Software Process And Measurement Cast

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 773 will feature our essay on why as professionals we should strive to grow a little every day. I overheard a team lead complaining that their team did not need to do a retrospective, they were “darn near perfect.” The inference was that their time would be better spent doing rather than reflecting and thinking. Fixed mindsets (Review our re-read of Mindsets by Carol Dweck) are foreign to the philosophy of agile and quality. The comment hurt my heart. We will also have a visit from Jon M. Quigley who brings his Alpha and Omega of Product Development column to the podcast! Jon and I use the learning to play a new bass as a metaphor for learning technology. Re-Read Saturday News This week begin a new book on Re-read Saturday, this week! Ten years ago we started our Re-read Saturday journey. The first installment featured . We have read and re-read a lot of books. The book we begin our next ten years is L. David Marquet’s, .    This is not Mr. Marquet’s first time in our

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 772 features our interview with Ahmed Wasfy. We discuss the role of the engineering manager and how people learn to be engineering managers. Coming to grips with the new role requires learning new skills not just rehashed technical skills. Ahmed, advises new leaders to take control of their careers and not to be a victim. Ahmed is an experienced engineering leader, having led teams at Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. In addition to his day job, Ahmed also helps engineering managers become effective leaders through his coaching. Links Instagram: LinkedIn: Website: Re-Read Saturday News After the conclusion of , there are three brief sections with practical tips for making ideas memorable.  The dust cover states, “With Added Material (now even stickier)”. The added material provides more food for thought for using Made to Stick.  Buy a copy of the book and then catch up on the logistics of this re-read: Week 1: -   Week 2: -   Week 3: -   Week 4: -   Week 5: -   W

To paraphrase Ghostbusters, critical thinking is the indispensable defense science of the next decade. Over the summer we have investigated the concept so we are better positioned to take part in a boisterous world. As decision-makers, the onus is on us to use critical thinking. Also, Jeremy Berriault joins bringing his QA Corner to the podcast. In this installment, Jeremy discusses the difference between maturity and evolution. Do agile organizations mature or evolve?   Re-Read Saturday News We have spent the majority of the summer re-reading . While I didn't take the book to the beach, I did take it to the porch! As with other re-reads, the content of the book has found its way into my writing and consulting practice. In the case of Made to Stick, several ideas and examples have made their way into my essays on critical thinking. The two themes work well together. As you consider sticky ideas you need a framework to test their veracity.   Buy a copy of the book and then catch up on the logistics of this re-

This week the Software Process and Measurement Cast 770 features my interview with Jess Brock.  Jess and I talked about her new book, (the book is excellent but doesn’t really fit in your pocket), learning, and career pivots. Jess’s talk at Agile 2023 helped me reframe how I conceived of dojos as an intense learning environment, not a transformation technique. Jess’s Bio   Jess is a dynamic coach, technologist, and author who has been involved in developing tech products since the mid-2000s. Jess attributes her diverse career experience as one of her greatest strengths because it enables her to coach with sincere empathy and experience. Former agile skeptic, Jess was eventually convinced by a colleague to give agile a try more than a decade ago. Her personal transformation was so impactful that Jess continues to contribute to the broader Agile community to this very day. Most recently Jess has poured her energy into immersive learning dojos as a preferred means of developing long standing skills. She is the

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 768 features our interview with Phil Alves, CEO of DevSquad. Phil and I covered a wide range of topics starting with how he structures teams to perform in dynamic environments and culminating in a discussion of SaaS and entrepreneurship. Software development of any stripe is a team sport; either get it right or suffer the consequences.  Phil describes himself as a SaaS Aficionado!  He builds products for bootstrapped founders, fast-growing startups, and big enterprises at DevSquad. His SaaS company, DevStats, helps product and engineering leaders measure what matters. Phil also is a podcaster!  The SaaS Origin Stories Podcast uncovers those pivotal moments and decisions that turned SaaS companies into major successes. Contact Information DevSquad: DevStats: Podcast:   Re-Read Saturday News In Chapter 5 of we find that an analytical approach reduces people’s ability to be emotionally connected to an idea or concept. Without an emotional connection, they are far less

In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 767,  we continue our summer dive into critical thinking.  In this installment, we consider research and evidence. The discussion of research and evidence ties into this week's installment of Re-Read Saturday (Chapter 4 of which is about credibility). Research and evidence provide credibility and that is not always a good thing. Tony Timbol brings his To Tell A Story column to the podcast. In this installment, Mr. Timbol continues to unravel the mystery of the agile requirements and user stories. Re-Read Saturday News Credibility is the fourth requirement for maximum stickiness (short of Gorilla Glue) discussed in  . Credibility is defined as the quality or power of inspiring belief or trust. Without credibility, the attributes of simplicity, unexpectedness, and concreteness crumble.  Buy a copy of the book and then catch up on the logistics of this re-read: Week 1: -   Week 2: -   Week 3: -   Week 4: -   Week 5: -   Week 6: -   Next SPaMCAST  In the Softwar

This week the Software Process and Measurement Cast 766 features our interview with Ben Johnson, Founder of Particle41. Ben and I discuss the importance of teams, communication, and dependability.  Ben Johnson, founder of Particle41, is a serial Entrepreneur with a track record of success and is an active investor. He is a results-driven leader, skilled in managing high-functioning teams for exceptional outcomes. Ben cultivates collaboration, motivation, and effective communication. As a leader, he aligns team efforts with organizational goals and drives innovation. Ben delivers complex projects with visibility, velocity, and vision and is committed to sharing expertise for the growth of others. Particle41:    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminrjohnson/ Re-Read Saturday News The third attribute of stickiness is concreteness. I spent most of the past week at Agile 2023 in Orlando, Florida.  It was a metaphorical banquet of agile knowledge. I had more hallway conversations than I can count ruminatin

In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 765, we will continue with our summer theme on critical thinking by discussing authority. When deciding what to believe, the authority we place on the source has a significant impact. Authority bias is the name for this cognitive bias. We will also have a visit from the one and only Susan Parente, who brings her Not A Scrumdamentalist column to the podcast. In this installment, we discuss why meetings seem to be the only mechanism for making decisions.  Re-Read Saturday News And now for something completely different…is both the title of the 1971 movie by Monty Python and the Fly Circus and a hint at Chapter 2’s of title. The title is Unexpected (if you are reading along it won’t be a surprise), and is the second condition for something to be sticky.  Buy a copy of the book and then catch up on the logistics of this re-read: Week 1: -   Week 2: -   Week 3: -   Week 4: -   Next SPaMCAST  In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 766 will feature our intervie

In Software Process and Measurement Cast 764 we feature my conversation with Johanna Rothman. We discussed her new book Successful Independent Consulting. Well, we started there and then hit topics like personal value and the impact of success. This might be the eleventy-first conversation I have had with Johanna, and each time I look forward to our time together with anticipation. They are always like attending a master class.  Buy a copy of Successful Independent Consulting. Available everywhere including:   Leanpub: Amazon:     Johanna’s Bio: Johanna Rothman, known as the “Pragmatic Manager,” offers frank advice for your thorny problems. She helps leaders and teams learn to see simple and reasonable options that might work. Those practical alternatives can help them be more effective with others at work. With those choices, they can choose what—and how—to adapt their product development. With her trademark practicality and humor, Johanna is the author of 19 books, hundreds of articles, and blog posts abou

We open the Software Process and Measurement Cast 763 with an application of critical thinking. Can you see the Great Wall of China from space? Urban legends say yes, Chip and Dan Heath (check out our re-read of ) say no. Let's think about this. We also have a visit from Jon M Quigley. Jon and I discuss the implication of the saying “time is money.” In the information economy using that old saw can lead to more problems than it solves. Re-Read Saturday News This week we begin our re-read of by Chip and Dan Heath in earnest. The Introduction lays out the framework for the book and a lot more. This is not one of those introductions you can skip.   I can tell that this reading of is going to be different than the first. Heraclitus stated, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” This re-read may well be an examination of the dangers of accepting sticky ideas and those that generate sticky ideas. Buy a copy of the book and then catch up on the logistics

In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 762, we host a panel discussion on the impact of AI on project management prospects. The panel of Paul Clapis, Susan Parente, Michael Milutis, and Mark Tolbert state categorically that project administration will be overtaken, but the high-value human side of project management will not be displaced. I am not sure what that means for most people working in the project management space. Listen to the discussion and then look carefully at the work you are doing. Will AI be a boon or a bane for project management?  Let the conversation begin. About Paul J. Clapis, Ph.D.:  Dr. Clapis has over 30 years of experience managing AI, Machine Learning, and RPA projects for NASA, aerospace, and financial services industries. He also directed the Hughes Advanced Computing Lab at Yale Science Park, where he conducted applied research in AI, Expert Systems, Machine Learning, and Neural Networks.  linkedin.com/in/pauljclapis About Susan Parente: Susan is an Engineer/Consultant, sp

In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 761 we continue our exploration of critical thinking. In this installment, we examine logical fallacies. The logic in logical fallacies is incorrect whether by design or misinterpretation. You need to be prepared. This week, Jeremy Berriault brings a discussion of QA Audit in agile to the QA Corner.  Are QA Audits a logical fallacy?   Re-Read Saturday News The Re-read Saturday has been a feature of the Software Process and Measurement blog since 2013 (7 Habits of Highly Effective People was the first book). This week we are still in the process of choosing the next book or books (we chose three last time), therefore we have a bit of an interlude today. I need your input to make the final cut! Please provide your input using the poll below.   https://poll.fm/12416734   In the interim catch up on the re-read of .  Buy a copy because you can’t borrow mine!   All of the Team Topologies re-read installments: Week 1: –   Week 2: –   Week 3:  –   Week 4: –   Week 5:

SPaMCAST 760 will feature an interview with Jonathan Hensley, Founder & CEO at EMERGE. Jonathan and I talked about digital transformations and engagement. The core boils down to people and alignment. This was an extremely refreshing interview!  Let me know what you think. Jonathon Hensley is co-founder and CEO of Emerge, a digital product consulting firm that works with companies to improve operational agility and customer experience. For more than two decades, Jonathon has helped startups, Fortune 100 brands, technology leaders, large regional health networks, non-profit organizations and more, transform their businesses by turning strategy, user needs and new technologies into valuable digital products and services. Jonathon writes and speaks about his experiences and insights from his career, and regularly hosts in-depth interviews with business leaders and industry insiders. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and two boys. linkedin.com/in/jonathonhensley emergeinteractive.com (Company) pr

The SPaMCAST 759 continues our exploration of critical thinking. This week we search for a consumable definition. If you can’t hold a definition in your mind it is hard to contemplate the impact and necessity of rigorous thinking.  Keis Kostaqi, brings the first installment of her Scrum Master, Facilitation and Transformation column to the podcast. In this installment, Keis discusses the impact of hierarchy on the role and behavior of Scrum Masters. Re-Read Saturday News We are nearly at the conclusion of Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow . Over the next few days, we will post a poll to get the selection process moving for our next re-read book.  Chapter 8 is titled “Evolve Team Structures With Organization Sensing.” I was struck by two important (and related) concepts during this read. They both are encompassed in the quote “the most important thing is not the shape of the organization itself but the rules and heuristics used to adapt and change the organizations as new

Jeffrey Miller and I have been trying to coordinate a time for an interview on the topics of tribal knowledge and team playbooks since August 2022. We finally solved that problem. Teams generate knowledge, understanding how to hold on to that knowledge and to push boundaries forward is why teams are powerful.    Jeffrey Miller Technologist, Speaker, Author Jeffrey Miller is a Senior Consultant at Manifest Solutions in Columbus, Ohio. Jeffrey has over two decades of experience helping organizations bring value to their mission through software. He has presented a variety of topics at local user groups, regional tech conferences, and national healthcare meetings. Jeffrey and his wife, Brandy, are adoptive parents and have written a fun children’s book called "Skeeters" with proceeds supporting adoption. Learn more about the project at https://skeeterbooks.com/adoption/. Contact Information Blog: https://www.knowledgeplaybook.com/ Company Website: https://manifestcorp.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jami

A funny thing happened on the way to SPaMCAST 757. I was considering critical thinking when I ran into data that challenged a common agile belief - enter critical thinking. The idea is that constant collaboration, the goal of team rooms, and always-on communication software, is to create good ideas and decisions; good but not great. This week we also have a visit from Susan Parente who talks about her approach to personal kanban, something she calls kanban for one. Susan also takes us under the hood for a view into her busy, innovative world and how she keeps it under control. Re-Rread Saturday News This week we are back with Chapter 6 of   Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais.  The boundaries of teams are shaped by numerous pressures ranging from corporate politics and specialism to architectural structure. Inspecting the majority of teams it would seem that boundaries are the outcome of a random walk because they reflect all of these pres

SPaMCAST 756 welcomes back Paul Gibbons. In this visit, we discuss his new book Change Myths: The Professional's Guide to Separating Sense from Nonsense which he co-authored with Tricia Kennedy. I have described Paul’s new book as a Trojan horse. While it dispels myths it more importantly provides the tools for critical thinking which will allow you to tackle new myths as they appear. Pau’s bio: Paul Gibbons is an author, academic, speaker, and business consultant He has authored numerous books, including Change Myths: The Professional's Guide to Separating Sense from Nonsense and The Science of Successful Organizational Change, He lives in the Denver area with his two sons and enjoys playing poker, chess, and other mind sports.  Paul’s Website:  www.paulgibbons.net Email: Paul@paulgibbons.net Facebook – Paul Gibbons (author) Twitter – @paulggibbons YouTube – Philosophyfirst LinkedIn – Paul G Gibbons The interview with Paul was huge, so no Re-read Saturday News this week. We will be back next week.  In the i

SPaMCAST 755 features an essay on the relationship between engagement, hierarchy, and fatalism based on a discussion of the topic between the SPaMCAST Columnists. The ideas of hierarchy, engagement, and fatalism struck a nerve within the SPaMCAST family. To a person, the prevailing attitude is that hierarchy has value, but only to a point.  Jon M Quigley joins the cast in the second slot this week with a discussion about making mistakes. Learning from mistakes is important but making the same mistake over and over is not a sign that you are learning.  Re-read Saturday News! This week we finish the re-read Chapter 5 of Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais. As noted last week, Chapter 5 is a powerhouse. This week, let's examine some of the behaviors that the four fundamental team topologies exhibit. Understanding how teams structured in this manner should behave will also be useful for understanding which team type delivers the most value to

Today I would like to introduce you to the Software Process and Measurement Cast’s newest columnist,  Keis Kostaqi. Keis is a scrum master and coach. She will bring a Scrumban flavor to the podcast. Keis has experience with teams with complicated work input patterns. Today we get to know Keis - and get some interesting ideas along the way.   Keis Kostaqi is a passionate Agile Coach with years of experience in healthcare, information services, and technology. Currently serving as a Program Manager for the Agile Transformation Team at Northwestern Medicine, she enables individuals and teams to be successful through continual learning and growth and facilitates self-managed continuous improvement. Keis serves at the Greater Illinois Chapter of HIMSS Board of Directors as an Educational Programs Director, where she plans and implements the chapter's programs and educational activities. She is also a Woman in Agile member focused on building mentor-mentee relationships that help the Women in Agile community unloc

SPaMCAST 753 features our essay on the impact of hierarchies on engagement and fatalism. Like most things in life, the relationship is not straightforward. Hierarchies giveth and taketh away. If you don’t get the balance right you can say goodbye to engagement, innovation, and fun at work. We also have a visit from Tony Timbol who brings his insights on the life cycle of user stories to the podcast in his To Tell A Story column. In this installment, we talk about the “Wall of Confusion.” When stories are created and then tossed over the wall to another team even high-performing teams slip into the slow lane. Re-read Saturday News! This week we re-read Chapter 4 of Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais. The title of Chapter 4 is Static Team Topologies. One of the underlying messages in the chapter is that team topologies should not be static. However, not being static isn’t the same as playing musical chairs. Buy a copy and read along! - Team