View source for User:Mct/cold-metals-area-host-notes

= things i don't like as a space user =
''which is to say, things that i find impede my ability to get things done, or which otherwise compromise my ability to use & enjoy the space, which i believe other people would agree with my about, & which i think it would generally be a good thing to improve (in so far as any of them are actually a problem - i don't mean to give the impression that i believe that cold metals, or the space in general, is rife with dysfunction)''

* clutter, mess, or broken tools
** more effort (time, energy, money, cognition) for me to work around that stuff than it should require
* not having space to work
** table space taken up by other things or unavailable to begin with
** ordinarily clear floor space taken up by stuff dumped there
*** not being able to access a tool because there are things in the way
* lack of information
** not knowing what the status (working, not working, not to be used) of a tool is
** not knowing where to find something i know is in the area and want to use
** things being moved around (officially, on the part of the host) without the users being informed
* delay
** waiting on authorization on a tool
** waiting for someone else to finish using a tool
** having to order a part because the space was out of something it stocks
** looking for something that's not in its place
* inaccessibility
** tool usage information not available (on wiki, via authorizations)
** inoperable, partially operable, or fully operable tools with broken authorization tracks
** lack of consistent organization policies across area, across shop in general

= focuses as area host =
''a few high-level projects which, taken together, could make a substantial step in helping ameliorate the above concerns, & the natural starting point for which seems to be the area host position''

* put as much information in a public, accessible, recorded form as possible
** wiki, calendar - both already well-used by membership
* make it easy & quick for people to get authorized
* prefer improving existing infrastructure / tools over acquiring new ones
* involve area users in decision-making process for the area as much as possible

= policies as area host =
''interrelated, more-or-less concrete actions, habits, initiatives, &c which seem like they could be useful in working toward / implementing the above focuses''

* within cold metals
** people stuff
*** form working group of frequent cold metals users to solicit ideas & coordinate activities
**** solicit as much input as possible, but have priorities & ability to move forward on them regardless of member participation
**** try consensus-driven decision-making
**** use rolling agendas recorded on wiki
**** record notes on wiki
**** lower barrier to participation as much as possible
***** have meetings frequently, with lots of notification (on email list)
***** actively solicit input from people who use the area but don't participate much
*** coordinate authorization availability on wiki / calendar
**** check up on people periodically to make sure they're still available for doing auths
*** go through & regularize cold-metals articles on wiki
**** make sure all tools have up-to-date wiki pages & labels
***** including inventories (variable thoroughness, suitable for value of tools in question?) of smaller tools
****** hand tools, clamps
****** mill / lathe / drillpress / grinder tooling
**** make sure authorizations are recorded
**** photograph as many things as possible, for easy identification
***** wiki infoboxes
**** point out location on map, for things that are unlikely to move
***** map out cold metals floorspace first
*** establish & record periodic area / tool / wiki maintenance procedures
**** make checklists for what needs to be done each period
**** keep record of what's been done & when
*** commit to periodic area walkthroughs
**** check for parking requests, broken tools, things out of place
** material stuff
*** regularize consumables stocking
**** set target quantities
**** periodically go through & take rough inventories
**** set up e.g. fastenal stocking program?
*** establish a labeling program, to make it easier to keep track of where things are
**** e.g. on shelves / drawers / tools
**** build on colored tool carts?
*** make sure the space stays clear
**** move things that are sitting in front of cold metals tools
**** establish actual boundaries of cold metals area?
* within ps1 in general
** work with other area hosts to establish cross-area authorization tracks / curricula
*** follow model of cold metals, woodshop auths? bundle tools with related functionalities / uses together?
*** design them around being able to do things that people commonly want to do
**** try & get people able to work on the projects they want to work on at the shop as quickly as possible