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Privacy & Policy
Exploring a Humane Interface for Gathering Workforce Data
Thanks for taking the time to test my prototype and help me complete my MFA thesis.
The focus of my thesis is on how a service that is designed to gather real-time information about a workforce might be deployed with an interface that respects the privacy of the individuals the comprise the workforce to be observed.
Here are a few things to keep in mind while you test the prototype:
- There are no wrong answers. Subjective, personal experiences are what I am after. This is a test of the prototype—not you or your competency.
- There are no wrong actions. If you click on something and something occurs that you didn't expect or desire, that is a fault of the interface—not you.
- Tell me what you are doing and why you are doing it as you are doing it. This is actually harder and more unnatural than you think, but it is super helpful for me to know why you are doing what you are doing.
- Pretend it is real. I am most interested if the interface is respectful of your privacy. This will require you to imagine that your employer has deployed the system simulated by the prototype.
- The prototype is a work in progress. There is a lot of missing functionality, and little attention had been paid to the visual design in the current iteration. The current focus is on the core functionality.
Overview
Permissions
Data and observations I gather during this testing sessions will likely be used in my final thesis. However, I will be scrubbing this data to protect your identity. In other words, I will never use your real name or any other similar information that could identify your person.
Prototype Inputs
The information you provide in the following fields will not be used beyond this testing session. This information is purely for the purpose of creating a realistic experience.
Name (First and Last)
Current Employer
Start
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Clint Rule
MFA Student, ITGM
Savannah College of Art & Design
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Privacy & Policy
Exploring a Humane Interface for Gathering Workforce Data
Scenario One
You are invited to participate in a workplace study.
Start
Clint Rule
MFA Student, ITGM
Savannah College of Art & Design
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Privacy & Policy
Exploring a Humane Interface for Gathering Workforce Data
Scenario Two
You are notified that a new activity has been added to the study in which you are participating.
Start
Clint Rule
MFA Student, ITGM
Savannah College of Art & Design
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Privacy & Policy
Exploring a Humane Interface for Gathering Workforce Data
Scenario Three
You need to suspend your participation
in a study for a few hours.
Start
Clint Rule
MFA Student, ITGM
Savannah College of Art & Design
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Privacy & Policy
Exploring a Humane Interface for Gathering Workforce Data
Scenario Four
You are notified that the study has concluded and your personal results are available for review.
Start
Clint Rule
MFA Student, ITGM
Savannah College of Art & Design
Notifications
Active Studies
Understanding Where Work Happens
3 Weeks Until Start Date
Activity
Analytics
Agreement
Welcome to your BetterMetrics dashboard!
You can securely access this dashboard at any time to review information about current studies, review past studies, and monitor your study activities in real time.
Whenever something important happens on a study in which you are participating, a notification will appear here. We'll also be sure to send you an email.
Notifications
Mapping an Informaal Organization Chart has added a new activity. Please review the new activity and select set your desired permission.
1h
Understanding Where Work Happens has extended the current phase by two days.
2d
Mapping an Informal Organization Chart begins the main phase of the study in one day.
Jan 14
View All (2)
Active Studies
Mapping an Informal Organization Chart
2,345 Activities Observed - 3 Weeks Remaining
Activity
Analytics
Agreement
Discovering Knowledge Silos
870 Activities Observed - 4 Months Remaining
Activity
Analytics
Agreement
View Past Studies
Understanding Where Work Happens
4,345 Activities Observed - 6 Days Remaining
Activity
Analytics
Agreement
Did you know?
The icons beside each item in your activity feed represent the systems used to monitor the activity item.
Understanding Where
Work Happens
Overview
We will soon be hosting a study that will help us improve the place in which we work. In this study, we will be analyzing how we use our workplace in order to better optimize the workplace layout, understand what amenities should be provided to our people, and support daily the natural daily routines of our people.
Our workplace—the collection of offices, meeting rooms, desks, break areas, and so on—plays an important role in how we accomplish our goals. This is true for the individual and the organization.
Participation
To conduct this study, we will need participants. That is why you received this invite—to be a participant.
IM Communication
In-Person Communication
Workplace Location
Overview
Participation
Timeline
Activities & Permissions
Email Communication
Software Usage
Phone Communication
!
!
!
!
!
!
Agreement
!
Timeline
The following chart provides a breakdown of the basic phases and corresponding dates of the study.
July 12
2014
Preparation & Permissions
3 weeks
During this span, invitees are given time to respond and software and hardware is deployed that will facilitate the study.
August 3
2014
Data Gathering
3 months
This is when the actual study is executed. The activites volunteered by participants will be monitored by the system. Participants can view their personal data gathered by the system, change activity permissions, and opt out of the study.
December 5
2014
Synthesis & Review
2 months
The study is concluded and the data harvested by the study is synthesized and reviewed by your employer and BetterMetrics in order to make strategic decisions. Participants will still be able to view their personal data.
February 8
2015
Data Scrubbing & Storage
No Time Limit
To protect the privacy of participants, all data from the study is scrubbed to ensure participant identity cannot be traced. Individual participants are welcome to store their personal data on their own machines or create and account with BetterMetrics to store the data on BetterMetrics servers.
Activities & Permissions
Studies are focused on monitoring several key activities of participants. The following is a detailed list of all the activities that are in the scope of this study. Please review each activity and choose whether you will allow the study to gather data about you regarding each activity.
You must respond to each activity before submitting this form.
Email Communication
When I send and receive email, the system will log the email addresses in the To, Cc, and Bcc fields. None of the content of the email—including the subject line, message body, and attachments—will be logged.
When I send an email, the system will log recipient email addresses that belong to the ABC Corp domain.
When I send an email, the system will log recipient email addresses that appear to belong to partners, vendors, clients, or potential clients.
When I send an email, the system will log all recipient addresses that do not belong to the ABC Corp domain and do not appear to belong to partners, vendors, clients, or potential clients.
When I receive an email, the system will log the sender's email address and other recipient email addresses that belong to the ABC Corp domain.
When I receive an email, the system will log the sender's email address and other recipient email addresses that appear to belong to partners, vendors, clients, or potential clients.
When I receive an email, the system will log the sender's email address and all recipient addresses that do not belong to the ABC Corp domain and do not appear to belong to partners, vendors, clients, or potential clients.
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you send an email to a colleague while in Room 114.
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you send an email to a colleague while in Room 114.
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you send an email to a colleague while in Room 114.
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you send an email to a colleague while in Room 114.
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you send an email to a colleague while in Room 114.
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you send an email to a colleague while in Room 114.
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you send an email to a colleague while in Room 114.
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you send an email to a colleague while in Room 114.
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you send an email to a colleague while in Room 114.
View More Examples
The following are fictional examples of Email Communication activities that could be logged by the system based on your current permission responses.
OK
IT DEPENDS
NO THANKS
Why have I been invited to this study?
You have been identified as meeting one or more of the following criteria:
- Current employee
- Located in the Seattle office
Is participation mandatory?
Not at all.
Can I choose to opt out later?
Yes.
If you select to opt out during the study, you will have the option allow or disallow the study to use the data gathered up to the time you opted out.
What types of activities will be monitored?
There are several basic activities that will be monitored in this study.
In the Activities & Permissions section of this page, you will have the opportunity to view all the monitored activities in detail.
Who will see the data gathered by the study?
You, your employer, and BetterMetrics will have access to all data you have volunteered the study to gather. This data will be available to view at anytime during
This data can only be used for the purposes expressed in the overview section as well as the fine print in the legal documentation for this study.
However, protecting the privacy of participants is a big deal. After a set amount of time after the study concludes, your data will be scrubbed of anything that might identify you. For more info, view the Timeline section on this page.
When you receive or place a call on a company phone, the system will log the phone number to which the call is connected. The system will also log the time and duration of the call.
All Outgoing Calls. When I place a call on a company phone, the system will log the phone number I call, the time, and duration.
All Incoming Calls. When I receive a call on a company phone, the system will log the phone number that placed the call, the time, and duration.
Only Internal Numbers. When I place or receive a call on a company phone to or from a company number, the system will log the connecting phone number and the time and duration of the call.
Audio Recording. The system will record the audio content of the call.
You placed a call to a Washington number that lasted 14 minutes.
You received a call from a colleague that lasted 2 minutes. You discussed "budget", "schedule", ...
You placed a call to colleague Jared York that lasted 6 minutes.
You placed a call to a Washington number that lasted 14 minutes.
You received a call from a colleague that lasted 2 minutes. You discussed "budget", "schedule", ...
You placed a call to colleague Jared York that lasted 6 minutes.
You placed a call to a Washington number that lasted 14 minutes.
You received a call from a colleague that lasted 2 minutes. You discussed "budget", "schedule", ...
You placed a call to colleague Jared York that lasted 6 minutes.
View More Examples
The following are fictional examples of Phone Communication activities that could be logged by the system based on your current permission responses.
IM Communication
In-Person Communication
Workplace Location
Overview
Participation
Timeline
Activities & Permissions
Email Communication
Software Usage
Phone Communication
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!
!
!
!
!
Agreement
!
Restroom Biometrics
!
Specifics
Summary
Participant Agreement
Privacy is a big deal to us. We pride ourselves on adhering to privacy policies and standards that are more strict than any privacy standards held by US government.
We realize that fine print is a headache, and almost no one reads it. So, we created a list of highlights from the documentation to give you an idea of what you are agreeing it. But, really, you should read the fine print if you are at all concerned about your privacy.
Download
Only what you provide. We will only collect the personal data that you explicitly allow.
Clear purpose. We will only use the data provided for the purposes outlined by the study.
Let's keep it professional. Unless it directly pertains to the study and is in conformity with national legislation, we will not collect data concerning criminal convictions, sex life, personal medical data, worker organizations, political beliefs, religious or other beliefs.
Oops. If you unintentionally provide data for the study that goes beyond the study's purposes, it should not be processed. We'll do our best to notify you if any data shows up that seems outside of the study's scope.
What's ours is really yours. Whatever data is gathered about you will be accessible and viewable by you. Similarly, you will have the ability to request corrections regarding data about you that is incorrect.
Expiration date. After a certain amount of time (outlined in the above Timeline section) your data will be scrubbed of any attributes that might identify it as belonging to you.
No secret spying. All means of monitoring to be used in the study will be made clear when the study is officially launched.
Consequence-free recourse. You are free terminate your participation at any time. The study also provides an anonymous platform for voicing concerns regarding the study.
Care, not coercion. Data yielded by the study should not be used for coercive or disciplinary purposes.
Examples
Phone Communication
OK
IT DEPENDS
NO THANKS
Specifics
Summary
Examples
When I participate in a face-to-face conversation, the system will log the people with whom I am speaking, my body language, as well as the duration and the audio content of the conversation.
All Outgoing Calls. When I place a call on a company phone, the system will log the phone number I call, the time, and duration.
All Incoming Calls. When I receive a call on a company phone, the system will log the phone number that placed the call, the time, and duration.
Only Internal Numbers. When I place or receive a call on a company phone to or from a company number, the system will log the connecting phone number and the time and duration of the call.
Audio Recording. The system will record the audio content of the call.
You had a conversation with a colleague that lasted 5 minutes. You discussed budget, schedule, ...
You had a conversation with 11 people that lasted 45 minutes.
You had a conversation with colleague Jared York that lasted 2 minutes.
You had a conversation with a colleague that lasted 5 minutes. You discussed budget, schedule, ...
You had a conversation with 11 people that lasted 45 minutes.
You had a conversation with colleague Jared York that lasted 2 minutes.
You had a conversation with a colleague that lasted 5 minutes. You discussed budget, schedule, ...
You had a conversation with 11 people that lasted 45 minutes.
You had a conversation with colleague Jared York that lasted 2 minutes.
View More Examples
The following are fictional examples of In-Person Communication activities that could be logged by the system based on your current permission responses.
In-Person Communication
OK
IT DEPENDS
NO THANKS
Specifics
Summary
Examples
When I am on company property, the system will log the room or area I am in.
All Non-Private and Non-Recreational Areas. The system will log your location while you are in all non-private and non-recreational areas.
Private Areas. The system will log my location while I am in private areas on company property (e.g. restrooms).
Recreational Areas. The system will log my location while I am in recreational areas on company property (e.g. break rooms).
You entered Room 114.
You entered the Restroom.
You entered Room 224.
You entered Room 114.
You entered the Restroom.
You entered Room 224.
You entered Room 114.
You entered the Restroom.
You entered Room 224.
View More Examples
The following are fictional examples of Workplace Location activities that could be logged by the system based on your current permission responses.
Workplace Location
OK
IT DEPENDS
NO THANKS
Specifics
Summary
Examples
When I am using a company device, the software I use and how I use it will be logged.
All Software. The system will log any software I use on a company device.
Approved Software. The system will log any software that I have given explicit permission to log. (Please note that you will be prompted for permission request when opening software that you have not already granted or denied permission.)
Browser History. The system will log the websites I visit.
You opened Internet Explorer.
You focused on Microsoft Excel.
You accessed a website at wikipedia.com.
You opened Internet Explorer.
You focused on Microsoft Excel.
You accessed a website at wikipedia.com.
You opened Internet Explorer.
You focused on Microsoft Excel.
You accessed a website at wikipedia.com.
View More Examples
The following are fictional examples of Software Usage activities that could be logged by the system based on your current permission responses.
Software Usage
OK
IT DEPENDS
NO THANKS
Specifics
Summary
Examples
IM Communication
When I send and receive instant messages on the company's official instant message protocol, the system will log who I am chatting with and the content of the chat.
IM Identity. When I send and receive IMs on the company's IM protocol, the system will log who I am chatting with.
IM Content. When I send and receive IMs on the company's IM service, the system will log the content of the conversation.
You sent an IM to Jared York that included keywords "budget", "schedule", ...
You received an IM from Nancy Graff.
You received an IM from Samir Advani that included keywords "PMFT", "budget", ...
You sent an IM to Jared York that included keywords "budget", "schedule", ...
You received an IM from Nancy Graff.
You received an IM from Samir Advani that included keywords "PMFT", "budget", ...
You sent an IM to Jared York that included keywords "budget", "schedule", ...
You received an IM from Nancy Graff.
You received an IM from Samir Advani that included keywords "PMFT", "budget", ...
View More Examples
The following are fictional examples of Instant Messaging Communication activities that could be logged by the system based on your current permission responses.
OK
IT DEPENDS
NO THANKS
Specifics
Summary
Examples
Personal Benefits
Organizational Benefits
At the end of the study, personalized insights regarding your workplace and how you function within it will be made privately available for you.
Depending on what information you allow to be observed in the study, you can expect some of the following categories of insights.
• When and where are you most productive?
• When and where do your most meaningful conversations happen?
• What are your behavioral patterns and how do they compare with your workplace?
• How might you better take advantage of the work day and workplace to increase job satisfaction?
• What types of colleagues might you contact to break down personal silos and meaningfully increase your network?
When an organization better understands the intricacies of the workplace and how their people use it, informed decisions can be made to ensure the workforce is outfitted with a workplace optimized for meaningful productivity and job satisfaction.
Depending on what information is gathered in the study, management will be considering improvements in the following categories.
• Location, location, location. The primary aim of this study is to make sure we understand the "geography" of our workplace, so that we can arrange it to be the best it can be.
• Perfect timing. A nuanced understanding of the natural ebb and flow of work can influence decisions to better optimize the workday to match how people actually work.
• The right stuff. The study might inform decisions to invest in anything from better equipment for getting work done as well as better amenities to encourage a comfortable atmosphere.
• What else? As the study progresses, all manner of exciting insights might come to light and you are encouraged to chime in.
Confirm
Everything looks good. Click the button to confirm your participation.
When I am using a company toilet, certain attributes of my urine will be analyzed to determine blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and body weight.
Blood sugar level. The system will log my blood sugar level when I use a company toilet.
Blood Pressure. The system will log my blood pressure when I use a company toilet.
Body Mass Index & Weight. The system will log my BMI and body weight when I use a company toilet.
Your blood sugar level was normal (130 mpd).
Your BMI was 26.1 and your wedight was at 184 lbs.
Your blood pressure was normal (104 mm Hg).
Your blood sugar level was normal (130 mpd).
Your BMI was 26.1 and your wedight was at 184 lbs.
Your blood pressure was normal (104 mm Hg).
Your blood sugar level was normal (130 mpd).
Your BMI was 26.1 and your wedight was at 184 lbs.
Your blood pressure was normal (104 mm Hg).
View More Examples
The following are fictional examples of Restroom Biometrics activities that could be logged by the system based on your current permission responses.
Anonymously flag this activity as inappropriate. Please provide a comment below to inform the management of your company why you believe this activity should not be included in the study.
Submit
Anonymously flag this activity as inappropriate. Please provide a comment below to inform the management of your company why you believe this activity should not be included in the study.
You have successfully flagged this activity.
Restroom Biometrics
OK
IT DEPENDS
NO THANKS
Specifics
Summary
Examples
New
You Have Been Invited to a Workplace Study
Doreen Saranson
Sent:
To:
Friday, January 31, 2014 4:18 PM
John Doe;
View Study Overview
Understanding Where We Work
A study of our workplace environment, job satisfaction, and productivity
Hosted by [[userCompany]] and BetterMetrics
[[userName]],
[[userCompany]] is joining forces with BetterMetrics to launch a study that will help us better understand our workplace environment in hopes of increasing job satisfaction and productivity.
You have been selected and invited to participate in the study.
For more information about the study and to accept or decline the invitation to participate, please view the study overview.
New Activity Added to Study Understanding Where We Work
BetterMetrics
Sent:
To:
Friday, January 31, 2014 4:18 PM
[[userName]]
New Activity
Understanding Where We Work
A study of our workplace environment, job satisfaction, and productivity
Hosted by [[userCompany]] and BetterMetrics
[[userName]],
[[userCompany]] has recently added a new activity to the study Understanding Where We Work. For more information and to opt in or out, please view the new activity.
Notifications
Mapping an Informal Organization Chart has added a new activity. Please review the new activity and select set your desired permission.
1h
Understanding Where Work Happens has extended the current phase by two days.
2d
Mapping an Informal Organization Chart begins the main phase of the study in one day.
Jan 14
View All
Mapping an Informal Organization Chart
2.3k Activities Observed - 3 Weeks Remaining
Discovering Knowledge Silos
870 Activities Observed - 4 Months Remaining
Understanding Where Work Happens
4.4k Activities Observed - 6 Days Remaining
Active Studies
View Past Studies
BetterMetrics
BetterMetrics
Studies
Notifications
3
Self Center
My Activity Feed
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you send an email to a colleague while in Room 114.
1h
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you enter the Room 114-C.
2h
Mapping an Informal Organization Chart dolor sit amet, consectetur Activity Type. Aenean euismod bibendum laoreet.
18h
How long would you like to suspend your participation in all studies?
8 Hours
3 Hours
1 Hour
30 Minutes
Other
Snooze Activity Monitoring
What's this?
Snooze Activity Monitoring
1 hour remaining
Notifications
Mapping an Informal Organization Chart has added a new activity. Please review the new activity and select set your desired permission.
1h
Understanding Where Work Happens has extended the current phase by two days.
2d
Mapping an Informal Organization Chart begins the main phase of the study in one day.
Jan 14
View All
Mapping an Informal Organization Chart
2.3k Activities Observed - 3 Weeks Remaining
Discovering Knowledge Silos
870 Activities Observed - 4 Months Remaining
Understanding Where Work Happens
4.4k Activities Observed - 6 Days Remaining
Active Studies
View Past Studies
BetterMetrics
Snooze Active
1 hour remaining
Understanding Where Work Happens
BetterMetrics
Studies
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0
Self Center
My Activity Feed
Snooze Activity Monitoring
What's this?
The most recent activities logged in studies in which you are participating will appear in this area.
An exhaustive listing of all your activities can be viewed in 'My Activity Feed'.
BetterMetrics
Studies
Notifications
3
Self Center
My Activity Feed
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you send an email to a colleague while in Room 114.
1h
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you enter the Room 114-C.
2h
Mapping an Informal Organization Chart dolor sit amet, consectetur Activity Type. Aenean euismod bibendum laoreet.
18h
Understanding Where Work Happens observed you send an instant message to a colleague while in Room 203.
1d
Snooze Activity Monitoring
What's this?
Thanks!
You will receive more information and instructions regarding the study as the official start date approaches.
Remember that you are free to change your activity permissions or terminate your participation at any time.
Continue to Dashboard
Activity Permissions Updated
You have successfully updated your activity permissions
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