AUTHOR=Ranaweera Jayamini , Weaving Dan , Zanin Marco , Pickard Matthew C. , Roe Gregory 

TITLE=Digitally Optimizing the Information Flows Necessary to Manage Professional Athletes: A Case Study in Rugby Union

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=Volume 4 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2022.850885

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2022.850885

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=Practical case studies elaborating end-to-end attempts to improve the quality of information flows associated with athlete management processes are scarce in the current sport literature. Therefore, guided by a Business Process Management (BPM) approach, the current study presents the outcomes from a case study to optimise the quality of strength and conditioning (S&C) information flow in the performance department of a professional rugby union club. Initially, the S&C information flow was redesigned using integral technology, activity elimination and activity automation redesign heuristics. Utilising the Lean Startup framework, the redesigned information flow was digitally transformed by designing data collection, management and visualisation systems. Statistical tests used to assess the usability of the data collection systems against industry benchmarks using the System Usability Scale (SUS) administered to 55 players highlighted that its usability (mean SUS score of 87.6 ± 10.76)  was well above average industry benchmarks of similar systems (Grade A from SUS scale). In the data visualisation system, 14 minor usability problems were identified from 9 cognitive walkthroughs conducted with the HPU (high performance unit) staff. Pre-post optimisation information quality was subjectively assessed by administering a standardised questionnaire to the HPU members. The results indicated positive improvements in all of the information quality dimensions (with major improvements to the accessibility) relating to the S&C information flow. Additionally, the methods utilised in the study would be especially beneficial for sporting environments requiring cost effective and easily adoptable information flow digitisation initiatives which need to be implemented by its internal staff members.