Natasha van Rooyen

Completing Masters in Innovation & Tech Management
da Vinci Institute for Tech Management

CURRENT RESEARCH: Systems thinking in mapping variables and states in organisations; Mapping a modeling ontology; Information and entropy of business/social systems in complex and chaotic environments.

Over and above research, design and development of learning materials across adult development bands (General, Further and Higher), I have working knowledge of the compliance challenges and enablers faced by various institutions as regards knowledge-management. My expertise in advising on compliance-related issues in small companies and large corporate have prepared me well for applying more innovative ways of dealing with information and leveraging such information in a knowledge-driven economy.

My previous experience in an executive position, managing training-related strategies, activities and compliance challenges for FirstRand Group’s 36 business units (FNB, WesBank, RMB, Momentum, Discovery, EBucks, etc) provided the fundamental platform necessary to assist and advise businesses in their establishment of business units (profit or cost centres) within which sponsored-learning could take place.

My own business in 2003 supported me through various projects involving, amongst others, the design and development of quality management systems and operations for SMMEs and developing training infrastructure frameworks. I have spoken at various international conferences and SETA forums. The past two years have seen my expertise progress into areas of philosophy, business analysis and systems thinking: working with abstract dynamics and environments, translating this into models that create meaning for stakeholders. In 2008 I was invited to complete my MSc in Technology Management & Innovation, within which I have developed a modelling ontology as well as developing linguistic considerations in the realm of systems theory. I advise and consult for international experts and researchers, mainly around business states, organisational theory and strategies, especially around translating ICT activities and their environments into working business models.

I was commissioned in 2009 to research, design and develop the Requirements Management modules and workshop, for the first Business Analysis National FET qualification - also contributing my own business analysis models, especially on innovation in ERP systems, value-chain and SDLC management to the material content.

My portfolio has developed into a vast, but humble, statement of experiences and insights - and being involved with the various technologies that drives and advances the business arena in South Africa is a sure way for me to fine-tune those skills. I am eager to share my abilities in the interests of advancing the notion of good business practice based on ethical research and ensuring that data is managed as intelligent information in this knowledge society.

Research skills

  • Technical
    Ability to mobilise, organise and coordinate resources (human, financial and physical, Understanding change, its evolution, and the importance of recognition and mastery of emerging technologies.
  • IT
    -Ability to use elements of Structured Query Language to perform basic queries, an understanding of computer processing, programming and program flow control, basic history and structure of the web development environment, methods and terms involved in software configuration management and version control.
  • Statistical
    Systems theory state and variable-modelling, Collection, analysis and interpretation of data, planning of the collection of data, in terms of the design of surveys and experiments.
  • Other
    Management Skills, - Coordinating research and development activities within computational, pedagogical and behavioural groups, - Staffing groups of professionals and consultants., - Supervising performance of employees, - Managing large strategic and operational budgets., - Managing a computing environment comprised of centralised mainframes, networks and distributed workstations, utilising latest advances in client/server based software systems.

Research interests

  • Interests
    Systems Thinking, Relationships, Innovation, Leadership, Philosophy of and practice of Quality Management, Leadership and Compliance in Early, General Further and Higher Education bands. Systems thinking in business. Developing adult learning, drawing from science, philosophy and physics. Developing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policies, Learning design (material and platform) and implementation for Higher Education., Other and Social Contexts, mapping organisations, modelling ontology, Information and entropy in business/social systems, organisatioal theory, behaviors, self

Research experience

  • Teaching: MERSETA SDF and IT Session 2003
  • Teaching: Cape Town - Organisational Development - Monitoring and Evaluation solutions
  • Teaching: International PMA Conference 2004
  • Teaching: Cape Town - Developing an Information Infrastructure for Technical and Learning Organisations
  • Teaching: Lecturing: Operating Systems
  • Teaching: Behavioural
  • Teaching: Organisational Development Facilitation: Mediation
  • Teaching: conflict resolution
  • Teaching: team cohesion
  • Teaching: problem situations Speaker invitationals: National RPL Conference 2002
  • Teaching: Cape Town
  • Oct 2010–
    Mar 2011
    Research: State of ICT in Western Cape, South Africa
    da Vinci Institute for Tech Management · da Vinci Institute for Tech Management
    Individual research project · Cape Town, South Africa
    systems thinking, state, variables, relations, model, meta-model
  • Oct 2010–
    Apr 2011
    Research: Organisational Modeling ontology
    Cross-industry
  • Dec 2008
    Research: Recognition of Prior Learning - portfolio development
    da Vinci Institute · Curricula Development · da Vinci Institute
    National
  • Mar 2006–
    Dec 2008
    Research: Early Childhood Integrated Learning
    N van Rooyen · Consultant · N van Rooyen
    Cape Town
  • Jul 2004–
    Mar 2005
    Research: National Training Framework
    RFA · National
    South Africa · National
    Transport
  • Mar 2002–
    Mar 2006
    Research: Provider Accreditation and Quality Management Systems
    SMMEs
    South Africa · National
    Sector-specific
  • Dec 2000–
    May 2002
    Research: Training Provider Accreditation
    FNB · L&D
    South Africa · Johannesburg
    Finance and Banking

Education

  • Apr 2008
    da Vinci Institute for Technology Management
    Innovation and Technology Management (Leonardo) · MSc
    South Africa · Johannesburg
  • Mar 2000
    Johannesburg
    Competency International
    South Africa · Gauteng
  • Dec 1999
    Johannesburg
    InfoMapping
    South Africa · Johannesburg
  • Sep 1999
    Sandton
    G&K Gray Development
    South Africa · Johannesburg
  • Jan 1997–
    Dec 1998
    UNISA
    Sociology, Ind Psych, Communication · credits BA Industrial Psychology
    South Africa · Johannesburg
  • Jan 1996
    FirstRand
    Numerous sponsored Learning 1996-2001
    South Africa · National
  • Jan 1993
    Houghton, Randburg
    South African Police Services
    South Africa · Johannesburg

Other

  • Languages
    English, Afrikaans
  • Scientific Memberships
    Cape Information Technology Initiative (CITI)
    CENCRA
  • Other Interests
    Surfing, camping, outdoor activities, research, study, debate, community initiatives and just plain absorbing Life, Science, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Journal of Physics, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Radioelectronics and Communications Systems, SAJS, Management Today, Anything by Colin Wilson, Popper, Tom Lethbridge, the Gnostic Jung, Goethe, Steiner, Sartre, Wittgenstein, Chomsky, most western tradition and post-modern Philosophy, etc, -BankSETA/ FNB Recognition Of Prior Learning Steering Committee
    -FirstRand Training Committee
    -National Money Laundering Steering Committee
    -Financial Services Industry Standards Generating Body (SGB)
    -BankSETA Skills Development Facilitator
    -BankSETA Learnership Committee Steered By ABSA

Following (96)

404
Followers
Current advisors
Dr Professor Ben Anderson Chairman Professor Roy Marcus