Accountability vs. Responsibility Debate, Essays and Conversations w Jon M Quigley, SPaMCAST 809

Release Date: 05/12/2024

Prioritization and Deep Seated Issues, A Conversation With Jim Benson, Replay, SPaMCAST 814

Software Process and Measurement Cast

This week on the Software Process and Measurement Cast we have a replay of an interview of Jim Benson from 2019. Jim and I focused on prioritization and how prioritization can be a reflection of more deep-seated problems. One of the ideas Jim shares is that processes are the social contract for getting work done. In the foreword of Mastering Work Intake, I wrote with (published in January 2024), we reflected that Mastering stood on the shoulders of Jim’s Why Limit WIP. Reflecting on this interview I continue to see the relationship between work intake and the travails of...

Accountability and Responsibility Are Intertwined, Why Are There Still Testers, Essays and Conversations, SPaMCAST 813

Software Process and Measurement Cast

Accountability and responsibility are intertwined. In most businesses, the concepts are intertwined, and when hierarchies are present, layered. In other words, determining who is responsible and accountable is harder than deciding how many layers were in the seven-layer dip several hours after it has been served to a hungry softball team. Let’s use the example of developing a feature for a product for Innovatech, an imaginary firm. This ‘case study’ synthesizes several real-life stories. The story format protects the innocent and pokes fun at those acting like a “box of rocks.” This...

Professionalize ML and AI, A Conversation With Brad Micklea, SPaMCAST 812

Software Process and Measurement Cast

In this week’s SPaMCAST we speak with Brad Micklea, Founder & CEO of Jozu. We talk about the professionalization of AI and Machine Learning, the topic of Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), and why agile is integral to getting work done. Brad is the Founder & CEO of Jozu and a project lead for the open-source Kitops.ml project, a toolset designed to increase the speed and safety of building, testing, and managing AI/ML models in production. This is Brad’s second startup, his first (Codenvy, the market’s first container-based developer environment) was sold to Red Hat in...

Committees to Dodge Responsibility, Certifications, Essays and Conversations, SPaMCAST 811

Software Process and Measurement Cast

When I published Accountability vs. Responsibility I did not anticipate being drawn back into the discussion of whether committees can be accountable and responsible. Over the last few weeks, I have observed several “product meetings.” In these meetings, consensus decisions are being made about releases, what they will contain, and a marketing approach. These are committee meetings. Is the committee accountable for their decisions and to whom? It is not a moot point In mid-2008, I wrote “Responsibility, Got Some?” As I considered the topic of accountability and...

Making The World A Better Place, A Conversation with D.J. Eshelman, SPaMCAST 810

Software Process and Measurement Cast

SPaMCAST 810 features our interview with D.J. Eshelman, author of . DJ and I cover a wide range of topics including why one size fits all approaches are a prescription for burnout. We also tackle why everyone should invest in an outside mentor. D.J. Eshelman, author of Just Do THIS - Photo Credit Sarah Goff DJ with over 25 years of IT experience, dedicated his career to Citrix Systems since 2004. He authored books, runs blogs at and , hosts the "THRIVE-IT" YouTube channel and "THRIVEcast" show, interviewing IT leaders. Recognized as a Citrix Technology Advocate in 2017, he has...

Accountability vs. Responsibility Debate, Essays and Conversations w Jon M Quigley, SPaMCAST 809

Software Process and Measurement Cast

SPaMCAST 809 features our essay discussing whether accountability and responsibility are ever separated in real life. In a corporate setting, if you are interested in instigating a no-holds-barred debate bring up the topic of the relationship between accountability and responsibility. Get your popcorn ready BEFORE you start the discussion. We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley who brings his Alpha and Omega of Product Development to the podcast. Jon and I discuss a nefarious form of micromanagement. Learn To Tame Your Work Intake Beast! Whether you’re creating, enhancing,...

Design Thinking, A Conversation with Steven Schkolne, SPaMCAST 808

Software Process and Measurement Cast

SPaMCAST 808 features our discussion with Steven Schkolne. We talk about design thinking and about how design thinking impacts users and user satisfaction. We answer what happens when a design thinker builds a business. Steven Schkolne is a computer scientist, designer, and entrepreneur who’s particularly passionate about the way humans work creatively with machines. His current focus is a web project called MightyMeld, a visualization and creation platform for sophisticated React codebases. LinkiedIn: Websites (biz) (personal) Steven called out Dinamo, a type design...

Work Intake Nuances in Mid-Management, Seamless Communications, Essays and Conversation w/ Jeremy Berriult - SPaMCAST 807

Software Process and Measurement Cast

SPaMCAST 807 looks at the Nine Core Work Intake Principles from the organization’s middle. Each layer of the organization has an approach to work intake. While the macro outcome is the same for each layer – work is accepted – each has nuances. The simple three-tier view of organization design used in Mastering Work Intake begins with an executive layer followed by middle management and is anchored by teams. We addressed a team perspective in SPaMCAST 804. Middle management is an important anchor because it makes strategic or longer-term tactical decisions compared to teams. ...

Why Write Mastering Work Intake?

Software Process and Measurement Cast

Why write Mastering Work Intake? Because Jeremy Willets and decided maybe things could be different. That just chanting “stop starting and stop finishing” wasn’t enough. Our book provides the reader with ideas, principles, actionable advice, worksheets, and examples to help you tame the chaos of work entry. If you had the world enough and time maybe you could put off getting better, making better choices until tomorrow. However, things are the way they are and you can act. Buy a copy of Mastering Work Intake - You could read the book on your own. Marcus Aurelius, Stoic...

Craft and Defend Organizational Culture, An Interview with Peter Schroeder, SPaMCAST 805

Software Process and Measurement Cast

SPaMCAST 805 features our interview with Peter Schroeder. We discuss plane crashes, fatherhood, and the journey from DJ to a technologist and then to a business person. Organizational culture is critical in all organizations, double in distributed environments. Peter discusses how he learned to craft and defend organizational culture. Peter Schroeder is an accomplished DJ, entrepreneur, and technology pioneer. With over 20 platinum records, 40 gold records, and a triple nomination for the prestigious Danish DJ awards, Peter is one of Denmark's top DJs, entertaining audiences of up to...

More Episodes

We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley who brings his Alpha and Omega of Product Development to the podcast. Jon and I discuss a nefarious form of micromanagement.

Learn To Tame Your Work Intake Beast!

Whether you’re creating, enhancing, or maintaining software products, work intake is a challenge you deal with constantly. Doing the right work at the right time can make or break your project, and there are surprisingly few resources to show you how to manage this process effectively. You need to know what your team is executing, what work is next, and the skill sets required to do the work.

Buy a copy of Mastering Work Intake: From Chaos to Predictable Delivery by Tom Cagley and Jeremy Willets

A testimonial!

“I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone who has suffered through work intake missteps in Agile teams and wants to find a better way to deliver predictable results.”

Jeffrey A. Miller

Senior Consultant

Purchase a copy of the book from:

JRoss Publishing: https://bit.ly/474ul6G

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3NWOKn0

Re-read Saturday News

We have just completed our re-read of Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport. Newport concludes with a reminder that working deeply is a skill for getting important stuff done. We can learn and hone the skills needed for deep work by putting in the effort. The author suggests that deep work is not a moral or philosophical statement, I am not sure. Aristotle stated the most important virtue is wisdom. Deep work is required to develop wisdom.

Remember to buy a copy of Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World and read along.

Week 1: Logistics and Introduction - https://bit.ly/43fGAMX

Week 2: Deep Work Is Valuable - https://bit.ly/3TznAVd

Week 3: Deep Work Is Rare - https://bit.ly/4afglsG

Week 4: Deep Work Is Meaningful - https://bit.ly/3vRso09

Week 5: Work Deeply - https://bit.ly/4aQ5Uvq

Week 6: Embrace Boredom - https://bit.ly/3JoBDIB

Week 7: Quit Social Media - https://bit.ly/3Wk1dWK

Week 8: Drain the Shallows - https://bit.ly/4drJ7YX

Week 9: Conclusion - https://bit.ly/3WAGLRw

Next week we begin Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Buy a copy and read along - https://amzn.to/4b5kPmb). I have read parts of this book, not the whole therefore I am going into this read with imperfect information. My biggest worry, however, is learning to pronounce the Author’s name. I am wise enough to have already started practicing!

Next SPaMCAST

SPaMCAST 810 features our interview with D.J. Eshelman, author of Just Do This. One of the topics we will discuss is how badly implemented methodologies like Agile and DevOps are causing burnout in IT Services. Fighting words?

Learn To Tame Your Work Intake Beast!

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