Sun, 23 October 2011
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 157! The SPaMCAST 157 answers the question, "why measure?" The essay begins: 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 Next! SPaMCAST 156 will feature an interview with Peter Taylor, the author of the The Lazy Project Manager: How to be twice as productive and still leave the office early. You will learn a TON! Direct download: SPaMCAST_157_-_Why_Measure_Systems_Thinking_Prelude.mp3 Category:Measurement -- posted at: 11:38 PM |
Sun, 6 February 2011
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 120. SPaMCAST 120 features my interview with Peter Thomas, a techincal specialist in software sizing and related fields at Steria. He is also a member of the Counting Practice Committee in International Function Point User's Group. We discussed the attributes of mature metric programs. Peter is a Chartered IT Professional with experience in project management, design, implementation, test, and deployment of defence and commercial software.He is recognised as a technical specialist in software sizing, IT measurement, and estimating, in Steria, IBM, and the IT industry. Steria is an IT Services company whose revenues have exceeded 1 billion Euros each year since 2005. He has been an International Function Point User’s Group (IFPUG) Certified Function Point Specialist (CFPS) since the late 90s and a member of the IFPUG Counting Practices Committee, “owner” of International Standards Organisation (ISO) standard ISO/IEC 20926 since January 2007. His role in Steria requires him to ensure productivity measurements are performed correctly, in particular Function Point counts to minimise contract penalties. Also he advises executives responsible for delivery on methods to manage the productivity performance against other targets including off shoring and contribute to bids. His role in IBM involved business operations measurement coordination, quality assurance reviews, estimating support to bids, and Software Engineering Institute Capability Maturity Model Integrated (SEI CMMI) appraisals as well as occasional function point analysis to keep in contact with the real world of project delivery. Since 2004, he has regularly presented at technical conferences in the UK and USA and been invited to speak again as a result of the feedback. In 2006 & 2010 he presented the Ian Drummond Memorial lecture at the United Kingdom Software Metrics Association annual conference. Work Website: http://bit.ly/g7KkMd
Direct download: SPaMCAST_120_-_Peter_Thomas_Mature_Metrics_Programs.mp3 Category:Measurement -- posted at: 10:00 PM |
Sun, 16 January 2011
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 117! In this week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast we have a review of Naomi Karten's book Presentation Skills for Technical Professionals: Achieving Excellence. Remember Naomi appeared in the interview segment last week (check it out at http://bit.ly/gwkFv3). In this week’s Cast we are starting a new segment, Association News. Kevin Brennan of the International Institute of Business Analysis opens the segment with news from the IIBA (PS Kevin was interviewed on SPaMCAST 69 http://bit.ly/ieHJbh). Finally in the run up to the Software Process and Measurement Cast's 4th Anniversary I am re-mastering some of the essays from year one. I am including the re-master d essay from SPaMCAST 3 aired February 25th 2007. The essay is titled, Measurement Proliferation, Guarding the Peace or Mutually Assured Destruction? The article explores proliferation in depth (measuring the same thing many ways) and breadth (measuring everything). Strange I still see this issue pop up four years later. Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chemuturi and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing has hit the bookshelves! According to Robert C. Anderson, Director, Process Development and Quality Assurance, Computer Aid, Inc, "Mastering Software Project Management is a masterpiece of clarity, organization and depth of practical knowledge." If you a project manager or know project managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! PS -- Want me to sign a bookplate for your copy? Email me and include a picture of you with your copy of the book and I will send you a personalized, signed bookplate! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Check out my blog and show notes for upcoming conferences and webinars! Next!
Direct download: SPaMCAST_117_-_Book_Review_IIBA_News_Too_Many_Metrics.mp3 Category:Measurement -- posted at: 10:00 PM |
Sun, 7 November 2010
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 107! The Seven Deadly Sins popularized by Dante have been used as an analogy for a fallen man’s tendency to sin and as analogy for the ills or risks of many professions. The analogy fits as well for software metrics; focusing attention on the behaviors that could sap your program’s integrity, effectiveness and life span. This paper looks at a set of deadly sins from the point of view of a person or group that is creating or managing a metrics program. In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 107 we explore the effect of measurement lust. Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing has hit the bookshelves! According to one the reviews on Amazon: "There are lots of books on software project management. Why this one and who is the audience? "Mastering Software Project Management" is an attempt to provide coverage of all the major topics that must be addressed in managing a software development project." If you a project manager or know project managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Next! Direct download: SPaMCAST_107_-_Seven_Deadly_Sins_of_Measurement_Lust.mp3 Category:Measurement -- posted at: 10:00 PM |
Sun, 24 October 2010
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 105! The Seven Deadly Sins popularized by Dante have been used as an analogy for a fallen man’s tendency to sin and as analogy for the ills or risks of many professions. The analogy fits as well for software metrics; focusing attention on the behaviors that could sap your program’s integrity, effectiveness and life span. This paper looks at a set of deadly sins from the point of view of a person or group that is creating or managing a metrics program. In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 105 we explore wrath. Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing has hit the bookshelves! According to Robert C. Anderson, Director, Process Development and Quality Assurance, Computer Aid, Inc, "Mastering Software Project Management is a masterpiece of clarity, organization and depth of practical knowledge." If you a project manager or know project managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Next! Direct download: Spamcast_105_-_Seven_Deadly_Sins_of_Measurement_-_Wrath.mp3 Category:Measurement -- posted at: 9:00 PM |
Sun, 10 October 2010
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 103. SPaMCAST 103 will feature the third installment of the Seven Deadly Sins of Measurement Programs essay. Sloth plagues many measurement programs as they age. As time goes by, it is easy for practitioners to drift away from the passionate pursuit of data to transform into knowledge. Sloth in measurement programs is typically not caused by laziness. In this essay we explore the reasons for apparent sloth and how to conquer those problems. Note based on a comment by @The0retico on Twitter I have shortened the intro and will work on shortening the extro section. This week we have have comment by Royce Edwards after the essay. Ad for my book! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast
Direct download: SPaMCAST_103_-_Seven_Deadly_Sins_of_Measurement-_Sloth.mp3 Category:Measurement -- posted at: 9:00 PM |
Sun, 26 September 2010
SPaMCAST 101 features the second part of my Seven Deadly Sins of Measurement Programs essay. In this installment we focus on gluttony. I jumped over sloth as I decided it needed a rewrite (no sloth here!). Citrix GoToAssist Express is sponsoring SPaMCAST Solve technical issues faster with GoToAssist Express. Try it FREE for 30 days. 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 has hit the bookshelves! According to Robert C. Anderson, Director, Process Development and Quality Assurance, Computer Aid, Inc, "Mastering Software Project Management is a masterpiece of clarity, organization and depth of practical knowledge." If you a project manager or know project managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Conferences and Speaking Engagements in 2010 (To Date) October 7th 11:00 - 12:30 Estimation is a lightening rod for conflicts between agile and process driven methodologies. However, times are changing, and agile is maturing. Part of the process of maturing is the incorporation of best practices from other methods and frameworks. In this webinar, Tom Cagley will explain how functional metrics allow you to incorporate additional process discipline into the estimation processes typically used by agile teams. Next! Direct download: SPaMCAST_101_-_Seven_Deadly_Sins_of_Measurement_Gluttony.mp3 Category:Measurement -- posted at: 9:00 PM |
Sun, 12 September 2010
The Seven Deadly Sins popularized by Dante have been used as an analogy for a fallen man’s tendency to sin and as analogy for the ills or risks of many professions. The analogy fits as well for software metrics; focusing attention on the behaviors that could sap your program’s integrity, effectiveness and life span. This paper looks at a set of deadly sins from the point of view of a person or group that is creating or managing a metrics program.
The Seven Deadly Sins of Metrics Programs:
The impact each sin on a metrics program depends on many factors ranging from management style to organizaional culture. An example can be seen when comparing the belief that one number is more important than all other factors (always) which illustrates the sin of pride compared to the lack of motivation illustrated by sloth. These are two very different issues with two very different impacts however neither should be sneezed at if you value the long term health of a metrics program. Citrix GoToAssist Express is sponsoring SPaMCAST Solve technical issues faster with GoToAssist Express. Try it FREE for 30 days. 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 has hit the bookshelves! According to Robert C. Anderson, Director, Process Development and Quality Assurance, Computer Aid, Inc, "Mastering Software Project Management is a masterpiece of clarity, organization and depth of practical knowledge." If you a project manager or know project managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Conferences and Speaking Engagements in 2010 (To Date) ISMA Cinco in Sao Paulo September 13-15. I will be one of the featured speakers. THe title of the presentation is Function Points: Past, Present and Future. The website to get more information is http://www.ifpug.org/conferences/ I hope to see you there! Next! Direct download: SPaMCAST_99_-_Seven_Deadly_Sins_of_Metrics_Programs_Pride.mp3 Category:Measurement -- posted at: 9:00 PM |
Sat, 3 April 2010
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 82! The interview in the SPaMCAST 82 is with Cheryl Jones. We discussed Practical Software and Systems Measurement. Can you say measurement or even more loudly MEASUREMENT! PSM is an evolving force in the IT measurement field. Cheryl helps us understand why measurement is important for projects and management. Cheryl Jones is a lead software engineer in the Quality Engineering & System Assurance Sciences Group at RDECOM-ARDEC at Picatinny, New Jersey. She is responsible for measurement and analysis, risk management, estimation, and decision analysis technology development and application across a wide base of DoD, Government, and Commercial programs and organizations. Her responsibilities encompass technology development, integrated process definition, and practical technology application to support a variety of Performance and Decision Analysis requirements across numerous technical, acquisition, and management domains at multiple organizational levels. Ms. Jones is the technical lead and project manager of Practical Software and Systems Measurement. This project is an international technical initiative responsible for the development and transition of effective measurement practices into the software and systems development communities. Ms Jones is a primary author of Practical Software Measurement: Objective Information for Decision Makers. She is responsible for directing the transition of PSM and related measurement guidance into practice across a wide community of users through DoD, government, and industry. She has been instrumental in linking corporate measurement processes to validated improvements in project and organizational performance. Ms. Jones is a technical expert to the US Technical Advisory Group to International Standards Organization SC7, System and Software Engineering. Ms. Jones is the convener of Special Working Group 5, Standards Management. Ms. Jones is co-editor of ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148, Requirements Engineering. She previously was co-editor for ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2008, System Life Cycle Processes, editor of the revision to ISO/IEC 15939:2007, Software Measurement, and ISO/IEC/IEEE 16085:2006, Risk Management. Ms. Jones is also co-editor of ISO/IEC 15288, System Life Cycle Processes and ISO/IEC/IEEE 29148, Requirements Engineering. Ms. Jones holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science/Mathematics from the University of Georgia and an MBA in Management Information Systems from the University of Rhode Island. Contact information: When is otimism a good thing and when is it a bad thing? Perhaps the right answer is optimistic realisim. Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email: spamcastinfo@gmail.com The SPaMCAST's production schedule is on the Software Process and Measurement Facebook page. Yell at me if you have ideas for future interveiws or essays. Your thoughts, comments, suggestions and ideas are welcome. Conferences and Speaking Engagements in 2010 (To Date) Quest Conference in Dallas April 21 - 23. I will be talking on "Process Improvement in a Multi-Model World". The conference includes two days of workshops. The website to get more information is http://www.qaiquest.org/dallas/index.html Next! The interview in the SPaMCAST 83 is with Gary Gack. We discussed his new book, “Managing the Black Hole”. The book explores customer engagement, metrics, planning and monitoring projects. Direct download: SPaMCAST_82_-_Cheryl_Jones_PSM_Optimism.mp3 Category:Measurement -- posted at: 9:00 PM |
Mon, 1 June 2009
Show 60 is the interview I had with Medha Umarji discussing her research on Metrics Acceptance Model. If you are involved with software measurement programs this is important stuff! I know I have already begun using some of the concepts. I am doing this as one large interview rather than in two parts. I would like your input on this format.Medha Umarji is currently a PhD candidate at the Department of Information Systems at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her focus is on the human aspects of software engineering, and she has had the opportunity to observe, survey and interview developers as they searched for source code, or communicated with their remote teams, or voiced their opinions about organizational initiatives. As she makes plans to graduate this summer, she is motivated by the idea of making a difference in the life of people in the trenches. During the course of her career she has worked at prestigious firms like Microsoft Research, ABB Corporate Research, and SuccessFactors Inc. Her other research interests are in studying how distributed organizations seek information and share knowledge, how domain-specific communities of practice interact and learn, and how developers leverage documentation and human sources of information in their programming tasks. Medha has published her research at several highly reputed conferences such as the International Symposium on Empirical Software Engineering and Measurement, the Software Engineering Process Group Conference, and the International Conference on Open Source Software and Systems. Contact Information Email: umarji@gmail.com Website: http://metricsacceptance.net The essay is titled “Involvement versus Focus”. I discussed the fact focus is important but not sufficient to affect change in todays IT environment. Join the SPaMCAST’s community by joining the SPaMCAST Facebook page and get involved!!!! http://tinyurl.com/62z5el 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 complete the interview I had with Phil Stubbington on how to help fix troubled projects. If you are project manager this one ought to be mandatory! Direct download: SPaMCAST_60_-_Mehda_Umarji_Metrics_Acceptance_Model_Involvement.mp3 Category:Measurement -- posted at: 1:55 PM |
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Software Process and Measurement Cast (Measurement)
Interviews, essays, facts and tips about process improvement and measurement in the Information Technology arena!
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