I both hoped and feared that TANDEM would have a chance to materialize this semester.

As a tool, I see a genuine need to streamline the data generation step of the visualization and analysis process. As a methodology, there is so much out there for those who are willing to dig deep into documentation and get into processing their artifacts. There is less for the novice, the tinkerer, the one who wants to taste the atmosphere of DH.

Above all else, TANDEM needs to deliver tangible results in the next four months. I am still confident, perhaps oddly confident (?), that we can pull it off.

Steve has the kind of grounded technical perspective that I need to achieve our deliverables. He has already begun to pull in the reigns to get us to a target product that is within our reach. Kelly and Jojo are both spirited in a way that continues to inspire me to think through every element so we can be successful. There are lines of communication open both internally and externally that will feed into this forward movement.

That said, after completing our project plan together this week, I have discovered weak points in that communication hierarchy. We are going to have to distill things down to reduce confusion. Acting as project manager is opening my eyes to the talent that I have on this team. It will be exciting to see the dynamic of relationships meld over the coming months.

The most challenging aspect of the TANDEM project will be stepping back and trusting that my team will be able to achieve what we’ve signed up for. At this moment, I remain confident.