SPaMCAST 590 - Future of Testing, An Interview with Nancy Kastl
Software Process and Measurement Cast
Release Date: 03/15/2020
SPaMCAST 784 - Agile Best Self, A Conversation With Michaele Gardner and Brian Hackerson
Software Process and Measurement Cast
Software Process and Measurement Cast 784 features our interview with Michaele Gardner and Brian Hackerson. We talk about their Agile Best Self Initiative. We also, and perhaps more importantly, discuss being in control of yourself so you can truly deliver value to those around you. As we start to close out 2023 it is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how you can be your best self. Michaele Gardner started out as a counselor at an emergency crisis line. Clients were too messy: clear inputs did not lead to predetermined outputs. So she moved into the world of IT and has not looked back....
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SPaMCAST 783 - Are You Authorized, Growth, Essays and Conversations
Software Process and Measurement Cast
Software Process and Measurement Cast 783 tackles a classic work intake problem, “Do you have the authority to ask for this work?” Work input processes need to vet more than just requirements. We also have a visit from Jon M Quigley. Jon and I discussed taking control of your personal growth. It is not your organization's responsibility. Re-Read Saturday News Chapter 10 of is titled, The Red-Blue Operating System. Marquet starts this chapter with the cautionary tale of the Ford Pinto. The chapter highlights the outcome of the industrial approach to leadership going wrong. My...
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SPaMCAST 782 - Data Transformations, A Conversation With Govind Balu
Software Process and Measurement Cast
The Software Process and Measurement Cast 782 features our conversation with Govind Balu on the importance of data and the concept of data transformations. Data represents the gold rush of the 21st Century! Govind Balu is a visionary entrepreneur and experienced executive with a strong background in leveraging data and AI to drive business growth across different industries. As the Founder and CEO of QuaXigma, he spearheads the company’s vision to transform organizations into data-driven enterprises. Govind observed that small and medium businesses struggle to effectively extract value...
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SPaMCAST 781 - Micromanagement, You Are Not Alone, Essays and Conversations
Software Process and Measurement Cast
The Software Process and Measurement Cast 781 begins with a discussion of prioritization and sequencing. These two ideas often get conflated. Work might be important but if it has predecessors and successors it will require sequencing. You can’t deploy a new piece of hardware unless you have it. The acquisition of the equipment comes before deployment. Not letting teams control or have input into sequencing has consequences. Let us discuss avoiding those negative outcomes. We also have a visit from Keis Kostaqi who returns with her You Are Not Alone column. Keis and I discuss the new Scrum...
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SPaMCAST 780 - Business Analysis Critical For Agile, A Conversation With Billie Johnson
Software Process and Measurement Cast
The Software Process and Measurement Cast 780 features our interview with Billie Johnson. Our discussion focuses on the role of delivering outcomes and values using agile teams. We also discussed her book, which she co-authored with Kelley Burns. Re-Read Saturday News The improve play is one of the most powerful aspects of Marquet’s suggested framework. Improve is chapter 7 of . Improve is a time for stepping back from the pressure of getting stuff done to consider whether you are doing the right thing, right. We have spoken about the need to pause, reflect, and replan periodically...
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SPaMCAST 779 - Prioritization Can Be Micromanagement, Power Of Sabbaticals, Essays and Conversations
Software Process and Measurement Cast
Software Process and Measurement Cast 779 wrestles with the question, When prioritization involves overly detailed or excessive control over how someone accomplishes their tasks or when it impedes an employee's ability to make their own decisions it becomes micromanagement. Let's explore and look for a path to healing. We will also have a visit from Susan Parente and her Not A Scrumdamentalist column. Susan talks about her impending sabbatical and why taking a pause can be powerful. Re-Read Saturday News Complete is the next chapter in . This concept suggests breaking goals into smaller...
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SPaMCAST 778 - Charting A New Odyssey, A Conversation With Bill Fox
Software Process and Measurement Cast
The Software Process and Measurement Cast 778 marks our return from Iceland. WICKED trip, great country, great people! We return with our interview with Bill Fox. Bill and I discussed his new book, , transformation, dialog, listening, and leadership. The many conversations Bill and I have had over the years leave me in a better place. Bill states, “I believe that the great leaders and companies in the 21st century will go on a Forward Thinking journey and be built from the inside out.’ The world has shifted, and new rules apply. It used to be that you would win by...
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SPaMCAST 777 - Re-release SPaMCAST 486 - Daniel S Vacanti, Actionable Agile Metrics
Software Process and Measurement Cast
This week we are on our annual holiday. We are toiling away editing audio and doing voice exercises to bring you new and exciting content and will be back next week! In the SPaMCAST 777 we re-release SPaMCAST 486 - Daniel S Vacanti, Actionable Agile Metrics. The idea of flow metrics has fundamentally changed my perspective on how to use metrics. I have to thank Mr. Vacanti for starting me on the path. Enjoy the interview. The original inroducion - SPaMCAST 486 features our interview with Daniel S. Vacanti. Mr. Vacanti is the author of . We discussed the concepts in the book,...
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SPaMCAST 776 - Re-release SPaMCAST 641 - The Agile Coaching Code of Ethics, A Conversation With Shane Hastie and Craig Smith
Software Process and Measurement Cast
We are on our annual holiday and will return with new programs on October 22nd. This week in the SPaMCAST 776 from our archives we feature SPaMCAST 641 - The Agile Coaching Code of Ethics, A Conversation With Shane Hastie and Craig Smith. The show was originally aired on March 7, 2021. I still think the ethics initiative is one of the most important things I have been involved with professionally. Enjoy the discussion. Read more (you really should) at The original inroducion - In the podcast this week, we discuss the Agile Coaching Code of Ethics and the process of building...
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SPaMCAST 775 - Re-release SPaMCAST 635 - Practical Ways to Manage, A Conversation with Johanna Rothman
Software Process and Measurement Cast
We are on our annual holiday and will return with new programs on October 22nd. The Software Process and Measurement Cast 775 is a re-release of SPaMCAST 635 - Practical Ways to Manage, A Conversation with Johanna Rothman. The show was originally released on January 24, 2021. It was one of the SPaMCAST’s many anniversary editions. Enjoy our conversation The original introduction - Cue the music . . . Happy Birthday, Software Process and Measurement Cast! Today we begin year 15 with a visit from Johanna Rothman. We talked about her THREE new books: Practical Ways to Manage...
info_outlineThe SPaMCAST 590 features my interview with Nancy Kastl. Nancy and I discussed testing and the future of the testing profession. The future of testing is not cut and dry; in the short run more automation and in the long-term more codeless testing and AI might replace entry-level testers. An eye-opening interview!
Nancy’s Bio:
Nancy Kastl is an accomplished professional with over thirty-five years of experience as a consultant, facilitator, and instructor in software quality and testing. As an entrepreneur and consultant, she brings her expertise in strategic planning, quality management, software testing, process re-engineering, and measurement to every engagement.
As the executive director of SPR’s Testing Services, she provides thought leadership to clients, formulates solutions to their needs, and provides daily guidance and oversight to SPRs on-shore testing team in Chicago. She is the founder and President of the Chicago Quality Assurance Association. Nancy is a frequent conference speaker and served as the QUEST conference chairperson for twelve years. She loves photography, being surrounded by nature, and traveling.
Reach out to Nancy on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/nancy-kastl-416170
And check out SPR at https://spr.com/work/
Re-Read Saturday News
This week we continue our re-read of Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, Switzler with Chapter 3, Start With Heart. This chapter begins to teach the reader “how” to dialog. Start with heart means that we have to establish our goal before getting involved in a dialog.
Week 1 - Logistics, Forewards, and Preface - http://bit.ly/2wls1Mq
Week 2 - Chapter 1: What’s a crucial conversation? And who cares? - http://bit.ly/3a7Kivp
Week 3 – Chapter 2: The Power of Dialogue – http://bit.ly/3aO4cMa
Week 4 - Chapter 3: Start With Heart - http://bit.ly/2UbJizK
If you do not have a copy or have tossed it at someone during a crucial conversation, it is time to buy a copy. Please use the link https://amzn.to/34RuZ6V (using the link helps support the blog and podcast).
Book Club Starting Soon
Jon M Quigley and I are starting an online book club to read and discuss the classic books that underpin the lean, quality and agile movements. The name of the book club is “Quality, Agile, and Lean Classic Books: Greatness in the Workplace”. The first book is Out Of The Crisis by Deming (don’t have a copy — https://amzn.to/32XAH81)
We are starting our dialog on Friday, April 10th and the event will run over 7 sessions (we will avoid as many religious and national holidays as possible). We are only opening 10 seats for each group of sessions. We are changing a one time fee of $3.13 which equates to 4.95 (ish) once Eventbrite factors in their fees to encourage people that sign up to show up.
More information and sign up at http://bit.ly/2IsPPkf
Next SPaMCAST
The SPaMCAST 591 will feature my interview with Shelisa Bainbridge. Shelisa is the Head of Human Centered Delivery (HCD) at Agile by Design. We talked about human-centered design, why design thinking is important, women in tech and agile, and more. This is a powerful interview with a ton of useful ideas.
Also, I may have some special content in the feed over the next few weeks. A little lagniappe because we all deserve it right now.