Software Process And Measurement Cast

The Software Process and Measurement 356 features our interview with Steve Turner.  Steve and I talked time management and email inbox tyranny! If you let your inbox and interruptions manage your day you will deliver less value than you should and feel far less in control than you could!  Steve’s Bio: With a background in technology and nearly 30 years of business expertise, Steve has spent the last eight years sharing technology and time management tools, techniques and tips with thousands of professionals across the country.  His speaking, training and coaching has helped many organizations increase the productivity of their employees. Steve has significant experience working with independent sales and marketing agencies. His proven ability to leverage technology (including desktops, laptops and mobile devices) is of great value to anyone in need of greater sales and/or productivity results. TurnerTime℠ is time management tools, techniques and tips to effectively manage e-mails, tasks and projects.   Contac

The week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast features three columns.  The first is our essay on Agile Success Factors.  We recently surveyed a group of people actively involved in the software development field.  In the essay we discuss the top ten (factors involved in successfully using Agile. This cast also includes a new entry in Jeremy Berriault’s QA Corner.  Jeremy discussed the sticky topics of who owns QA (testing) and who owns quality. Jeremy’s take on ownership of testing and quality is thought provoking.  After listening we would like your take on the topic. In the third column, Kim Pries brings his popular Software Sensei column to bear on the prototypes and frameworks in software development. Kim explores the many of the different types of models that exist and discusses when and where they can be used. Call to Action! It is time to start building our fall and winter interview schedule.  Who would you like us to interview or is there a topic you want to hear discussed?  Please send us an email

The week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast features our interview with Allan Kelly.  We talked #NoProjects and having a focus of delivering a consistent flow of value.  The classic project framework causes us to focus on being on-time, on-budget and on-scope, but not on-value. If we don’t focus on delivering the maximum value we are doing both our customers and ourselves a great disservice.  Allan Kelly advises teams from many different companies and domains on adopting and deepening Agile practices and development in general. He specializes in working with software product companies and aligning products and processes with company strategy. When he is not with clients he writes far too much.  He holds BSc and MBA degrees, is the author of three books: "Xanpan - team centric Agile Software Development" (https://leanpub.com/xanpan), "Business Patterns for Software Developers" and “Changing Software Development: Learning to be Agile”. In addition he is the originator of Retrospective Dialogue Sheets (http

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast features three columns.  The first is our essay on learning styles.  Learning styles are useful to consider when you are trying to change the world or just and an organization.  While opposites might attract in poetry and sitcoms, however rarely do opposite learning styles work together well in teams without empathy and a dash of coaching. Therefore, the coach and teams need to have an inventory of learning styles on the team. Models and active evaluation against a model are tools to generate knowledge about teams so they can tune how they work to maximize effectiveness. Our second column features Gene Hughson bringing the ideas from his wonderful Form Follows Function Blog.  Gene talks about the topic of microservices. Gene challenges the idea that microservices are a silver bullet. We anchor this week’s SPaMCAST with Steve Tendon’s column discussing the TameFlow methodology and his great new book, Hyper-Productive Knowledge Work Performance.   One of the top

Software Process and Measurement Cast 352 features our interview with Gil Broza.  We discussed Gil’s new book The Agile Mind-Set. Do you know what the Agile Mind-Set is or how to get one?  Gil’s new book explains the concept of the Agile Mind-Set and how you can find it in order to deliver more value! Gil Broza helps organizations, teams and individuals implement high-performance Agile principles and practices that work for them. His coaching and training clients – over 1,300 professionals in 40 companies – have delighted their customers, shipped working software on time, increased their productivity and decimated their software defects. Beyond teaching, Gil helps people overcome limiting habits, fears of change, blind spots and outdated beliefs, and reach higher levels of performance, confidence and accomplishment. Gil is the author of The Agile Mind-Set and The Human Side of Agile: How to Help Your Team Deliver. Gil has a M.Sc. in Computational Linguistics and a B.Sc. in Computer Science and Mathematics fro

Software Process and Measurement Cast 351 includes three columns.  The first is our essay on distributed Agile. What is distributed Agile? The phrase "distributed Agile" is often used indiscriminately; therefore definitions can cover a wide range of situations and evoke a wide range of emotions. A precise definition encompasses three concepts. The first is a team, project or program that is using Agile techniques. The second is geographic distribution describing where team members are located. The location of team members in a distributed team can range from being spread across a single building to members sprinkled across continents. Finally, the third is organizational distribution, meaning that teams can be comprised of members from different companies. No matter the definition, distributed Agile is different. The Software Sensei, Kim Pries dives into the Illusion of Control.  Kim reminds us to drop the egos before you start working and choose your weapons unemotionally! Jeremy Berriault brings a new insta

Software Process and Measurement Cast 350 features our interview with Arlene Minkiewicz. Arlene and I talked technical debt.  Our discussion included the definition of technical debt, a set of philosophies for technical debt and perhaps a few solutions. Regardless of philosophy or approach, a little technical debt goes a long way! Arlene F. Minkiewicz is the Chief Scientist at PRICE Systems, LLC with over 30 years of experience at PRICE building cost models.  She leads the cost research activity for TruePlanning, the suite of cost estimating products that PRICE provides.  She is a software measurement expert dedicated to finding creative solutions focused on helping make software development professionals successful.  She is widely published and speaks frequently on software related topics.  She has a BS in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University and an MS in Computer Science from Drexel University. Email: Arlene.Minkiewicz@PRICESystems.comTwiitter: @arleneminkWebsite:  www.pricesystems.com Call to Acti

To paraphrase Ed Sullivan, “We have a big, big show this week,” so we will keep the up front chit chat to a minimum.  First up is our essay on Agile Testing. Even if you are not a tester, understanding how testing flows in Agile projects is important to maximize value. Second, we have a new installment from Jeremy Berriault’s QA Corner.  In this installment Jeremy talks about test cases.  More is not always the right answer. Anchoring the Cast is Steve Tendon’s column discussing the TameFlow methodology and his great new book, Hyper-Productive Knowledge Work Performance. Call to Action! I have a challenge for the Software Process and Measurement Cast listeners for the next few weeks. I would like you to find one person that you think would like the podcast and introduce them to the cast. This might mean sending them the URL or teaching them how to download podcasts. If you like the podcast and think it is valuable they will be thankful to you for introducing them to the Software Process and Measurement Cast.

The Software Process and Measurement Cast features our interview with Woody Zuill.  We talked about the concept and controversy swirling around #NoEstimates. Even if the concept is a bridge too far for you, the conversation is important because we talked about why thinking and questioning is a critical survival technique. As Woody points out, it is important to peer past the “thou musts” to gain greater understanding of what you should be doing! Woody Zuill has been programming computers for 30+ years. Over the last 15+ years he has worked as an Agile Coach, Trainer, and Extreme Programmer and now works with Industrial Logic as a Trainer/Coach/Consultant for Agile and Lean software development. He believes code must be simple, clean, and maintainable to realize the Agile promise of Responding to Change.  Contact InformationMob Programming: http://mobprogramming.org/Blog: http://zuill.us/WoodyZuill/Twitter: https://twitter.com/woodyzuill Call to action! I have a challenge for the Software Process and Measureme

The Software Process and Measurement Cast includes three columns.  The first is our essay on managing Agile projects and teams. I often say project management is dead. That does not mean that the pressures that drive the need to manage work have gone away. In the end the “what” of project management is important because control, discipline and coordination are needed tools to deliver value; the journey toward Agile is the reframing of the “how” of project management. This week Gene Hughson returns with an entry from his Form Follows Function column.  Gene tackles the topic of whether the application of Conway’s Law makes microservices more of an organizational approach than an architecture.   After listening, check out Gene’s Form Follows Function blog! The third column in this SPaMCAST magazine is from the Software Sensei, Kim Pries.  Kim tackles hardcore testing.  Kim discusses the implications and uses of this aggressive type of testing in hardware, software and wetware. A great line up! Call to action! Re

The Software Process and Measurement Cast features our interview with Jon M Quigley.  We discussed configuration management and his new book Configuration Management: Theory, Practice, and Application. Jon co-authored the book with Kim Robertson. Configuration management, the management and control of project deliverable, is one of the most critical practices anyone building a product, writing a piece of code or working on a project with more than one person involved must learn or face the consequences! Jon’s Bio: Jon M. Quigley PMP CTFL is a principal and founding member of Value Transformation, a product development training and cost improvement organization established in 2009, as well as being Electrical / Electronic Process Manager at Volvo Trucks North America.  Jon has an Engineering Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and two Master Degrees from City University of Seattle.  Jon has nearly twenty five years of product development experience, ranging from embedded hardware and

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 345 features our essay on Cognitive Biases and two new columns. The essay on cognitive bias provides important tools for anyone that works on a team or interfaces with other people! A sample for the podcast: “The discussion of cognitive biases is not a theoretical exercise. Even a relatively simple process such as sprint planning in Scrum is influenced by the cognitive biases of the participants. Even the planning process itself is built to use cognitive biases like the anchor bias to help the team come to consensus efficiently. How all the members of the team perceive their environment and the work they commit to delivering will influence the probability of success, therefore, cognitive biases need to be understood and managed.” The first of the new columns is Jeremy Berriault’s QA Corner.  Jeremy’s first QA Corner discusses root cause analysis and some errors that people make when doing root cause analysis. Jeremy, is a leader in the world of quality assurance an

Software Process and Measurement Cast 344 features our conversation with Susan Parente.  We talked about Agile risk management. Risk is not always discussed in polite Agile circles however Susan suggests that if you do not have a plan to address risk you are asking for pain for yourself and everyone around you. Susan’s Bio Susan Parente is a Principal Consultant at S3 Technologies, LLC and an Associate Professor at Post University. She is an author, mentor and teacher focused on project and risk management. Her experience is augmented by her Masters in Engineering Management with a focus in Marketing of Technology from George Washington University, DC, along with a number of professional certifications. Ms. Parente has 16+ years’ experience leading software and business development projects in the private and public sectors, including a decade of experience implementing IT projects for the DoD. Contact Data: Email: parente@s3-tec.com Phone: 203-307-5246 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanparente Risk

Software Process and Measurement Cast 343 includes two features.  The first is our essay, Commitment, Revisited: Is Commitment Anti-Agile?  We think not!  Commitment is a core behavior for delivering business value effectively. Our second feature is a visit from the Software Sensei, Kim Pries.  Kim reflects on hiring practices for software development.  Among the nuggets from Kim is the reminder to keep in mind that the perfect employee does not exist, and you are unlikely to ever find someone who fulfills every item on your job description.  How does that simple fact impact hiring? A Call to action! Reviews of the Podcast help to attract new listeners.  Can you write a review of the Software Process and Measurement Cast and post it on the podcatcher of your choice?  Whether you listen on ITunes or any other podcatcher, a review will help to grow the podcast!  Thank you in advance! Re-Read Saturday News The Re-Read Saturday focus on Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox’s The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement

Software Process and Measurement Cast 342 features our interview with Ellen Gottesdiener and Mary Gorman.  We discussed their great book, Discover to Deliver: Agile Product Planning and Analysis, requirements and Agile.  Ellen and Mary provided penetrating insight into how to work with requirements in an Agile environment, from discovery to delivery and beyond. This is the second time Ellen, Mary and I talked Agile requirements.  After listening to this interview turn back the hands of time and listen to SPaMCAST 200. Ellen Gottesdiener is an internationally recognized leader in the convergence of agile + requirements + product management + project management. She is founder and principal of EBG Consulting, which helps organizations adapt how they collaborate to improve business outcomes. Ellen’s passion is helping people use modern product requirements practices to build valued products and great teams. She provides coaching, training, and facilitates discovery and planning workshops across diverse industrie

Software Process and Measurement Cast 341 features our essay titled Agile Team Decision Making. Team-based decision-making requires mechanisms and prerequisites for creating consensus among team members. The prerequisites are a decision to be made, trust, knowledge and the tools to make a decision. No one should assume that that team members have the required tools and techniques in their arsenal to effectively make decisions. Remember: Jo Ann Sweeney, author of the Explaining Change column, is running her annual Worth Working Summit.  Please visit http://www.worthworkingsummit.com/ Call to action! Reviews of the Podcast help to attract new listeners.  Can you write a review of the Software Process and Measurement Cast and post it on the podcatcher of your choice?  Whether you listen on ITunes or any other podcatcher, a review will help to grow the podcast!  Thank you in advance! Re-Read Saturday News The Re-Read Saturday focus on Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox’s The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement b

Software Process and Measurement Cast 340 features our interview with Tom Howlett.  Tom is a Scrum Master.  We talked about teams, collaboration and how to effectively be Agile in distributed teams. Tom’s bio: Tom's been building and working with teams that focus on continuous improvement for 15 years. In that time he's written about the difficulties he faced and how he overcame them in over 100 blog posts on "Diary of a Scrummaster", and a book called "A Programmer's Guide To People". He has a strong focus on breaking down the barriers that restrict collaboration (whether remote or co-located) and ensuring the people who do the work can effectively decide how it's done. He's becoming well known in the Agile community through his speaking and running his local group the "Cheltenham Geeks'. His company LeanTomato provides help forming new teams and helping existing ones meet people’s needs more effectively. Contact informationBlog: Diary of a ScrumMasterTwitter: @diaryofscrumWebsite: LeanTomato Remember: Jo An

Software Process and Measurement Cast 339 features our essay on demonstrations and a new Form Follows Function column from Gene Hughson. Demonstrations are a tool to generate conversations about what is being delivered.  Because a demonstration occurs at the end of every sprint the team will continually be demonstrating the value they are delivering, which reinforces confidence and motivation. The act of demonstrating value provides the team with a platform for collecting feedback that will help them stay on track and focused on delivering what has the most value to the business. Gene continues his theme of microservices.  This week we tackle, “Microservices, SOA, and EITA: Where To Draw the Line? Why to Draw the Line?” Gene says, “we recognize lines to prevent needless conflict and waste.” Two special notes: Jo Ann Sweeny of the Explaining Change column is running her annual Worth Working Summit.  Please visit http://www.worthworkingsummit.com/ Jeremy Berriault will be joining the SPaMCAST family.  Jeremy wi

Software Process and Measurement Cast 338 features our new interview with Stephen Parry.  We discussed adaptable organizations. Stephen recently wrote: “Organizations which are able to embrace and implement the principles of Lean Thinking are inevitably known for three things: vision, imagination and – most importantly of all - implicit trust in their own people.” We discussed why trust, vision and imagination have to be more than just words in a vision or mission statement to get value out of lean and Agile. Need more Stephen Parry?  Check out our first interview.  We discussed adaptive thinking and command and control management! Stephen’s Bio Stephen Parry is an international leader and strategist on the design and creation of adaptive-lean enterprises. He has a world-class reputation for passionate leadership and organisational transformation by changing the way employees, managers and leaders think about their business and their customers. He is the author of Sense and Respond: The Journey to Customer Pu

In this episode of the Software Process and Measurement Cast we feature three columns!  The first is our essay on the Agile release plans.  Even after 12 years or more with Agile we are still asked what we will deliver, when a features will be delivered and how much the project will cost.  Agile release plans are a tool to answer those questions.  Our second column this week is from the Software Sensei, Kim Pries. Kim asks why is baselining so important. Kim posits that if we do not baseline, we cannot tell whether a change is negative, positive, or indifferent—we simply do NOT know. Finally Jo Ann Sweeney will complete the communication cycle in her Explaining Change column by discussing delivery with a special focus on social media. Call to action! Reviews of the Podcast help to attract new listeners.  Can you write a review of the Software Process and Measurement Cast and post it on the podcatcher of your choice?  Whether you listen on ITunes or any other podcatcher, a review will help to grow the podcast!