Let’s explore software process management through a domain that often gets overlooked in technical discussions (even though it’s unlikely in my opinion): education systems. To do this, the UNESCO article “Education Management Information Systems Progress Assessment Tool: A Methodological Guide for Educational Transformation.” The article explains how structured processes, data governance, and continuous improvement cycles help educational institutions operate more “effectively and equitably”.

The UNESCO guide introduces the Education Management Information Systems Progress Assessment Tool (EMIS‑PATT), a framework designed to help ministries of education evaluate and improve their data management processes. The article emphasizes that high‑quality education depends on high‑quality data — and achieving that requires clear processes for data collection, validation, analysis, and reporting. It outlines a structured methodology that educational organizations can use to strengthen institutional capacity, improve decision‑making, and support long‑term transformation efforts aligned with global education goals.

I chose this article because it highlights how process management principles extend far beyond software development. Education systems face many of the same challenges we discuss in SPM: inconsistent workflows, unclear responsibilities, poor documentation, and difficulty scaling processes across teams. Seeing these issues in a non‑technical domain helped me appreciate how universal process thinking really is. I was also drawn to this resource because it connects directly to real‑world impact — improving data processes in education can influence policy decisions, resource allocation, and ultimately student outcomes.

What struck me most is how closely EMIS‑PATT mirrors the software process models we study in class. For example, its emphasis on iterative assessment and continuous improvement parallels Agile’s sprint cycles. Its focus on standardizing workflows resembles the structured phases of Waterfall or the disciplined practices of DevOps. Even the idea of strengthening “institutional capacity” reminded me of how development teams invest in tooling, documentation, and onboarding to improve long‑term productivity.

This article also reinforced the importance of process transparency. In education, unclear data processes can lead to inaccurate reporting, inequitable resource distribution, or students being overlooked entirely. In software engineering, unclear processes can lead to bugs, delays, and misaligned expectations. In both cases, the solution is the same: define the process, measure it, and improve it continuously.

UNESCO made me reflect on my progression through taking this Software Product Management course. It was one of the most exhilarating experiences I have ever had in an educational environment. Throughout the various activities I’ve partaken, I not only gained new skills, but I learned my strengths and weaknesses. I see process management as a foundation skill & this resource has showcased the power of processes throughout entire systems, not just for software teams.

Source: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/education-management-information-systems-progress-assessment-tool-methodological-guide-educational

From the blog CS@Worcester – theJCBlog by Jancarlos Ferreira and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

In the workplace, not only do the number of projects continue to increase, but the way in which we approach them exponentially increases as well. Tech professionals are leading the way in developing cutting edge procedures and processes for daily work, tracking and planning. Tools rapidly evolve as well, so with that being said, project management has been a lot more interesting to say the least.

Adapting to new technologies and routines is the best way to be efficient. With the changes between roles and systems of project management, there needs to be some solutions (or at least one). According to the Forbes Technology Council, they have detailed emerging trends and strategies to inform various organizations. By counting off the actions in this list, we get to see an evolution within different companies and organizations if they feel encouraged enough to take them into consideration.

Starting off, project managers need to establish a V.M.O (value management office). It is the idea of shifting the focus from project delivery to value maximization. For example, if an organization has an initiative, they align it with different goals and efficient resource use to allow for continuous improvement. It is absolutely essential, especially in today’s climate of business and organizational behavior.

Never be afraid to rely on the professionals in times of need. This article highlights the importance of relying on “senior talent”. Since they have the broadened experience, they’re capable of making quick and well informed decisions. For more complex projects, this proves to be useful, helping project managers understand business goals by creating emphasis on exceptional product ownership skills.

I told you AI is not always a bad thing. A lot of individuals, including myself, believe in the power of AI being used as a tool. It’s no secret that several organizations use it, but it is very important to note how its being used. This is called resource optimization. By allocating these resources accordingly, complexities can be well more managed. Artificial intelligence can assist with communication, task automation and provide data insight, leading to greater outcomes/output.

For me, specifically reading just the title alone, I was thinking of more teamwork-driven strategies and trends, similarly to the SCRUM and Sprint conversations during lectures. Of course, I judged a book by its cover and I knew immediately that I had to read and dissect this story. It is important to acknowledge that this article is from a year ago, meaning that more and more trends have been created at this point. These strategies however are still very applicable to today’s modern climate of process management.

As a tech person, or any business person, it is crucial to stay optimistic and see the value in making changes. I believe that myself and my generation have the potential and resources to evolve areas in their career field, with ideas that we want to see unfold. It will be very interesting to see the growth.

Source: 20 Emerging Strategies And Trends In Project Management

From the blog CS@Worcester – theJCBlog by Jancarlos Ferreira and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

With the technological advances and innovations in business continue to exponentially grow within their practices. The biggest challenge is all the pressure they face to stay afloat. From high climbing costs to having the fiercest competition with other companies. Long term, this causes danger to viability and businesses cannot afford to screw up continuously. To address these issues, a software has been implemented that eventually became the foundation of “digital transformation”, according to Digital Journal.

This is called Business Process Management (BPM), a software providing tools to quote “streamline processes, manage compliance, and adapt to shifting market conditions”. BPM is used to touch various different areas like different departments, locations, and IT systems. A revolutionary tactic has been made here, due to this process helping managers efficiently track and pinpoint errors & inefficiencies. Also for the team members, they can have a clear understanding of their goals and mission(s). 

Speaking of efficiency, this is essentially the first and most important benefit (arguably) that users hopefully will recognize. A lot more tasks can be completed in a higher-level manner. Let’s use a couple of examples: finance and healthcare. To treat and prevent illnesses, increased automation creates higher capacity. For financing, provider automation keeps secureness over companies against fraud and error. This translates to transparency, where these companies get to view their status and performance, in turn increasing accountability.

Despite the pros, all ideas come with its cons. BPM is not a straightforward process that is easily implemented whatsoever. Some businesses and organizations are limited in terms of skill gaps, fear of change and redesign complexities. In order to resolve this, companies need to broaden their vision by being open to the idea of BPM. Seeing the benefit will lead to greater outcomes in the performance as a whole.

Why is this important to discuss? The business industry is constantly changing, from the amount of businesses being formed, their structure outlines, idea creations, improving outcomes, etc. Depending on the size of the business (whether it’s yours or you work for one), there needs to be some sort of structure and process to have smooth outputs and less friction. For me personally, I knew that all businesses had their own processes in terms of how they’re run, but BPM is a new term I had never really learned or tapped into.

Moving forward, with the knowledge of programming and software development that I’m currently learning through a curriculum, I can hopefully bring a new/different perspective into a business when I am ready to delve deeper into the work field. Maintaining business process management will improve productivity, so it is not something to ignore at all. 

Source: BPM software and the move toward smarter business practices – Digital Journal

From the blog CS@Worcester – theJCBlog by Jancarlos Ferreira and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.