Sun, 6 May 2012
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 185! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 184 my essay titled the "Narcissism of Small Differences." This essay is based on comments made by Corey Haines in the SPaMCAST 182. The essay begins: Every interview I do for the Software Process and Measurement Cast teaches me something about our industry and the people that populate it. Occasionally a topic is brought up that sets me off on a new path of exploration and that changes how I interact with the world around me. The interview with Corey Haines in the SPaMCAST 182 was one such interview, during the cast, Corey referred to the concept of the "narcissism of small differences" as a barrier to delivering value. His point was dead-on but after I did some research I discovered that like many other concepts this one is a bit more complicated. Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: "This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, neither for you or your team." Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Next The Software Process and Measurement Cast 186 will feature my interview Jo Ann Sweeney. We discussed using social media as a tool to support communications inside and outside projects. It was great to have Jo Ann back on the Cast. Direct download: SPaMCAST_185_-_Narcissism_of_Small_Differences_Listener_Comments.mp3 Category:Agile -- posted at: 9:00 PM |
Sun, 22 April 2012
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 183! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 183 features my essay titled, Agile Release Planning Is A Necessity The essay begins . . . Release planning has even said to be not needed and a waste of time by those who feel that release planning is a retreat from agile. Alternately, it has been called both a black art and a communication vehicle by those who recognize it as a need. Simply put release planning is contentious. Why the consternation over something so simple? Part of the angst is a relic of the past and part is a flaw in basic human nature. The first part is a memory of over planning we all have seen in some project and program methods and the second flaw is one of basic human nature in that when something is said it tends to be remembered (a delivery date for example). Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: "This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, neither for you or your team." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Next The Software Process and Measurement Cast 183 features my interview with Steve Boronski. We discussed Prince 2 which is the standard for project management in the UK and Europe! Direct download: SPaMCAST_183_-_Agile_Release_Planning_Is_A_Necessity.mp3 Category:Agile -- posted at: 9:00 PM |
Sun, 1 April 2012
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 180! The SPaMCAST 180 features my interview with Johanna Rothman. We discussed transparency and trust. Transparency and trust are generally discussed as core tenants of agile HOWEVER I would suggest they are core tenants for any type of team or manager. We also have a message from Peter Taylor, The Lazy Project Manager, on his new project . . . he needs our help. You might be wondering where the SPaMCAST 179 went. Lets just say SPaMCAST 179 is now offically the the lost episode and we'll just see when it appears. Johanna Rothman works with managers and leaders to identify problems and seize opportunities around how they manage their product development. She focuses on removing management and technical staff impediments. Johanna was the Agile 2009 conference chair. She is the current AgileJournal.com technical editor. Johanna is the author of these books: - Manage Your Project Portfolio: Increase Your Capacity and Finish More Projects - The 2008 Jolt Productivity award-winning Manage It! Your Guide to Modern, Pragmatic Project Management - Behind Closed Doors: Secrets of Great Management She is working on books about using agile practices to find a new job, and agile program management. And, she’s working on an electronic-only revision of the hiring book, due “soon.” She writes columns for Stickyminds.com and on “extreme project management” for Gantthead.com, and writes two blogs on her web site, jrothman.com, as well as a blog on createadaptablelife.com Recommendation! Buy Johanna's books and support the Software Process and Measurement Cast, just follow the link! Contact Data:| Support the Software Process and Measurement Cast by buying any of the books discussed on the SPaMCAST's through our Amazon Associate Account. I have a page on my blog with links to all of the books that have been discussed on the podcast. The SPaMCAST gets a tiny commission on the sale that will be used to defray hosting costs and upgrading equipment. SPaMCAST Bookshelf Interested in becoming a radio star?If you are interested in reviewing tools or books? Drop me a note at spamcastinfo@gmail.com Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: "This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, neither for you or your team." Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Next: The Software Process and Measurement Cast 181 will feature my essay currently titled, IT: No Factory Here. The essay wrestles why the metaphor of a factory is used to describe the development and maintenance of software. Direct download: SPaMCAST_180_-_Johanna_Rothman_Transparency_and_Trust.mp3 Category:Agile -- posted at: 9:00 PM |
Mon, 12 March 2012
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 177! The SPaMCAST 177 features my essay titled The Beginner's Mind. The essay begins: Why is it easier for some organizations to innovate or to change more than others? Why do some organizations become less flexible after a new idea is successfully implemented? I believe that the concept of the beginner’s mind holds a substantial clue about why some people and organizations either embrace or resist change. Interested in becoming a radio star? If you are interested in reviewing tools or books? Drop me a note at spamcastinfo@gmail.com Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: "This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, neither for you or your team." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Next: The Software Process and Measurement Cast 178 will feature my interview with Al Pittampalli. We discussed a modern meeting standard and his book, Read This Before Our Next Meeting. This is an important interview for EVERYONE! |
Mon, 13 February 2012
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 173! The SPaMCAST 173 features an essay titled Agile In A Waterfall Business. The essay begins: I am more than occasionally asked how agile techniques can work in environment where the business is waterfall. The underlying assumption of the question is that it can't. This is followed by a description of the constraints that the person asking the question uses to define an environment where agile does not make sense Interested in becoming a radio star? Shameless Ad for my book! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email: spamcastinfo@gmail.com Next! Direct download: SPaMCAST_173_-_Agile_In_A_Waterfall_Business.mp3 Category:Agile -- posted at: 1:36 AM |
Sun, 20 November 2011
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 161! The SPaMCAST 161 provides an overview of a pallet of metrics tailored to agile projects. The essay begins: When talking about metrics to measure agile processes one should begin by defining “why” you want to measure followed immediately by “what” we will do with the data when we know it. As I have noted before there are only two reasons to measure. The first is to generate specific behaviors and secondly to predict the future. Organizational goals provide the rational for what to measure and the type of measure determines whether it drives behavior or provides direction. Interested in the PMO Leader of the Year award? Check out www.leadingsuccessfulpmos.com The PMO Leader of the Year Award will be presented to the PMO Leader, nominated by their PMO team, who shows the most excellent leadership and understanding of what a PMO can deliver to a business. A panel of independent judges will review all submissions to consider how each nominee has led their PMO over at least the last 12 months and how they plan to grow the PMO under their stewardship in the coming months. Interested in becoming a radio star? Are you interested in writing and reading reviewing tools or books? Drop me a note at spamcastinfo@gmail.com if you have an opinion! Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: "This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, neither for you or your team." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Next! SPaMCAST 162 features my interview with Rafal Los on security and metrics desinged for security practices! Direct download: SPaMCAST_161_-_Metrics_Minute_-_Agile_Metrics_Overview.mp3 Category:Agile -- posted at: 10:00 PM |
Sun, 13 November 2011
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 160! The SPaMCAST 160 features my interview Dean Leffingwell. We discussed scaling agile and his books Scaling Software Agility: Best Practices for Large Enterprises Dean Leffingwell is an entrepreneur, executive, author and consulting methodologist who provides agile transformation consulting services to large software enterprises. Recently, Mr. Leffingwell was founder and CEO of consumer marketing identity company, ProQuo, Inc.He also served as chief methodologist to Rally Software (www.rallydev.com) where he focused on the application of agile development methods to large scale software development. Formerly, Mr. Leffingwell served as Sr. Vice President to Rational Software (now IBM’s Rational Division), where his responsibilities included development and commercialization of the Rational Unified Process (RUP), ClearQuest, RequisitePro and the company’s methodology and product training courses. Mr. Leffingwell has been a student, coach and author of contemporary software development and management practices throughout his career. His most recent book, Agile Software Requirements: Lean Requirements Practices for Teams, Programs, and the Enterprise (Agile Software Development Series) Contact Data: Sponsor . . . THe SPaMCAST 160 is sponsored by LeanKit Kanban. LeanKit Kanban is a software tool for kanban that is as simple to use as physical kanban. If you put it up on a touchscreen in your team area, it practically IS physical kanban. But your boards are available from anywhere, and updated in real-time. A slew of colors, icons, and avatars take your visual signaling to the next level. And the system tracks the metrics for you, providing analytics on bottlenecks, lead time, work distribution, process efficiency, and variability - for a single board or a whole company. It's kanban for the Lean enterprise. I have been using LeanKit Kanban for a personal project my wife and I are working on. LeanKit allows us to share the Kanban board across the miles with ease! Visit our sponsor at LeanKit Kanban Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques Contact information for the Softw are Process and Measurement Cast Next! SPaMCAST 160 will discuss agile metrics! Are they the same? Are there philosophical issues you need to be aware of? Agile metrics . . . be here next week! Direct download: SPaMCAST_160_-_Dean_Leffingwell_Scaling_Agile.mp3 Category:Agile -- posted at: 10:00 PM |
Sun, 16 October 2011
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 156! The SPaMCAST 156 features my interview with Linda Rising. One word, AGILE! Another word, IMPORTANT! Linda Rising has a Ph.D. from Arizona State University. Her background includes university teaching as well as work in industry in the areas of telecommunications, avionics, and strategic weapons systems. She is an internationally known presenter on topics related to agile development, patterns, retrospectives, and the change process. She is the author of numerous articles (www.lindarising.org) and has published four books: Design Patterns in Communications, The Pattern Almanac 2000, and A Patterns Handbook. Her latest book, written with Dr. Mary Lynn Manns, is titled Fearless Change: Patterns for introducing new ideas. Interested in sponsoring the SPaMCAST? If you are interested in being a sponsor please contact me at SPaMCASTinfo@gmail.com for a rate sheet or to discuss options. Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: "This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, neither for you or your team." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email: spamcastinfo@gmail.com Next! SPaMCAST 157 will feature Part 2 on Systems, Systems Thinking and Process Improvement. The essay is focused on the big picture and you should be too!! Direct download: SPaMCAST_156_-_Linda_Rising_Agile_Patterns_for_Fearless_Change.mp3 Category:Agile -- posted at: 9:00 PM |
Sun, 3 July 2011
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 141! In the SPaMCAST 141, I ask, "Are you ready to implement agile?" It might sound like a simple question but it is imperative that you not only have an answer but a structured rational for the answer. I propose a simple quiz (part of my simple checklist series) to structure the discussion when you want to know whether you are ready or not. It should be noted that like any readiness discussion, determining whether you are ready to implement agile should be viewed as a continuum. Your journey, whether remediating issues or planning for change, shouldn’t be thought of in absolutes; approach readiness as a journey. Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: "This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, neither for you or your team." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Next! SPaMCAST 142 features my interview with Capers Jones! We discussed extending function points, his new book and how to improve quality. Capers is always thought provoking! |
Fri, 24 June 2011
I have combined the blog entries titled "Agile is from Venus and PMOs from Mars" into a single paper with some tweaks and edits for those that do not want to listen to the podcast or read the blog in serial fashion. Read it and let me your thoughts and comments then give it to a friend and let them know about the blog and podcast. |
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Software Process and Measurement Cast (Agile)
Interviews, essays, facts and tips about process improvement and measurement in the Information Technology arena!
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co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: "This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, neither for you or your team." Have you bought your copy?