Software Process And Measurement Cast

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 197! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 197 has two parts!  The first part of the Cast features my essay "What do you do when inertia wins?" The second part introduces a new column written by my friend and listener, Bill Fox.  Bill is the creator of 5 Minutes to Process Improvement Success and will bring the lessons he has learned to the SPaMCAST! The SPaMCAST 197 is sponsored by LeanKit Kanban.  By now, most of you in the Lean-Agile community have heard of LeanKit, recognized by community leaders and practitioners alike as the most flexible and powerful tool available for implementing visual management. Since their launch in 2009, LeanKit has helped hundreds of companies around the world to quickly and easily model even very complex processes as vertical and horizontal lanes on a virtual whiteboard with cards representing work flowing from step to step. Well, LeanKit has now announced the launch of groundbreaking new features that allow even the lar

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 196! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 196 features my inteview with Jeff Anderson of Deloitte on topics that spanned lean, kanban and using the ideas from the work done on lean startups as a process improvement tool. Bio -  Jeff started his professional life as your typical IT development geek, creating software delivery joy through the use of things like patterns, agile methods, and overall object oriented goodness. For the most part he was disappointed in the way IT delivery projects were managed, the reason they were started, and how they ended up. This dissatisfaction with the status quo led him to gradually embrace a new mission in life, to help IT knowledge workers to become awesome at what they do. To that end he has created the Deloitte LEAN service offering, providing advisory, coaching, and change management services to IT departments. Jeff has built this capability within Deloitte to help IT clients truly transform the way they operate

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 195! The SPaMCAST 195 features my essay, Routines:  The Good and The Bad.  Routines are an important part of how we work. Like many other things routines can givith and can taketh away. The SPaMCAST 195 is sponsored by LeanKit Kanban.  By now, most of you in the Lean-Agile community have heard of LeanKit, recognized by community leaders and practitioners alike as the most flexible and powerful tool available for implementing visual management. Since their launch in 2009, LeanKit has helped hundreds of companies around the world to quickly and easily model even very complex processes as vertical and horizontal lanes on a virtual whiteboard with cards representing work flowing from step to step. Well, LeanKit has now announced the launch of groundbreaking new features that allow even the largest enterprise portfolio and projects to be managed using multiple levels of drill-down Kanban boards, detailed sub-taskboards, and roll-up Lean metrics - as well as a co

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 194! The SPaMCAST 194 features my interview with Peter Taylor.  We discussed his new book, The Lazy Project Manager and The Project From Hell. We all have had one . . . Peter's book provides a path to avoid your next project from heck! Simply put:  SPEAKER: AUTHOR: TRAINER: COACH: CONSULTANT In depth: Peter is a dynamic and commercially astute professional who has achieved notable success in business.His background is in project management and marketing across three major business areas over the last 28 years and with the last 8 years building and leading PMOs. He is an accomplished communicator, a professional speaker, workshop trainer and PM/PMO consultant. Peter is the author of ‘The Lazy Project Manager’, The Lazy Winner’ and ‘The Lazy Project Manager and the Project from Hell’ (Infinite Ideas), as well as ‘Leading Successful PMOs’ (Gower). More information can be found at www.thelazyprojectmanager.com and www.leadingsuccessfulpmos.com   and www.thelazy

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 193! The SPaMCAST 193 features my essay tilled Hyper-Conectivity and Illusions.  I sat in a meeting a few weeks ago and after about ten minutes I was brought up short.  Everyone was paying attention; not one laptop was open nor was anyone reading an email or text under the table (by the way you really can't hide by texting under the table).  People were taking notes "old school" on paper. The meeting ended on-time after 25 minutes meeting the objective and with the promise of minutes.  I was shocked by the seeming efficiency and effectiveness so I lingered after the meeting to discuss my observations with my sponsor. The SPaMCAST 193 is sponsored by LeanKit Kanban.  By now, most of you in the Lean-Agile community have heard of LeanKit, recognized by community leaders and practitioners alike as the most flexible and powerful tool available for implementing visual management. Since their launch in 2009, LeanKit has helped hundreds of companies around the worl

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 192! The SPaMCAST 192 features my interview with Mitch Lacey.  We discuss his new book, The Scrum Field Guide.  Mitch Lacey is an agile practitioner and consultant and is the founder of Mitch Lacey & Associates, Inc., a software consulting and training firm. Mitch specializes in helping companies realize gains in efficiency by adopting agile principles and practices such as Scrum and Extreme Programming. Mitch is a self-described “tech nerd” who started his technology career in 1991 at Accolade Software in San Jose, CA, a computer gaming company. After working as a software test engineer, a test manager, a developer, and a variety of other jobs in between, he settled on his true calling, project and program management. Mitch was a formally trained program manager before adding agile to his project tool belt. He began developing agile skills at Microsoft Corporation, where his team successfully released core enterprise services for Windows Live, where he

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 191! The SPaMCAST 191 features part 2 of my essay "Who Owns Estimation In Agile Projects?"  Haven't listened to Part 1?  Click the link! Part two begins:  What does ownership mean in terms of accountability and responsibility?  When something belongs to you or is directly related to your actions, accountability and responsibility are directly inferable.  Unfortunately, even though we are quick to assign ownership, responsibility and accountability we fail to ask, who really should own an estimate or whether they can be   accountable for the estimate if they can’t do the work or control those that do.  In corporate environments, ownership is generally not about ensuring the best flow of information but rather who can be pilloried when an estimate is missed.  Sound like hyperbole?  I recently heard a C level executive say “whose neck can I wring if we miss the date and the budget” when talking about a project, therefore a quick tour of the why estimates are c

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 190! The SPaMCAST 190 features my interview with Raja Bavani. We discussed distributed agile! Raja Bavani is Chief Architect of MindTree’s Product Engineering Services (PES) and IT Services (ITS) groups and plays the role of agile evangelist. He has more than 20 years of experience in the IT industry and has published papers at international conferences on topics related to Code Quality, Distributed Agile, Customer Value Management and Software Estimation.  His IT experience started during the early 90s, when he was involved in porting a leading ERP product across various UNIX platforms. Later he moved onto products that involved data mining and master data management. During early 2000, he worked with some of the niche independent software vendors in the hospitality and finance domains.  At MindTree, he has worked with some of the top vendors of virtualization platforms, business service management solutions and health care products.  His areas of interest

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 189! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 189 features my essay on the use of experiments to support process improvement programs.  The essay begins: Is the use of experiments part of your process improvement culture? When I’m at conferences or networking events, I get asked whether or not an idea or technique will work in a specific organization or situation.  In many cases the answer I give is that in reality, it depends. I know that sounds like common consultant speak but what “it depends” means is that to really understand if something could work, you need to determine how to balance organizational culture, people, skills and the assets that can be deployed (not all tools are good).  The only way to increase the knowledge needed to forecast success of any specific change is through experimentation in a real world environment. Shameless Ad for my book!  Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Mural

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 188! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 188 features my interview with Siraj Sirajuddin.  We discussed agile, organizational change, listening, philosophy and a ton more! Siraj has provided excellent change management coaching and leadership to large and medium sized organizations like Extended Stay America, Ft. Huachuca AZ, DKB Household Brands, Railinc, Media Temple, EDF, Springfield TN Middle School, Ultimate Software, LabCorp, Elemica, Inc., ShoreTel, Winn Dixie Stores, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, NIH, CMS and Compaq Computers.  He has 20 years of experience with people and process improvement consulting and coaching. He has deep and varied domain (Social Media, SAAS, IT, Software, Healthcare, Retail, Transport, Education, Finance) and functional knowledge and process improvement experience using Lean, Kanban, Agile, CMMI, Six Sigma, PMBOK, SOX, BASEL and HIPAA. He is also an expert / student of Systems Thinking / Learning Organizations, People Dyna

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 187! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 187 features my essay on the roles of the PMO and agile team in Agile Estimation. I hope we will all still be friends when I am done. The essay begins: Why is the matter of who owns estimation in an agile project (or any type of project) a discussion that generates passion?  In simplest terms, he who owns the estimate, owns the project agenda. The effect of having the wrong person or group “own” estimate can impact a wide range of behaviors and commitment.  As we all know, budgets, estimates and plans are often construed as commitments, etched in stone, which may or may not make sense to those who actually have to design, code or test.  The many forms of estimation are an integral part of the project landscape getting ownership right will have an impact on motivation, productivity and quality. Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by M

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 185! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 186 features my interview with 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. I recommend going back to SPaMCAST 138 to listen to our earlier interview after listening to this interview! Jo Ann Sweeney is a communications consultant who helps transformation teams win the support of their sponsors, senior executives and end users. She is known for her ability to help teams understand the change from their audiences’ perspectives, as well as developing communication activities that catch their interest. Jo Ann specialises in helping clients develop activities that take audiences on a journey from awareness, through understanding, to support, involvement and commitment. Teams are able to deliver sticky change. Programmes have spanned skills development, product launches, office relocations, redundancies

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 publishe

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 184! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 184 features my interview with Steve Boronski.  We discussed PRINCE2® (PRojects IN Controlled Environments), which is a widely used project management method that navigates you through the essentials for running a project.PRINCE2 is a de facto standard developed and used extensively by the UK government and is widely recognised and used in the private sector, both in the UK and internationally. Steve's Bio: Steve is a Project and Programme Management professional with many years practical experience developed in both the public and private sectors. He specialises in IT enabled Business Change assisting many organisations to use a structured approach to their business changes, from Portfolio to Programme and Project delivery mechanisms. Steve now spends most of his time travelling the world, training and consulting, helping people to learn and apply PRINCE2®, MSP® and P3O® all Best Practice Guidance freely avail

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 Pu

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 182! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 182 features my interview with Corey Haines.  We discussed the evolution of a software journeyman, coding, code retreats, a bit of philosophy and more. Corey's Bio:  After 12 years of coding for money, Corey Haines said enough and went on a year-long, journeyman pair-programming tour. Traveling the world, pair-programming for room and board, he spent his time teaching, learning and just living as a knowledge-cross-pollinating, little, software craftsmanship bee. For the past three years, Corey has focused his attention on helping developers improve their fundamental software design skills through the use of focused-practice events, such as coderetreat. He currently specializes in training teams on fundamental development technical practices, as well as building projects and products when not on the road. Contact Data:http://coreyhaines.com/Code Retreat: http://coderetreat.org/Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cor

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 181! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 181 features my essay titled, Manufacturing, Engineering or Craft?  The essay begins . . . A few weeks ago I sat next to a gentlemen on a flight to Albuquerque.  After a couple of glasses of wine we found we were in related fields.  As the conversation progressed he confided in me that he did not understand why software projects were never on time, on budget or exactly what he wanted since software development was engineering and his consultants had called development a factory. I paid for the next round of wine as I tried to dissuade my new friend that building, enhancing or maintaining software was not really like assembling a car. 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 projec

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 Pr

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 178! The SPaMCAST 178 features my interview with Al Pittampalli.  We discussed his book, Read This Before Our Next Meeting, the modern meeting standard and how most meetings are in need of a makeover or avoiding. Al Pittampalli is the author of Read This Before Our Next Meeting, the most popular Kindle book in the world during the week of its release. It was recently selected by renowned business book expert, Todd Sattersten as the #4 best business book of 2011 by and by the IBM Competitive Edge Book Club as their Q1 2012 read. Al has been featured in various major media and popular publications such as Forbes, Huffington Post, CBS, and American Express Open Forum. He helps Fortune 500 companies provoke change in the status quo. You can learn more about Al at: ModernMeetingStandard.com. Want to buy Al's book? Hadcover  Kindle Contact Data:Email:  al.pittampalli@gmail.comTwitter:  @PittampaliWeb:  http://modernmeetingstandard.com/about-al/  Support the Softw

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 M