Show Forty Nine concludes a two part interview with Robin Goldsmith on requirements.    If you have not already done so, please go back to show 47 to listen to the first half of the interview.  Requirements are one of those foundational components that can make or break a project as it gets started.  I believe that Robin's ideas and insights are thought provoking and that you will find them useful.  

Robin is the president of Go Pro Management.  Go Pro Management, Inc. is a consultancy that works directly with and trains professionals in business engineering, requirements analysis, software acquisition, project management, quality and testing.  Mr Goldsmith was previously a developer, systems programmer/DBA/QA, and project leader with the City of Cleveland, leading financial institutions, and a "Big 4” consulting firm.  He holds degrees from Kenyon College, A.B.; Pennsylvania State University, M.S. in Psychology; Suffolk University, J.D.; Boston University, LL.M. in Tax Law.

Robin is the author of the Artech House book, Discovering REAL Business Requirements for Software Project Success, and numerous articles in prominent periodicals, and frequent featured speaker at leading professional conferences.

Contact information:
Web Site: http://www.gopromanagement.com
Email:  RobinGoldsmith@cs.com
Phone: (781) 444-5753

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The essay is titled “A Game Plan For 2009”.  The essay looks to 2009 or any moment where a line can be drawn as time to celebrate change and decide to enrich the world around you (as well re-invigorating your own brand).

There are a number of ways to share your thoughts with SPaMCAST:
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Next Software Process and Measurement Cast:
The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature an David Andersen discussing organizational culture and embracing agile, kanban and kaizen requirements and testing.  This interview covered a lot of ground and is very germane to the world we find ourselves in today.  Very very powerful, do not miss it. 

Show Forty Eight concludes a two part interview with Ellen Gottesdiener on agile requirements, facilitation and other topics. Go back to Cast 46 if you have not listened to Part One.  

Principal Consultant of EBG Consulting, Ellen Gottesdiener helps business and technical teams get product requirements right so their projects start smart and deliver the right product at the right time. An agile coach and trainer with a passion about agile requirements, she works with large, complex products and helps teams elicit just enough requirements to achieve iteration and product goals. Ellen is the author of Requirements by Collaboration: Workshops for Defining Needs and The Software Requirements Memory Jogger. Ellen writes articles, speaks, advises at industry conferences, and provides training seminars and mentoring to both traditional and agile clients. Contact her at www.ebgconsulting.com

Contact information:
Web Site: http://www.ebgconsulting.com/
Email:  ellen@ebgconsulting.com

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We have a guest essay from Pat Ferdinani in this cast titled "Do You Write?”  The essay challenges you to express your ideas and to get involved.  Covey might say act or be acted upon in words,  grow and improve your life which will grow and improve others around you.

There are a number of ways to share your thoughts with SPaMCAST:
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Next Software Process and Measurement Cast:
The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature the second part of my two part interview with Robin Goldsmith on requirements and testing.  Requirements have been a vexing problem for Information Technology since dirt was young.  Can you afford to miss Robin"s exposition on REAL requirements?

Show Forty Seven begins another two part interview this one with Robin Goldsmith on REAL requirements.  Requirements have been a vexing problem for Information Technology since dirt was young.  Robin presents a structure for addressing the issue.  Part two will be included in SPaMCAST 49.    

Robin is the president of Go Pro Management.  Go Pro Management, Inc. is a consultancy that works directly with and trains professionals in business engineering, requirements analysis, software acquisition, project management, quality and testing.  Mr Goldsmith was previously a developer, systems programmer/DBA/QA, and project leader with the City of Cleveland, leading financial institutions, and a "Big 4” consulting firm.  He holds degrees from Kenyon College, A.B.; Pennsylvania State University, M.S. in Psychology; Suffolk University, J.D.; Boston University, LL.M. in Tax Law.

Robin is the author of the Artech House book, Discovering REAL Business Requirements for Software Project Success, and numerous articles in prominent periodicals, and frequent featured speaker at leading professional conferences.

Contact information:
Web Site: http://www.gopromanagement.com
Email:  RobinGoldsmith@cs.com
Phone: (781) 444-5753

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The essay is titled “Who"s Career Is It Anyway?”  The essay challenges you to think of yourself as your own brand and to take control of maintaining your brand and career.

There are a number of ways to share your thoughts with SPaMCAST:
•    Email SPaMCAST at spamcastinfo@gmail.com
•    Voice messages can be left at 1-206-888-6111
•    Twitter - www.twitter.com/tcagley
•    BLOG – www.tcagley.wordpress.com
•    FACEBOOK!!!! Software Process and Measurement
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Next Software Process and Measurement Cast:
The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature Part Two of the interview with Ellen Gottesdiener on agile requirements, facilitation and other topics! Part One in SPaMCAST 46 was great, filled with new ideas on requirements and I think 48 will even be more important.

Show Forty Six begins another two part interview with Ellen Gottesdiener on agile requirements, facilitation and other topics.  Ellen is the principle consultant and founder of EBG Consulting, an author, a public speaker and all around pundit.  Part two will be included in SPaMCAST 48.    

Ellen is the Principal Consultant of EBG Consulting, Ellen and EBG help business and technical teams get product requirements right so their projects start smart and deliver the right product at the right time. She is an agile coach and trainer with a passion about agile requirements, she works with large, complex products and helps teams elicit just enough requirements to achieve iteration and product goals. Ellen is the author of Requirements by Collaboration: Workshops for Defining Needs and The Software Requirements Memory Jogger. Ellen writes articles, speaks, advises at industry conferences, and provides training seminars and mentoring to both traditional and agile clients.

Contact information:
Web Site: http://www.ebgconsulting.com/
Email:  ellen@ebgconsulting.com


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The essay is titled "Does the End Justify the Means.”  The essay wrestles with thoughts on whether you should use any means possible to promote our ideas or process improvements.  If you do not want of listen, my opinion is that the journey is important.

There are a number of ways to share your thoughts with SPaMCAST:
•    Email SPaMCAST at spamcastinfo@gmail.com
•    Voice messages can be left at 1-206-888-6111
•    Twitter - www.twitter.com/tcagley
•    BLOG - www.tcagley.wordpress.com
•    FACEBOOK!!!! Software Process and Measurement
     http://tinyurl.com/62z5el

Next Software Process and Measurement Cast:
The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature an interview with Robin Goldsmith on requirements and testing.  Robin"s interview is another two parter!    Requirements have been a vexing problem for Information Technology since dirt was young.  Can you afford to miss Robin's exposition on REAL requirements?

The interview in the Software Process and Measurement Cast 45 features part two of the interview with Mike Cohn.  Mike is the man when it come to Story Points and agile estimation.    

Mike Cohn is the founder of Mountain Goat Software, a process and project management consultancy and training firm. He is the author of Agile Estimating and Planning and User Stories Applied for Agile Software Development, as well as books on Java and C++ programming. With more than 20 years of experience, Mike has previously been a technology executive in companies of various sizes, from startup to Fortune 40. A frequent magazine contributor and conference speaker, Mike is a founding member of the Scrum Alliance and the Agile Alliance. He can be reached at mike@mountaingoatsoftware.com.

Contact information:
Web Site: http://www.mountaingoatsoftware.com/
Email:  mike@mountaingoatsoftware.com

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We have a guest essay on SPaMCAST 45.  The essay is an open letter from Gary Cone to Senators Obama and McCain on process improvement.  Guest essay reflects the opinions of Gary Cone and may or may not reflect the opinion of SPaMCAST or its editor.  Please feel free to respond to Gary at Gary.Cone@gpsqtc.com  or (586)412-9609.  In my opinion process improvement is good politics regardless of political affiliation or lack thereof.

There are a number of ways to share your thoughts with SPaMCAST:
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•    Voice messages can be left at 1-206-888-6111
•    Twitter – www.twitter.com/tcagley
•    BLOG – www.tcagley.wordpress.com
•    FACEBOOK!!!! Software Process and Measurement
    http://tinyurl.com/62z5el


Next Software Process and Measurement Cast:
The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature an interview with Ellen Gottesdiener.  Can you say agile requirements?

Manfred Bundschuh is an internationally recognized expert on software measurement, estimating and international standards, with more than 40 years IT experience, as an IT controller, consultant, and project manager. In addition, he has been teaching software engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne, Germany, for more than 25 years. For the last 5 years he has been president of the DASMA e.V., the metrics organization of German speaking countries.

Book information:
Springer (Publisher) has full info about the book incl. Table of contents and free chapter 2 as well as reviews by Peter Hill and Capers Jones:
Available at www.springer.com/978-3-540-68187-8
Contact information:
Email:  manfred.bundschuh@netcologne.de

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The essay for this cast is titled "The Fine Line” in which I ask you fine line between overhead to meet real information needs and overhead that saps efficiency

There are a number of ways to share your thoughts with SPaMCAST:

    * Email SPaMCAST at spamcastinfo@gmail.com     
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Next Software Process and Measurement Cast:
The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature part two of my interview with Mike Cohn on agile estimation.

The interview in the Software Process and Measurement Cast 43 features the first part of a two part interview the Mike Cohn. Mike is the man when it comes to Story Points and agile estimation. Part two will be included in SPaMCAST 45.    

Mike Cohn is the founder of Mountain Goat Software, a process and project management consultancy and training firm. He is the author of Agile Estimating and Planning and User Stories Applied for Agile Software Development, as well as books on Java and C++ programming. With more than 20 years of experience, Mike has previously been a technology executive in companies of various sizes, from startup to Fortune 40. A frequent magazine contributor and conference speaker, Mike is a founding member of the Scrum Alliance and the Agile Alliance. He can be reached at mike@mountaingoatsoftware.com.

Contact information:
Web Site: http://www.mountaingoatsoftware.com/
Email:  mike@mountaingoatsoftware.com


Check out SPaMCAST’s Facebook page and get involved!!!!
http://tinyurl.com/62z5el

The essay is titled “Who’s Career Is It Anyway?”  The essay challenges you to think of yourself as your own brand and to take control of maintaining your brand and career.

There are a number of ways to share your thoughts with SPaMCAST:
•    Email SPaMCAST at spamcastinfo@gmail.com
•    Voice messages can be left at 1-206-888-6111
•    Twitter – www.twitter.com/tcagley
•    BLOG – www.tcagley.wordpress.com
•    FACEBOOK!!!! Software Process and Measurement
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The essay for the software process and measurement cast 43 is titled “Compound the Interest in Process Improvement”. I am back on the soapbox touting the relationship between successful process improvement and marketing.

Future Events and the next Cast. . .

I will be speaking at the Northeast Quality Council 57th Conference. The conference is scheduled for October 14 – 15 , 2008 in Marlborough, Massachusetts at Best Western Royal Plaza. The presentation is titled “One Size Fits . . . Someone Other Than Me”. Information can be found at http://www.neqc.org/conference.

Next Software Process and Measurement Cast:
The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature an interview with Manfred Bundschuh. Manfred and Carol Dekkers have just published their book “The IT Measurement Compendium”. One of the topics we explored was the link between sociology and measurement. If you measure don’t be caught without your ruler for this interview.

Show Forty Two features an interview with Dr. Magdy Hanna.  Dr Hanna leads both the "International Institute for Software Testing” and “International Institute for Software Process”.  We discussed the new Certified Software Process Improvement Professional certification and certification in general. .  

Dr. Hanna is a recognized educator, speaker and consultant in several areas of software engineering. His distinguished seminars on various topics have been highly rated by software professionals. Dr. Hanna's experience with software goes back to the mid 1970's when he worked as a developer at the NCR center in Cairo , Egypt . Over the last thirty years, Dr. Hanna has worked in all aspects of software projects and processes in all capacities.

Dr. Hanna is the founder, CEO and Chairman of the International Institute for Software Testing, ( www.iist.org ) the leading educational and professional development organization that provides education-based certifications to software test and quality professionals around the world.

Dr. Hanna is the founder and Chairperson of the International Conference on Practical Software Quality and Testing, ( www.PSQTconference.com ) and founder and Chairperson of the International Conference on Software Process Improvement, ( www.icspi.com ).

Contact information:
Web Site:  http://www.icspi.com/
Email:  mhanna@iist.org


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The essay for the software process and measurement cast 42 is a mini metacast where I answer the question just who the do I think I am and why am I doing this at all.   I also have a few announcements about my podcasting future (and it has nothing to do with fading)..

There are a number of ways to share your thoughts with SPaMCAST:

    * Email SPaMCAST at spamcastinfo@gmail.com
    * Voice messages can be left at 1-206-888-6111
    * Twitter - www.twitter.com/tcagley
    * BLOG – www.tcagley.wordpress.com
    * FACEBOOK!!!! Software Process and Measurement
      http://tinyurl.com/62z5el

Future Events and the next Cast. . .

I am speaking at Quest Toronto 2008 Conference, September 22- 26, 2008, at the Hilton Hotel in Toronto, Canada.  I will be presenting “Good Numbers Go Bad” on Wed Sept 24th from 1:30 - 2:30 pm and also joining in as a subject matter expert in the end of day solutions workshop.  Information can be found at http://www.qaiquest.org/toronto/

Finally I will be speaking at the Northeast Quality Council 57th Conference.  The conference is scheduled for October 14 – 15 , 2008 in Marlborough, Massachusetts at Best Western Royal Plaza.   The presentation is titled “One Size Fits . . .Someone Other Than Me”.  Information can be found at http://www.neqc.org/conference.


Next Software Process and Measurement Cast:
The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature an interview with Mike Cohn. 

Show Forty One features an interview with Ken Schwaber.  We discussed SCRUM and organizational change.  OK, maybe discussion is a weak term, I asked questions and gathered wisdom from the SCRUM master.  If you are interested in SCRUM specifically and agile in general this is a must listen important interview. 

Ken Schwaber co-developed the Scrum process with Jeff Sutherland in the early 1990s to help organizations struggling with complex development projects. One of the signatories to the Agile Manifesto in 2001, he subsequently founded the AgileAlliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation of Agile software. He then founded the ScrumAlliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding the understanding of Scrum.

A 30-year veteran of the software development industry (from bottle washer to boss), he has written three books about Scrum: Agile Software Development with Scrum, Agile Project Management with Scrum, and The Enterprise and Scrum.

Contact information:
Web Site:  http://www.controlchaos.com/
Email:  ken.schwaber@verizon.net

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The essay for this cast is titled, “Is Project Management Changing?”  The essay discusses how texting and instant messaging are reshaping the project environment.  The reshaping is affecting the balance between detailed planning and instant coordination.

There are a number of ways to share your thoughts with SPaMCAST:

There are a number of ways to share your thoughts with SPaMCAST:
•    Email SPaMCAST at spamcastinfo@gmail.com
•    Voice messages can be left at 1-206-888-6111
•    Twitter – www.twitter.com/tcagley
•    BLOG – www.tcagley.wordpress.com
•    FACEBOOK!!!! Software Process and Measurement
http://tinyurl.com/62z5el

Future Events and the next Cast. . .
I will be speaking at IFPUG’s 3rd Annual ISMA Conference and Fall Workshops Sunday, September 14 – Friday, September 19, 2008 at the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel information at www.ifpug.org.  The presentation is call “Counting Facebook” and will be on Friday September 19, 2008 at 10:25 AM - 11:25 AM.

I am speaking at Quest Toronto 2008 Conference, September 22- 26, 2008, at the Hilton Hotel in Toronto, Canada.  I will be presenting “Good Numbers Go Bad” on Wed Sept 24th from 1:30 - 2:30 pm and also joining in as a subject matter expert in the end of day solutions workshop.  Information can be found at http://www.qaiquest.org/toronto/


Finally I will be speaking at the Northeast Quality Council 57th Conference.  The conference is scheduled for October 14 – 15 , 2008 in Marlborough, Massachusetts at Best Western Royal Plaza.   The presentation is titled “One Size Fits . . .Someone Other Than Me”.  Information can be found at http://www.neqc.org/conference.


Next Software Process and Measurement Cast:
The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature an interview with Dr. Magdy Hanna.  We discussed the International Software Process Improvement Certification the new certification for SPI personnel specifically and certifications in general.  If you are in the SPI field or hire people in the SPI field this one is a must.

Show Forty features an interview with Barbara Blake of Longview Associates.  Barbara and I discussed executive coaching, improvement and change its myriad forms.  If you are interested in your career or organizational change this is an important interview.   

Barbara Blake is founder of Longview Associates, LLC, an executive coaching and leadership development consulting practice. As a keen observer of organizational performance, Barbara is convinced that the key component to successful operations and objectives are the people in an organization.

Barbara works with executives and entrepreneurs to take them to the next level of performance and interpersonal relations. They see results both at work and in their personal lives; they are energized, transformed and they achieve

Barbara has held management positions in a consulting firm, a publishing company, and several financial services institutions.  She has also been involved in the development of emerging leaders by managing training programs and teaching at the MBA level.

She is a certified executive coach through the Penn State Executive Program, and a member of the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches. 

Contact information:
Web Site:  http://www.longview-assoc.com/
Email:  barbara@longview-assoc.com

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The essay for this cast is titled, “Vitamins, Aspirin and Viagra”.  The essay ruminates on why some changes are easier to sell and catch hold within organizations faster. We will conclude with information on a few upcoming conferences, comments from listeners and notes on upcoming casts. 

There are a number of ways to share your thoughts with SPaMCAST:

• Email SPaMCAST at spamcastinfo@gmail.com
• Voice messages can be left at 1-206-888-6111
• Twitter – www.twitter.com/tcagley
• BLOG – www.tcagley.wordpress.com
• FACEBOOK!!!! Software Process and Measurement
  http://tinyurl.com/62z5el

Future Events and the next Cast. . .

I will be speaking at IFPUG’s 3rd Annual ISMA Conference and Fall Workshops Sunday, September 14 – Friday, September 19, 2008 at the Westin Arlington Gateway Hotel information at www.ifpug.org.  The presentation is call “Counting Facebook” and will be on Friday September 19, 2008 at 10:25 AM - 11:25 AM.

I am speaking at Quest Toronto 2008 Conference, September 22- 26, 2008, at the Hilton Hotel in Toronto, Canada.  I will be presenting “Good Numbers Go Bad” on Wed Sept 24th from 1:30 - 2:30 pm and also joining in as a subject matter expert in the end of day solutions workshop.  Information can be found at http://www.qaiquest.org/toronto/

Finally I will be speaking at the Northeast Quality Council 57th Conference.  The conference is scheduled for October 14 – 15 , 2008 in Marlborough, Massachusetts at Best Western Royal Plaza.   The presentation is titled “One Size Fits . . .Someone Other Than Me”.  Information can be found at http://www.neqc.org/conference.

Next Software Process and Measurement Cast:

The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature an interview with Ken Schwaber, Mr SCRUM.  If you use SCRUM or are interested in Agile this is a must listen.