Did you know? It may not seem alike at first but there is the relation between sports and IT roles. It may sound strange but both have the relationship you wouldn't expected. Before explanation, first, we need to understand what the Olympic event is about.

Originating in Greece, the Olympic Games have grown to become one of the most important sporting events in human history. It consists of various kinds of sports in the world with the global participants compete for gold medals.

However, how sports can relate to IT which is only digital? The answer can be explained in this blog.

 

1.   Project Manager (Modern Pentathlon)

 

Maybe you don’t know but people usually relate Project Manager role with Modern Pentathlon. It’s strange when hearing at first but it will make sense when thinking about the reasons.

• Planning and Organization: Modern pentathlon consists of 5 events (fencing, freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, and a combined event of laser-run). Athletes need to balance their effort in each event similar to project manager plans and organizes resources for many projects.

• Resource Management: Like project manager manage team members, budgets, resources, athlete must manage their time, stamina in all 5 sports.
  

• Goal Setting: Both roles have in common is their sight set on goal. Project manager setup milestones and deadlines for each project, athlete put their best performance in each event.
  

• Teamwork and Communication: teamwork, communication with members is necessary to get through hard challenge. For project manager is to resolve complex problem in projects, for athlete, is working with their team to achieve first place. 
  

2.   Product Owner (Basketball)

 

People think a project owner is an easy job but no, they are responsible in many processes in the development. The role has many aspects that can be related to basketball.

• Vision and Strategy: Both roles set clear goals and lead the way to success. Product Owner define the objective of the project, just like team coach setup strategy for winning.

• Decision Making: Product owner makes decision based on project scope, budget, priorities. As for basketball, team coach and leader decide which strategies best in ever-changing situation of the game.
  

• Performance Monitoring: Both need monitoring the situation to make adjustment and adapt to the situation when need. For example, product owner monitors the situation, progress against remaining time, goals. For basketball, coach monitor each player’s progress to make change to benefit the team.

• Conflict Resolution: They need the skill to resolve conflict within the team or outside and find solutions that benefit the team or project.
  

3.   Scrum Master (Rowing)

 

Anyone is surprised that Scrum Master, a role checking on Agile progress, is related to Rowing, a highly competitive sport. The reason for that relation we can see as below.

• Team Coordination: In Agile, Scrum Master inspire collaboration with team member to ensure everyone works toward common goal. Just like rowing, the captain also inspire team member to synchronize and sail fast to the goal.

• Continuous Improvement: rowers continuously refine their technique to improve though feedback from their coach. Much like Scrum Master, they receive feedback from team members to improve the team process and performance.
  

• Goal Setting and Achievement: Both has the similarity which is set their goal and worked hard to achieve that goal.
  

• Motivation and Morale: They has to maintain motivation and raise morale of their team member to keep them motivate and focus throughout the process.
  

4.   Software Architect (Archery)

 

We always think anyone has good eye can become an archer like Robin Hood but who thought that Software Architect is mostly related to Archery, maybe they can shoot arrow like Robin Hood? The answer is yes and no, Boths are similar to each other with reason as below.

• Precision and Planning: Software architect plans and designs the structure of the system with precision so that all components work perfectly. Similar to Archery, they must have good accuracy and planning to hit the target far away to get better ranking.

• Strategic Design: When shooting an arrow, an archer must modify their stance, technique, and aim according to the position and distance of the target. Similar to Software Architects for they must design the strategy for the high-level system to work.
  

• Attention to Detail: This aspect is important for both roles, for archers, they calculate their shot to the details to hit their target. Software Architects must be attention to each detail in the system components to work flawlessly.

• Execution and Execution: Software Architect ensures that their designs are implemented correctly and making necessary adjustments. Archers must execute their shots with consistency and accuracy.

5.   Backend Developer (Weightlifting)

 

It isn’t an exaggeration when they say Backend Developer and Weightlifters are the heavy carrier with the following reason:

• Foundation building: weightlifters must build a strong foundation strength enough to lift the necessary weight in the sport. Similar to Backend Engineer, they build a good foundation structure for the application to work correctly.

• Problem solving: Backend Developer often encounter complex problems and they need good problem solving skill to solve it. Weightlifters also face challenges as they need strategies to compensate for their lack of strength in the competition.

• Consistency and Discipline: Both roles need consistent effort and discipline to achieve success. For example, Backend Developers regularly update the system while Weightlifter follow their training schedule without missing a day.

6.   Frontend Developer (Gymnastics)

 

Frontend Developer and Gymnastics have similar aspects and interesting traits in their roles as follow:

• Creativity: Both frontend development and gymnastics need creativity to perform their roles in an artistic and impressive way for others to enjoy.

• User Experience: Frontend developers focus on the end-user experience, ensuring that applications are user-friendly and visually appealing. Gymnasts perform routines for an audience and judges, aiming to deliver an impressive and enjoyable performance.
  

• Presentation Skills: Both frontend developers and gymnasts need presentation skills to achieve good performance in front of their user/audience.

7.   Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer (Fencing)

 

QA engineer is similar to Fencer in many ways for their skills and characteristics as follow:

• Attention to Detail: QA engineers always test software to identify bugs and ensure quality, paying close attention to every detail. Similarly, Fencers must be precise in their movements and techniques, as small errors can lead to losing points.

• Risk Management: QA engineers assess risks and focus their attention and efforts in testing cases based on the impact and likelihood of bugs. Fencers also evaluate the risks of various moves and decide on the best actions to take during a match.
  

• Focus and Concentration: QA engineers need high concentration to detect for bugs hard to be found out. Fencers need intense focus to execute precise moves and respond quickly to their opponent's actions.

8.   UI/UX Designer (Figure Skating)

 

A UI/UX designer and a figure skater share several interesting similarities in terms of creativity, user/audience engagement, and iterative improvement:

• Aesthetic Appeal: UI/UX designers create visually appealing interfaces that enhance their user experience. Figure skaters perform routines that are visually captivating, combining athleticism with artistic expression to engage and impress the audience.

• Creativity and Innovation: Both roles require a high level of creativity. UI/UX designers need to come up with innovative design and user interfaces, while figure skaters do unique routines which shows their creativity.
  

• Emotional Connection: UI/UX designers aim to create an emotional connection with users through their thoughtful design. Figure skaters strive to connect emotionally with the audience through their expressions, movements, and storytelling.

9.   Business Analyst (Cycling)

 

Does doing Business Analyst job can help you cycling like a professional? The answer is no but there are some characteristics that both of them share the same:

• Data Analysis and Performance Monitoring: Business analysts analyze data to make good decisions and provide insights for improvements. Cyclists analyze their performance data (speed, distance, heart rate) to optimize their training and performance in races.

• Collaboration and Communication: Business analysts work with various stakeholders to gather requirements and communicate findings. Cyclists often work with coaches, teammates, and support staff to enhance their training and race strategies.
  

• Adaptability: Since the environment in each of these positions changes every second and the unexpected can happen at any time. They must be able to adapt to unexpected situation to achieve the best result in their fields.

 

10.   Security Engineer (Boxing)

 

Boxing is one of Olympic sports which you defense yourself from the attacker and give them their own medicine. We can relate this sport to Security Engineer role for the following reasons:

• Defense and Protection: Security Engineers are responsible for protecting systems and data from threats and vulnerabilities. Just like Boxers who focus on defensive techniques to protect themselves from opponents' attacks.

• Continuous Vigilance: Security Engineers must be constantly vigilant, monitoring systems for potential security threats. Boxers also need to stay alert to their opponent's moves and ready to react for any action they pull off.
  

• Incident Response: When a security breach occurs, Security Engineers respond swiftly to mitigate damage and restore security. Boxers also react quickly to counter their opponent’s moves and recover from any hits they take.

 

We can concur that many IT roles have similarity with Olympic sports even though they belong to different fields. Now we can joke about how the IT guys can become a professional athlete if they give a try on their match sports.

If you want to know more about these IT roles in Software Development, you can contact us at Dicom Interactive for consultation.

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