Software Process And Measurement Cast

In this week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature three columns.  our essay on empathy. Coaching is a key tool to help individuals and teams reach peak performance. One of the key attributes of a good coach is empathy. Critical to the understanding the role that empathy plays in coaching is understanding the definition of empathy. As a coach, if you can’t connect with those you are coaching you will not succeed. Let’s learn how to become more empathic.  Our second column features the return of the Software Sensei, Kim Pries.  Kim looks at how we might apply David Allen’s concepts for Getting Things Done (after the book of the same name). Please note the comments reflect the Software Sensei’s interpretation of how Allen’s work might be applied to software development. Anchoring the cast this week is Gene Hughson bringing an entry from the Form Follows Function Blog.  Today Gene discussed his essay, Changing Organizations Without Changing People.  Gene proclaims, “Changing culture is impossible

This week we are doing something special. Right after the New Year holiday, all of the regulars from the Software Process and Measurement Cast gathered virtually to discuss the topics we felt would be important in 2016.  The panel for the discussion was comprised of Jeremy Berriault (The QA Corner), Steve Tendon (The TameFlow Approach), Kim Pries (The Software Sensei), Gene Hughson (Form Follows Function) and myself. We had a lively discussion that included the topics of women in tech, microservices, capabilities, business/IT integration and a lot more.  Help grow the podcast by reviewing the SPaMCAST on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcatcher/player and then share the review! Help your friends find the Software Process and Measurement Cast. After all, friends help friends find great podcasts! Re-Read Saturday News We continue the re-read of How to Measure Anything, Finding the Value of “Intangibles in Business” Third Edition by Douglas W. Hubbard on the Software Process and Measurement Blog. In Chapt

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast opens with our essay on quality and measuring quality. Software quality is a simple phrase that is sometimes difficult to define. In SPaMCAST 374, Jerry Weinberg defined software quality as value. In our essay, we see how others have tackled the subject and add our perspective. Jeremy Berriault brings the QA Corner to the first SPaMCAST of 2016, discussing the sticky topic of estimating testing. Estimating has always been a hot button issue that only gets hotter when you add in testing.  Jeremy provides a number of pragmatic observations that can help reduce heat the topic generates. Wrapping up the cast, Steve Tendon discusses the topic of discovery driven planning from his book, Tame The Flow. Discovery driven planning is a set of ideas that recognizes that most decisions are made in situations that are full of uncertainty and complexity. We need new tools and mechanisms to avoid disaster. Help grow the podcast by reviewing the SPaMCAST on iTunes, Stitcher o

In this Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature our interview with Gerald M. Weinberg. We discussed quality and the how quality is related to value.  A talk with Jerry is always profound; however, I must admit that Jerry’s humor caused me to laugh more times than I can count during our conversation. Gerald Weinberg is the author of more than 100 books, including the best-selling Secrets of Consulting, other non-fiction series, and the ever-popular Women of Power novels. He is a principal in the international consulting firm of Weinberg and Weinberg. The festschrift, The Gift of Time (Fiona Charles, ed.) honors his work for his 75th birthday. His websites may be found at http://www.geraldmweinberg.com and http://www.thewomenofpower.org. Call to Action! Review the SPaMCAST on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcatcher/player and then share the review! Help your friends find the Software Process and Measurement Cast. After all, friends help friends find great podcasts! Re-Read Saturday News We cont

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 373 features our essay #NotImplementedNoValue. The twelve principles that underpin the Agile Manifesto include several that link the concept of value to the delivery of working software. The focus on working software stems from one of the four values, “Working software over comprehensive documentation,” which is a reaction to projects and programs that seem to value reports and PowerPoint presentations more than putting software in the hands of users. For a typical IT organization that develops, enhances and maintains the software that the broader organization uses to do their ultimate business; value is only delivered when software can be used in production. We visit Gene Hughson’s Form Follows Function Blog!  Gene suggests that while most models have value, some models are can lead to poor decisions.  The punchline for the discussion is “Simple is good, but not when it’s too good to be true” Gene builds the case that we need to be cognizant of our biases when using

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 372 features our interview with Vasco Duarte. Vasco returns to the podcast to discuss his new book, #NoEstimates Book.  In the interview, Vasco and I discussed the underlying concepts behind #NoEstimates and how the concept has matured. If you are interested in project management, estimation and delivering value, the ideas that Vasco discusses will be both controversial and valuable. If we paraphrase Shakespeare, then Estimates or #NoEstimates has to be the question. Let’s answer it! Introducing Vasco: Vasco wants to transform product development organizations into product business organizations. He does that by focusing the work of the product development teams on the end-to-end life-cycle of their products. From Concept to Cash and Back! Vasco Duarte is currently a Managing Partner at Oikosofy. Product Manager, Scrum Master, Project Manager, Director, Agile Coach are only some of the roles that he has taken in software development organizations. Having worked in the

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 371 features our essay on Focus and the Pomodoro technique.  Focus might be just about the most important technique available for getting work done. Focus and attention are critical assets that need to be managed or we risk wasting time and energy. We will also include Steve Tendon discussing management’s role in a learning organization from his new book, Tame The Flow. Management needs to both facilitate and participate in a learning organization.  A learning organization is a critical success factor for engaging in a knowledge economy. Finally, we will anchor the cast with a visit to the QA Corner with Jeremy Berriault.  Jeremy and I discussed testing environments. Jeremy puts his stamp on the perennial discussion of whether all testing environments need to be production like. Call to Action! Review the SPaMCAST on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcatcher/player and then share the review! Help your friends find the Software Process and Measurement Cast. After a

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 370 features my discussion with Greger Wikstrand.  Greger and I discussed his article titled “Should you distrust Agile?” and other topics. Greger discussed why some people distrust Agile and whether you and your customers should also distrust Agile software development. After you listen to the podcast, read Greger’s blog on the topic. Greger Wikstrand, Ph.D. M.Sc. is a TOGAF 9 certified enterprise architect with an interest in e-heatlh, m-health and all things agile as well as processes, methods and tools. Greger Wikstrand works as a CTO at Capgemini where he alternates between enterprise advisory services, business development and working with thought leadership. Contact Blog: http://www.gregerwikstrand.com/ Twitter:  https://twitter.com/gregerwikstrand Call to Action! Review the SPaMCAST on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcatcher/player and then share the review! Help your friends find the Software Process and Measurement Cast. After all, friends help friends

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 369 features our essay on stand-up meetings.  Stand-up meetings are a combination of tactical planning on steroids and the perfect start to a great day. Stand-up meetings are one the easiest Agile practices to adopt and often one the easiest to mess up. Also, this week features we have Kim Pries and his Software Sensei column.  Kim discusses what it takes to move toward mastery. Mastery implies more than just being good at any particular task. The Software Sensei provides a path forward. Gene Hughson brings the first of his discussions on the topic of #NoEstimates from his Form Follows Function blog! Specifically Gene provided a more detail and background on his essay #NoEstimates – Questions, Answers, and Credibility. Call to Action! Review the SPaMCAST on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcatcher/player and then share the review! Help your friends find the Software Process and Measurement Cast. After all, friends help friends find great podcasts! Re-Read Saturda

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 368 features our interview with Pedro Serrador. We discussed his research, paper, and presentation titled “Does Agile Work?” Pedro lays out his research on whether and not Agile really works. Pedro’s Bio The Software Process and Measurement Cast 368 features our interview with Pedro Serrador. We discussed his research, paper and presentation titled “Does Agile Work?” Pedro lays out his research on whether or not Agile really works. Pedro’s Bio: Pedro M. Serrador,  PMP, P.Eng., MBA, PhD is a writer and researcher on project management topics and owner of Serrador Project Management, a consultancy in Toronto, Canada He specializes in technically complex and high risk projects, vendor management engagements, and tailoring and implementing project management methodologies; he has worked on projects in the financial, telecommunications, utility, medical imaging, and simulations sectors for some of Canada's largest companies. His areas of research interest are project succe

The Software Process and Measurement Cast includes two columns this week.  The first is our essay: Scaled Agile Charters.  A scaled Agile charter is not just a thicker team charter because a scaled Agile project is not just a bigger Agile project. Scaled Agile charters need to be assembled part by part based on the needs of the project. This week’s essay provides a path to getting value from scaled Agile charters. The second column is a new installment of Jeremy Berriault’s QA Corner! We discussed using communities of practice to spread testing knowledge. A community of practices is a wonderful tool to transfer knowledge and to generate a network among practitioners. Call to Action! Review the SPaMCAST on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcatcher/player and then share the review! Help your friends find the Software Process and Measurement Cast. After all, friends help friends find great podcasts! Re-Read Saturday News Remember that the Re-Read Saturday of The Mythical Man-Month returns this week when we ta

The Software Process and Measurement Cast features my interview with Jeff Dalton.  Jeff returns to the Software Process and Measurement Cast to discuss the 12 attributes of successful Agile organizations. Jeff talks about the relatively small set of attributes that successful Agile organizations possess and exhibit. These attributes don’t occur by accident, but rather are a reflection of hard work and consistency of purpose.  We can all reflect and adopt these attributes in our pursuit of success. Jeff shows us how! Jeff’s Bio: Jeff Dalton is President of Broadsword, a Certified Lead Appraiser, CMMI Instructor, ScrumMaster and author of “agileCMMI,” Broadsword’s leading methodology for incremental and iterative process improvement, as well as many published articles and ebooks on performance innovation. Jeff has been selected Keynote Speaker at numerous conferences including the International Conference on CMMI in Lima, Peru, the PMI Great Lakes 2013 Symposium, the 2014 QUEST Conference and Expo, the CMMI SEP

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast includes three columns!  The first is our essay on Agile Project Charters.  Project charters, done correctly, can play an extremely important role in the initiation of projects. The essay lays out how Agile projects can get the benefit of a project charter, without the bloat and shelfware that often get attached to project charters. Software process and Measurement Cast 365 also features the return of the Software Sensei with a discussion of improvisation in software development. Kim Pries writes, “Many people think improvising means making things up, on the spot, without any advance preparation. I prefer a different definition: creating something special from whatever ordinary ingredients happen to be available. I would suggest we can go beyond this definition—good improvisation is a sign of mastery of one’s craft. Furthermore, truly great improvisation always involves ensembles (i.e., leave your ego at the door).” A powerful and important essay for anyone in

I am still on vacation (at least for a few more hours), and this week we have another mixtape for you. This week I have included the responses to the “if you could fix any two (or sometimes one) things” question I ask at the end every interview from the three most downloaded interviews of 2014. The top three were: SPaMCAST 302 featured Larry Maccherone. Larry’s two wishes were: That we unlearn the natural tendency to look at how a number can be gamed rather than how it can be used. That he had access to all data and infinite time to analyze the data. Listen to the whole interview with Larry! SPaMCAST 318 featured Rob Cross. Rob wished that: Organizations would realize it is not the tools rather it is the data that counts. Organizations need to change their culture to focus on security. Listen to the whole interview! SPaMCAST 310 featured the return of Mike Burrows.  Mike only had one wish this time: Development organizations need to embrace balance as a value. Mike made the list two years in a row! List

I am on vacation for a two weeks and could not leave you without some Monday morning mind candy, therefore, we are doing two very special shows this week and next.  This week I have included the responses to the “if you could fix any two (or sometimes just one) things” question I ask at the end every interview from the three most downloaded interviews of 2013.  The top three and one extra were:: SPaMCAST 224 featured Mike Burrows. Mike focused his wishes on: Changes agents need to take their role as change agents seriously. Delay is expensive. Link: http://spamcast.libsyn.com/s-pa-mcast-224-mike-burrows-kanban-values   SPaMCAST 246 featured Tobias Mayer. Tobias focused his wish on: People, not management or consultants, need to own scrum. (One wish was enough for Tobias) Link: http://spamcast.libsyn.com/s-pa-mcast-246-tobias-mayer-t-he-people-s-scrum   SPaMCAST 270 featured Alan Shalloway.  Alan focused his two wishes on: Everyone needs to acknowledge there are laws of software development. Assuming that

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast features our interview with Chris Nurre.  Chris is a developer and Agile Coach extraordinaire. We explored the role of an Agile coach from the point of view of someone that is actively involved in delivering code, both technically and as a change agent. Chris likes to keep his bio short and sweet: Chris is an Agile coach, Apple developer and Clevelander. Co-organizer of Cleveland Agile Group #CleAG Chris’s contact data:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/chris-nurre/4/322/22bTwitter: http://twitter.com/cnurreEmail: chris@atinytribe.com Call to Action! Review the SPaMCAST on ITunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcatcher/player and then share the review! Help your friends find the Software Process and Measurement Cast. After all, friends help friends find great podcasts! Re-Read Saturday News Remember that the Re-Read Saturday of The Mythical Man-Month is in full swing. This week we tackle the essay titled “The Whole and the Parts”! Check out the new installme

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast includes two columns.  The first is our essay on software measurement. When we measure we are sending an explicit message about what is important to the organization, and therefore sending an explicit signal about how we expect people to act. Remember the old adage, “you get what you measure.” Our second column this week is from Gene Hughson and his Form Follows Function blog. In this installment Gene throws down the gauntlet to ask the questions, “Who needs architects?” Call to Action! For the remainder of September let’s try something a little different.  Forget about iTunes reviews, and tell a friend or a coworker about the Software Process and Measurement Cast. Let’s use word of mouth will help grow the audience for the podcast.  After all the SPaMCAST provides you with value, why keep it yourself?! Re-Read Saturday News Remember that the Re-Read Saturday of The Mythical Man-Month is in full swing.  This week we tackle the essay titled “Sharp Tools”! Check

The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature interview with Steve Boronski. Steve and I had a great conversation about Agile and Prince2. The conversation focused on the new Prince2 Agile Project Management Best Practice extension to Prince2 and why the world needs another interpretation of Agile project management. Once you have listened to the SPaMCAST 360 revisit my first interview with Steve on SPaMCAST 184. Steve is a Project and Program Management professional with many years practical experience developed in both the public and private sectors. He specializes in IT enabled Business Change assisting many organizations to use a structured approach to their business changes, from Portfolio to Program and Project delivery mechanisms. Steve now spends most of his time travelling the world, training and consulting, helping people to learn and apply PRINCE2®, PRINCE2 Agile™, MSP® and P3O® all Best Practice Guidance freely available from the UK Cabinet Office for worldwide application. Contact I

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast features three columns.  The first our essay on Reviews and Inspections.  Reviews and inspections are a critical tool for improving quality and team effectiveness. Whether you are using Agile or classic techniques improving your reviews and inspections will directly increase the value you deliver. We also have a new entry in the QA Corner with Jeremy Berriault.  Jeremy and I discussed the value of independent QA. Anchoring the cast is a new installment from the Software Sensei, Kim Pries. Kim contrasts planned activities and improvisation in software development.  Kim builds on the differences in the two approaches to help teams to understand when to do either. Call to Action! For the remainder of September let’s try something a little different.  Forget about iTunes reviews and tell a friend or a coworker about the Software Process and Measurement Cast. Let’s use word of mouth will help grow the audience for the podcast.  After all the SPaMCAST provides you w

This week’s Software Process and Measurement features our interview with Julia Wester.  Julia is an Improvement Coach at LeanKit and writes the Every Kanban Blog.  Julia and I discussed the role of management in Agile. Is it time to throw out managers?  Julia’s perspectives is that management must play a constructive role in helping Agile teams deliver the most value. Julia espouses Lean principles and considers herself on an eternal journey to make teams as happy, effective and customer-value oriented as possible. As an Improvement Coach at LeanKit, she is excited to continue to learn and integrate Lean principles into efforts that help others tame the chaos of traditional organizations and streamline processes in order to make customers and teams more satisfied.         You can read more about Julia at her blog, Everyday Kanban Reach out to Julia on twitter @everydaykanban and visit LeanKit Call to Action! For the remainder of September let’s try something a little different.  Forget about iTunes reviews an