In the manufacturing industry, in the field of production management, there is a process known as abnormal management;  a clever measurement system designed to provide prior warning for defects in work products where people are involved.

The Niko-niko Calendar is a tool for automating this process and measuring abnormalities over time. Like many modern manufacturing innovations, it originates from Japan. The Niko-niko Calendar plugin for Redmine is a modern version of this tool that should integrate easily with our existing processes.

The value I see in this technology applied to my work specifically is in the harmony of business interests and developer’s needs.

Imagine a report containing a single table. Across the top horizontally you see each numeric day of the month, and down the left side vertically you see people’s names. In the center you have a matrix of emoticons. (more…)