The Software Process and Measurement Cast (SPaMCAST) Five features an interview with Ian Brown of Booz Allen Hamilton covering the topic of estimation.  Project estimation (whether software, hardware, network or research projects) is one the hardest areas organizations face when planning or executing work.  Ian provides serious advice for implementing an estimation program.

SPaMCAST Five includes a guest essay by Paul Laberge of CCH Canada on fitting PPQA audit to an organization to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.   If you have an idea for a guest essay contact Tom Cagley at spamcastinfo@gmail.com, the Software Process and Measurement Cast welcomes guest essays! 

Finally this cast includes comments on Putts Law.  Putts Law states that - those that understand do not manage and those that manage do not understand.  I am worried about the thought of using project managers wholesale without technical competency.  Does this casue a competency inversion?  What are the attributes of a perfect project manager?  Send your comment to spamcastinfo@gmail.com.

Next Cast:

The next cast continues the estimation theme arc on estimation with an interview with Michael Bragen of Software Productivity Research, LLC.  The essay for the cast is tentatively titled, An Estimate is Just A Number, Right?

SPaMCAST Four features an interview with Stasia Iwanicki of the David Consulting Group (www.davidconsultinggroup.com).    Stasia can be reach at s.iwanicki@davidconsultinggroup.com.  Stasia and host, Tom Cagley, discuss the how the CMMI and Six Sigma interact. 

The discussion provides information for organization to decide which model makes sense and whether they can be applied at the same time.  The discussion touched on the issue of whether a craft or factory model is healthier as a model for an information technology organizations in the 21st century.  I believe the topic foreshadows its own mud wrestle in the future.  Thoughts?

The essay in this cast is titled 'Models, Models Everywhere . . .'  The essay challenges you to clearly understand why you are using any model and to evaluate the value.  Implementing a model for the sake of model is a loosing proposition.  The essay leaves you with the question, 'models, models, everywhere . . . a powerful tool or a straight jacket?' Which is it for you?

Next Cast:
SPaMCAST Five will be released on March 25th and will feature an interview with Ian Brown of Booz Allen Hamilton.  The interview will focus on the conundrum we call estimation.  This cast will be the first in an arc of discussion on the topic of estimation.

Future Events
In April I will be presenting and teaching a workshop at the IFPUG Spring Workshops and Functional Sizing Summit (www.ifpug.org).  The workshop titled Counting New Medias:  Blogs, WIKIs, Podcasts and Second Life will be a truly hands class wrestling with sizing media and the tools used to create it. The IFPUG Spring Workshops and Functional Sizing Summit will be held Sunday, April 22 until Thursday, April 26, 2007 at the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel in Vancouver, Canada.  Information is available at www.ifpug.org.  If you are attending let me know and will see about a friends of SPaMCAST gathering.

On June 21 at 3 PM I will  be presenting When Good Numbers Go Bad at Better Software 2007 in Las Vegas.  The conference and workshops run from Monday June 18 though Thursday June 21 at the Venetian in Las Vegas.  Information is available at http://www.sqe.com/bettersoftwareconf/  If you are attending let me know.

Finally remember that Will McKnight will be speaking at SEPG this year March 26 through 29 in Austin.  Information is available  at www.sei.cmu.edu/sepg/2007/

 Comments, Rants and Raves?
Your comments, questions and rants are appreciated and will help to facilitate a dialog and build the community.  Let me know the topics you would like have covered and people you would like interviewed. Get involved! Contact SPAMCast at SPAMcastinfo@gmail.com