Dead sang Watty, but, by now, it most definitely is. When you over intellectualise the argument, it’s definitely not punk anymore. Quick review of a recent article published on Unherd.

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Overview of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a widely used personality assessment tool based on Carl Jung’s theory of psychological types. Developed by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, the MBTI classifies individuals into one of 16 personality types based on four dichotomies:

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“Desiderata” by Max Ehhrman

Max Ehrmann (1872-1945) was an American writer, best known for his prose poem “Desiderata” (1927). Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, he pursued a career in law before turning to writing. While Ehrmann wrote many works, it’s “Desiderata,” with its wise and calming advice, gained posthumous fame in the 1960s and remains popular today. Its message promotes peace, love, and understanding, emphasizing personal contentment and the intrinsic value of every individual. Ehrmann’s other works, though lesser-known, also reflect his philosophical and spiritual contemplations.

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Critical Analysis of Deloitte’s Business Chemistry model

Deloitte’s Business Chemistry is a relatively newer player in the field of personality assessments, designed specifically for the workplace. It seeks to categorize individuals into one of four main types: Pioneers, Drivers, Integrators, and Guardians. While it has found a place in corporate settings and has its proponents, like all models, it’s essential to scrutinize its strengths and limitations critically.

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