Research in Creative Production Management.
In April of 2011 I successfully completed and defended my graduate thesis for an M.S. in game development and project management. This was a great personal accomplishment, but more importantly it was a large step forward in expanding the practices of project management in video game development. My hypothesis was that core elements of the theatrical production process have a positive correlation with employee satisfaction in the game development workplace. I am happy to say that through a year long process I was able to support my original hypothesis with some truly surprising data. I have included my abstract on this page. If you would like a free copy of my entire thesis work please contact me directly through my site. I only ask for citation credit. ~Cheers
The Theatrically Informed Production Environment
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a connection between the theatrically informed production index, TIPI, and the employee satisfaction index, ESI, in video game development. The purpose for observing the two variables is to see if theatrically informed production principals could be an influential factor in managing game development teams. It is hoped that eventually incorporating these principals could improve satisfaction and curb burnout and turnover in the game industry. The incorporation of artists, designers, and technical personal into a team working a tight production schedule is a shared situation between game production and theatre production. Both of these processes are governed by producers watching the project constraints and (artistic) directors trying to put up the best possible product. It was through this similarity that the background for the study was established. The methodology of the study was engaged through a survey that attempted to observe ESI and TIPI amongst employees in game development teams. The results concluded that there is a positive relationship between the two research variables. Further research with a larger sample or incorporating these concepts into a case study should be the next step in expanding the relationship between TIPI and ESI in game development.
Weiland, S (April, 2011).
The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a connection between the theatrically informed production index, TIPI, and the employee satisfaction index, ESI, in video game development. The purpose for observing the two variables is to see if theatrically informed production principals could be an influential factor in managing game development teams. It is hoped that eventually incorporating these principals could improve satisfaction and curb burnout and turnover in the game industry. The incorporation of artists, designers, and technical personal into a team working a tight production schedule is a shared situation between game production and theatre production. Both of these processes are governed by producers watching the project constraints and (artistic) directors trying to put up the best possible product. It was through this similarity that the background for the study was established. The methodology of the study was engaged through a survey that attempted to observe ESI and TIPI amongst employees in game development teams. The results concluded that there is a positive relationship between the two research variables. Further research with a larger sample or incorporating these concepts into a case study should be the next step in expanding the relationship between TIPI and ESI in game development.
Weiland, S (April, 2011).