Software Process And Measurement Cast

SPaMCAST 582 features our interview with Paul Gibbons.  We discussed his new book IMPACT: 21st Century Change Management, Behavioral Science, Digital Transformation, and the Future of Work (Leading Change in the Digital Age). The interview started by exploring the high-level factors that influence change and then spun down into areas such as the future of work, biases, and de-biasing. This is the second book in the series he began with  The Science of Successful Organization Change which we discussed on SPaMCAST 480. The ideas that Paul shares are thought-provoking and will improve how you think about change.   Pau’s bio: Paul Gibbons is an author, academic, business consultant, podcaster and professional speaker. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. After eight years as a senior consultant at PwC, Gibbons founded Future Considerations, a consulting firm that provided guidance to major corporations, including Shell, BP, Barclays and HSBC, on achieving whole-systems change. From 2015-2018, he wa

SPaMCAST 581 features a discussion on whether most agile transformations have provided teams with the technical skills to be successful with agile. Kim Pries, the Software Sensei, Jeremy Berriault, QA Corner, and I had a wide-ranging discussion covering experimentation, learning and both personal and management responsibility.  Business Agility Conference is sponsoring this Podcast!   Dates: March 11-12, 2020 Location: New York City, 117 West 46th Street The Business Agility Conference is an intense 2-day event focusing on the future of business, focusing on customer centricity, employee engagement, organization design, product innovation, and next-gen leadership. The Conference is bringing together some of the greatest speakers and practitioners of business agility to share their experiences and the benefits their organizations have gained from exploring new and agile practices.  This is the first, and original, Business Agility Conference. The goal is to bring the local and international business agility co

SPaMCAST 580 features our interview with Bill Fox. Bill and I discussed his new book The Future of the Workplace -  https://amzn.to/2Q8z9Df.  Bill has compiled a huge amount of wisdom from his amazing interviews that translated into his new book. Bill and I spent time in this interview exploring the journey to the new book and Bill’s philosophies.  Our discussion highlights the benefits of a deep humanist view of leadership. Bill’s Bio  Bill Fox is an author, speaker, and consultant who helps build forward-thinking and human-centered workplace cultures. Bill leads a growing global conversation at Exploring Forward Thinking Workplaces (forwardthinkingworkplaces.com) with 75+ pioneering business and thought leaders. His work will help you discover new pathways, make better decisions, and be a forward thinking leader. He is the author of The Future of the Workplace (Apress, October 2019), the Be a Workplace of the Future NOW Series, and 5 Minutes to Process Improvement Success. Learn more about Bill at billfox.

SPaMCAST 579 features our essay on fear-driven agile hybrids.  Most hybridization issues stem from techniques that conflict with the framework and/or agile principles due to clashes with culture or lack of knowledge. Blindly making changes will never reflect what the environment’s context demands. Expecting to get good results by randomly changing how you work won’t be effective.  We will also have a visit from Jeremy Berriault from QA Corner.  Jeremy and I talked about frameworks and what should happen if the framework is not helping.   Contact Jeremy at https://www.berriaultandassociates.com/  Email: Jeremy.Berriault@Berriaultandassociates.com  Business Agility Conference Dates: March 11-12, 2020 Location: New York City, 117 West 46th Street The Business Agility Conference is an intense 2-day event focusing on the future of business, focusing on customer centricity, employee engagement, organization design, product innovation, and next-gen leadership. The Business Agility Institute is bringing together some

SPaMCAST 578 features our interview with Evan Leybourn. Evan and I discussed HR Guilds and news from the Business Agility Institute. Evan last visited the podcast on SPaMCAST 478 as the Business Agility Institute was just being formed.  Two years later it is going strong and helping change how business is done.  Evan is the Founder and CEO of the Business Agility Institute; an international membership body to both champion and support the next generation of organizations. Companies that are agile, innovative and dynamic - perfectly designed to thrive in today’s unpredictable markets. The BAI connects leaders across industries and regions to share their experiences and insights with each other. The flagship event, the Business Agility Conference will run in New York March on 11 and 12, 2020. Evan is also the author of Directing the Agile Organisation and #noprojects: A Culture of Continuous Value. Business Agility Institute: http://businessagility.institute/ HR Guild - https://businessagility.institute/hr-gui

SPaMCAST 577 features our essay on approaches to backlog prioritization. Today we will share some background and a simple approach because sometimes a straightforward approach will fit the bill! Also this week, Susan Parente joins the cast with an installment of her Not a Scrumdamentalist column.  Susan discusses agile myths. Re-Read Saturday News In this week’s installment of our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow we talk about risk policies. The concept of risk policies dovetails quite nicely with our discussion of story and portfolio prioritization.    Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy.  Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon,  It’s time to get reading! The current installment of Re-read Saturday: Week 31: Chapter 31: Risk Policies - http://bit.ly/2RWEqin  Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 578 features the return of Evan Leybourn.  Evan and I discuss

SPaMCAST 576 features a discussion on learning and experimentation with Kim Pries.  Kim has coded, tested, lead, and is an author. He has also delivered pointed advice as the Software Sensei.  Today we discussed the relationship between learning and experimentation which is at the heart of growing as you practice software development. Re-Read Saturday News In this week’s installment of our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow we talk about the collision of utility theory and prospect theory, overweighting vivid outcomes, and denominator neglect. Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy.  Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon,  It’s time to get reading! The current installment of Re-read Saturday: Week 40: Rare Events - http://bit.ly/2LANUMr  Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 577 will feature our essay on simple approaches to backlog prioritization.  Sometimes a

SPaMCAST 575 features our essay on the lightning-rod issue: hybridizing agile methods and techniques. We can all agree that fitting a model to an observed reality requires the flexibility to hybridize. Why do we it so wrong so often? We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley and his Alpha and Omega of Product Development column. Jon and I talked about Deming and his impact on our lives and a book club we are launching early next year. Re-Read Saturday News In this week’s installment of our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow we talk about the Fourfold Pattern, Certainty Effect and the Possibility Effect (Chapter 29).  Simply put “people are not perfectly rational choosers,” which makes it hard to make consistently good decisions.   Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy.  Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon,  It’s time to get reading! The cur

SPaMCAST 574 features our interview with Ian Reynolds, chief Solutions Architect at Zibtek  We answered the question, What is a solution architect? The discussion coved ideas across starts-ups, medium, and large-sized businesses. Ian paints the solutions architect as an action hero whose raison d'être is to deliver business value. Ian’s Bio: Ian is a partner and chief Solutions Architect at Zibtek - a software development firm focused on helping businesses of all sizes in the US to solve their core problems with the software. Ian has spent his career consulting and helping different industries to empower greater profitability and efficiency. He loves to share his experiences and ideas on building the right tools through custom software.  Website: www.zibtek.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/zibtek/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/Zibtek/ Twitter: twitter.com/zibtek Re-Read Saturday News In this week’s installment of our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow we talk about bad events.   The chapters in Part 4 of T

SPaMCAST 573 features our essay using a workflow to prioritize a backlog. Items on any backlog proliferate. Product backlogs used in agile and lean development approaches are no different.  Many outsiders have the mistaken notion that once on the list that that is the end of the story -- let’s dissuade them of this idea. Gene Hughson brings his Form Follows Function column to the podcast.  Gene and I discussed his experience as an application architect.   Re-Read Saturday News In this week’s installment of our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow Chapter 27 begins with a discussion of the classic indifference curve from Econ 101. The indifference curve shows the trade-off between two goods. In this case, Kahneman uses the trade-off between income and leisure to show how overly simple theories generate models that do not describe behavior outside the textbook. The problem that Kahneman points out is the basic indifference curve doesn’t reflect context. Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of T

SPaMCAST 572 features our interview with Michael Larsen.  Mr. Larsen and I battled fires, Santa Ana winds, and power cuts to have a great conversation on testability.  Anyone that has participated in delivering software EVER has wrestled with a discussion of whether a story or requirement can be proved.  Michael brings fresh and actionable insights into how to assure testability.   Michael’s bio Michael Larsen is a Senior Quality Assurance Engineer with Socialtext/PeopleFluent. Over the past two decades, he has been involved in software testing for a range of products and industries, including network routers & switches, virtual machines, capacitance touch devices, video games, and client/server, distributed database & web applications. Michael is a Black Belt in the Miagi-Do School of Software Testing, helped start and facilitate the Americas chapter of Weekend Testing, is a former Chair of the Education Special Interest Group with the Association for Software Testing (AST), a lead instructor of the

SPaMCAST 571 features our essay titled the Art of Saying No.  I recently presented a workshop on saying no -- a simple word that is very difficult to say.  During the session, three specific reasons why participants could not say no generated a huge debate. Today we ask you to decide how you feel about the impact of a history of performance, interruptions, and demands. Feel free to share your opinion.  We will also have a visit from Jeremy Berriault.  In the QA Corner this month, Jeremy provides observations about outside interests and their ability to improve focus and reduce burnout. Jeremy’s outside interests are Jiu-Jitsu and his family.  Jeremy can be reached at Berriault and Associates Consulting Group or by email at Jeremy.Berriault@Berriaultandassociates.com.  We had planned to have Michael Larsen on the cast this week, however, Mr. Larsen was affected by power outages in the Bay Area of California due to wildfires.  Re-Read Saturday News In this week’s installment of our re-read of Thinking, Fast and

SPaMCAST 570 features our essay on the components of good sprint goals. Sprint goals provide direction and energy, and they communicate with the outside world. A sprint goal should be a straightforward statement that a product owner should be able to craft quickly and then agree upon with a team. We provide a structure to keep goals simple and impactful.   We will also have a visit from Susan Parente. In this installment of Susan’s Not a Scrumdamentalist column, we discuss value.  Value is core to many practices, the problem is that value is a very nebulous concept. Susan provides guidance. Continue the conversation with Susan at parente@s3-tec.com and visit her company at www.s3-tec.com Re-Read Saturday News And we are back! Kahneman titled chapter 24 The Engine of Capitalism. Optimism, Kahneman's engine of capitalism, convinces entrepreneurs to take risks and start new firms even when statistically most will fail for a myriad of reasons. In addition, this type of bias pushes start-ups to be resilient in the

SPaMCAST 569 features our essay on the five types of meetings.  Meetings are the most important event in any organization — well that is what it seems like.  It can also be said that meetings are the bane of every human that isn’t buying or selling something (and that caveat might be an overstatement). Let's put a name on the five most common types in software-centric organizations. We will also have a visit from Jeremy Berriault.  In the QA Corner this month, Jeremy provides observations about the inclusion (and sometimes the lack of inclusion) of QAs in ceremonies such as the Daily Scrum.  Jeremy can be reached at Berriault and Associates Consulting Group or by email at Jeremy.Berriault@Berriaultandassociates.com.  Re-Read Saturday News We added Mt Hood (last active in 1800s) to our tour of volcanoes so I did not get back on track, but never fear we really will be back next week (unless volcanoes pop up in Midwest…) Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please b

This week in SPaMCAST 568 marks the return of Sandeep Koorse.  Sandeep brings deep insight into the Agile mindset, passion, and experimentation. All three are required for a healthy team. Sandeep last appeared as part of SPaMCAST 511. Sandeep is an innovative leader with over 15 years of experience in helping companies achieve higher results through a careful evaluation of their processes and their technology. Known for determining the metrics and behaviors that promote consistent excellence then sharing those values with colleagues through influence and authority. Recognized by peers for exceptional problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and a passion for the community. Reach out to Sandeep at sandeep@koorse.com Re-Read Saturday News I am hiking volcanoes this week, literally! The 400+ page copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow has not been in my day pack (it is in the luggage). We will be back next week.  Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, pleas

This week in SPaMCAST 567  we discuss the impact of herding on work entry.  Herding in decision making effectively takes “no” off the table, leading to uncontrolled work entry. This type of behavior is response-driven and dangerous. We will also have a visit from Gene Hughson to complete his three-part discussion of the solution architect. Today we discuss the solution architect as risk mitigation.  Re-Read Saturday News This week in our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow, we have a chapter that needs to be read by anyone ever who has been asked for an estimate… ever.  The chapter title is The Outside View and makes the case for another point of view when estimating. Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy.  Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon,  It’s time to get reading! This week’s installment! Chapter 23: The Outside View http://bit.ly/35dOibJ

SPaMCAST 565 tackles three ways to mess up sprint goals. Sprint goals are a statement of the value that teams strive to deliver.  It is possible to complete all of the stories or work items only to realize that the team has lost sight of the goal. Alternately, it is possible to meet the goal and not complete all of the stories.  We also have a promo for the Agile Online Summit https://www.agileonlinesummit.com/2019 This year’s summit will be held October 7 - 11th --- EVERYWHERE, it’s a virtual conference.  Visit the website to sign-up. The basic conference is FREE. Rounding out the cast, we have a visit from Jon M Quigley with an installment of The Alpha and Omega of Product Development.  Jon talks about his two new books and product roadmaps. Re-Read Saturday News This week in our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow, Kahneman opens with a discussion of a number of studies that show that professional predictions are far less accurate than simple algorithmic predictions. Remember, if you do not have a favorite,

SPaMCAST 564 is part 2 of my conversation with Steve Tendon and Daniel Dioron.  We discussed their new book Tame Your Work Flow. Steve and Danie ask the question “Do you need a high-performance enterprise management & governance approach improving planning, execution, and delivery while dealing with multiple projects, events, stakeholders and teams?”, the book and the interview probes potential answers. In order to answer the question, the three of us take a deep dive into applying Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints in the real world. Listen to part 1 before listing to SPaMCAST 564. Steve Tendon’s Bio With a background in software engineering (in his early career he lead the development of software applications in diverse fields, like banking, health care, legal, human resources, and more), Steve is the creator of the TameFlow ® Approach, a systems thinking approach for creating breakthrough performance innovation in knowledge-intensive digital businesses. The TameFlow Approach has been developed and used w

SPaMCAST 563 is part one of my conversation with Steve Tendon and Daniel Dioron.  We discussed their new book Tame Your Work Flow. Steve and Daniel share deep insights into applying Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints in the real world. After you have listened to the conversation you will never view the flow of work as an esoteric topic.  Steve, Daniel, and I had a wide-ranging conversation, I decided to ignore my own guideline on two-part interviews and let the tape run (metaphorically). We will return with part 2 next week.  Steve Tendon’s Bio With a background in software engineering (in his early career he lead the development of software applications in diverse fields, like banking, health care, legal, human resources, and more), Steve is the creator of the TameFlow ® Approach, a systems thinking approach for creating breakthrough performance innovation in knowledge-intensive digital businesses. The TameFlow Approach has been developed and used with great success since 2003, across numerous industries. Ste