This week end, my son was trying to teach me some basic concepts on Naruto (the manga). He explained how the different teams are organized (mostly teams of 3), the different magic powers they have, and how the ninjas are stronger when working together (with magic combos).
I immediately noticed similarities with the teams at JDA Labs (am I a geek?). Each team alone has amazing abilities (Data Science, Technology, UX). But just like in Naruto, instead of working in isolation, the three JDA teams can collaborate and become a “Ninja Triad formation” with additional magic powers.
In Naruto, there is the example of the Ino–Shika–Chō team. Ino has a mind technique which allows her to briefly possess an enemy. Shikamaru can control movements of others with his magic power on shadows. Chōji has massive physical strength and can perform the body-expanding technique to crush opponents. But the Ino–Shika–Chō team uses each member’s abilities in the best way possible that complements the others. Together, they are more powerful and have more magic capabilities. The team is greater than the sum of its parts.
At JDA Labs, each team is committed to developing innovative solutions to improve JDA Software. Working in collaboration, they form the “Ninja Triad” to build the future using their magic powers.
Our UX specialists are experts in human-computer interaction. Their primary role is to understand customer pain points, and how a software could be transformed to make users’ life easier. Through research activities, the UX specialists discover user needs and expectations. Then, they apply their magic to create the interface you have always dreamed of.
Magic power: UX ninjas can read your mind.
Our Data Science experts are mathematicians. When you see problems, they see numbers, equations and patterns. For them, there is always an opportunity to create a new algorithm. With any data, they can apply science to optimize a process or discover correlations and categories.
Magic power: Data Science ninjas can predict the future.
Our Technology experts are…..technologists….. They can code in several languages (Python, C#, Java, Node.js), and they can leverage cloud services to integrate multiple APIs. They can also attach a propeller to a robot, connect it to a Raspberry Pi and make it fly. Their mission is to find the right technology to solve a business problem.
Magic power: Technology ninjas can transform objects
The three teams, altogether, can make better software (or to paraphrase the IEEE tagline, they can “advance technology for humanity”). The Data Science team finds how to create value from existing data. The UX team ensures that products are designed properly. And the Technology team provides the platform to execute the software. They are the Ninja Triad of JDA Labs.
(Special thanks to RM for educating me on Naruto)
JDA Labs — The Ninja Triad was originally published in Pragmatic Technology on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.