1. web: www.omii.ac.uk email: info@omii.ac.uk How to talk to scientists? Gareth Smith Steve Wilson Steven McGough

2. web: www.omii.ac.uk email: info@omii.ac.uk 2 Overview How to talk to scientists Facilitator – Steven McGough Scribe – Steve Wilson Methods for communication between scientists and computer scientist Extension of problems in communication between scientists and computer scientists

3. web: www.omii.ac.uk email: info@omii.ac.uk 3 Problems Communication barrier between computer scientists and scientists How to achieve the end goal isn’t obvious o Standard software engineering brings in further problems in another field

4. web: www.omii.ac.uk email: info@omii.ac.uk Project management Shouldn’t use project management terms to the scientist o Can ‘scare’ the scientist away Early adoption will result in better solution Informal 1on 1 meetings with fast review can help identify goals o Discussion with more member of the group and find gaps in knowledge space 4

5. web: www.omii.ac.uk email: info@omii.ac.uk Finding the right person Requires a particular type of personality Requires knowledge in both fields Are they based in the science or development group Knowledge in area can allow identification of potential bottlenecks early in development 5

6. web: www.omii.ac.uk email: info@omii.ac.uk Building an understanding Developer placed in research group for a short period o Gains a layman’s understanding of the problem o Enough to allow computer scientist to actively work within the research group Start with a basic solution and build up to a more complex system o Allows for checking of understanding for both sides o This can be seen as ‘test cases’ 6

7. web: www.omii.ac.uk email: info@omii.ac.uk Conclusions Use proper software development methodologies o Often best to be hidden from the scientist Particular methodology determined by the project goal Need a ‘code of best practise’ for more than just development o Communication between groups 7

8. web: www.omii.ac.uk email: info@omii.ac.uk 8 Future work Software sustainability o Not taught well at Universities