SPaMCAST 597 - Intentional Serendipity, A Panel Discussion with Laberge, Parente, Voris, Sweeney, and Cagley
Software Process and Measurement Cast
Release Date: 04/26/2020
Applying The Nine Core Principles of Work Intake and Why Organizations Do Projects with Susan Parente, SPaMCAST 804
Software Process and Measurement Cast
The Nine Core Principles of Work Intake are a key backbone of Mastering Work Intake by Jeremy Willets and Tom Cagley. Teams and organizations need to apply these principles to avoid chaos. In the SPaMCAST 804, we illustrate the application of the Nine Core Principles based on role and organizational hierarchy beginning with the classic Scrum team roles. We also have a visit from Susan Patente, who brings her Not A Scrumdamentalist column to the podcast. This installment discusses why organizations do projects and their role in society. Learn To Tame Your Work Intake Beast! Jeremy...
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Mastering Work Intake - What is Work Intake?
Software Process and Measurement Cast
Our video provides a quick overview of Work Intake and its importance. Enjoy and let's discuss the concept. Learn to solve IT’s dirtiest secret — work intake. Stop ignoring it. Start fixing it. Today we are also announcing two new Mastering Work Intake training opportunities. Diagnose and solve work intake anti-patterns Become a work intake master. Work intake is the biggest challenge facing organizations today. If you don’t get work intake right, you won’t be in business for very long. We offer two different versions of the cohort — One with pre-recorded videos and less...
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Time For Agile To Buy Mom or Dad Jeans? A Conversation with Mark Metze, Jeremy WIllets, and Tom Cagley, SPaMCAST 802
Software Process and Measurement Cast
The SPaMCAST 802 features a panel discussion. Mark Metze, Jeremy Willets, and myself. discuss “Is agile still a movement or has it reached middle age?” We weigh the appropriateness of wailing and gnashing of teeth, hand wringing and sullen withdrawal, or pragmatism and philosophy. In the end perhaps the right answer is to buy a pair of mom or dad jeans and accept that all great movements reach middle age at some point. We look forward to your opinions and comments. Panelists Mark Metze: With a career spanning over 30 years in the software industry, Mark has evolved...
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Winning Without Focus, Myth Debunked and Soft Skills Are Hard - SPaMCAST 801 with Kies Kostaqi
Software Process and Measurement Cast
The SPaMCAST 801 will examine the question, “When is not having clear priorities a winning strategy?” While the answer might seem self-evident, I am not sure people and organizations put their money where their mouth is. We also have Kies Kostaqi’s You Are Not Alone column. This installment highlights the soft skills required to be an effective Scrum Master. Soft does not mean unimportant or easy to develop. How can you spread the word about ? The best way is to leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever you buy your books. Reviews increase the likelihood that someone like...
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Mastering Work Intake - Principles Matter, A Conversation with Johanna Rothman, Jeremy Willets, and Tom Cagley - SPaMCAST 800
Software Process and Measurement Cast
In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 800 Johanna Rothman takes over the podcast and interviews Jeremy Willets and me. We discussed , why principles make more sense than best practices, and how disciplined work intake is the core to getting work done. We learn that in practice, stop starting and start finishing only works when you pay attention to the work that goes into a system. Contact info: Johanna Rothman LinkedIn: Website: Jeremy Willets LinkedIn: Website: Tom Calgey LinkedIn: Website: https://tomcagley.com/ I was asked the best way...
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Beyond Buzzwords - Rethinking Collaboration in Software Development and Prioritization vs. Micromanagement - Finding the Right Balance - SPaMCAST 799
Software Process and Measurement Cast
The Software Process and Measurement Cast 799 discusses why all communication is not collaboration. It is a commonly held belief that complex problems require collaborative efforts to solve. Couple that with an almost fad-like insistence that if a little collaboration is good, more is better, which leads to everything being deemed collaboration. We can do better with a little effort. We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley and his Alpha and Omega of Product Development column. Mr Quigley and I talk about prioritization as micromanagement. And how if you are not there to pick up the...
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Exploring the Power of Nearshore Software Development and Uplifting Organizational Culture An Interview with Steve Taplin, SPaMCAST 798
Software Process and Measurement Cast
The Software Process and Measurement Cast 798 features my interview with Steve Taplin of Sonatafy Technology. Steve and I discussed the nuances and benefits of nearshore software development. Steve also provided his thoughts on why building an uplifting culture both inside and outside the organization reaps powerful rewards for everyone it touches. Steve Taplin leads Sonatafy Technology as its CEO, bringing an entrepreneurial flair and inspirational leadership to the forefront of nearshore software development. His career is marked by a series of successful business scalings, showcasing his...
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Unraveling the Paradox of Process, QAs As Servants, Essays and Conversations SPaMCAST 797
Software Process and Measurement Cast
In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 797 we ponder a statement from Roger Turnau in SPaMCAST 796, “You can’t expect the process to save you from yourself in every circumstance.” The statement poses a leadership quandary leading to questions every leader must ask. When does process guidance make sense? When do processes infantilize teams and leaders? These are not the basis for an after-work philosophical discussion. Vast movements within the software industry have been spawned as cultures have swayed between directive and laissez-faire poles. We also have a visit from...
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Roger Turnau - Taming the Backlog with Cost of Delay, A Conversation, SPaMCAST 796
Software Process and Measurement Cast
The Software Process and Measurement Cast 796 features a conversation with Roger Turnau. Roger and I talk about prioritization using the cost of delay. Every organization and team I have ever worked with has a backlog of work and lots of people screaming that their piece of the backlog is the most important. The cost of delay is an important tool to filter out the noise and it can be as nuanced as you need it to be. Roger Turnau is an Agile Coach at Accenture. His mission is to empower and inspire leaders and organizations to create an environment where high performance feels effortless. His...
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Jargon - Bridging Bonds or Building Barriers, Essays and Conversations
Software Process and Measurement Cast
Part of every profession is the jargon practitioners adopt. Having a language links people together and creates a sense of community. It also creates private gardens: a profession set off from those around it. Jargon is a form of secret handshake. Jargon is a two-edged sword, both gathering and excluding people. Be wary! We also have a visit from Susan Parente and her Not A Scrumdamentalist column. We discussed her recent mini-sabbatical. Stepping back has the power to clear your mind. Slay Work Intake Chaos: Become a Master in 5 Weeks! Based on Tom Cagley and Jeremy WIllet’s new...
info_outlineThe SPaMCAST 597 features a special panel of leaders discussing working from home now and after the initial reaction to being remote has worn off. One of the important points that we discussed was the need to make space for intentional serendipity. The panel is composed of Paul Laberge, Susan Parente, John Voris, Jo Ann Sweeney, and your host.
Panelist Bios
Jo Ann Sweeney FCIM FIIC MCIPR is an engagement and communication consultant. Typically, she acts as change management lead on complex programmes, facilitating development of effective engagement, training, and communication strategies and then assisting as the strategies are implemented.
Clients value her deep understanding of audiences. Jo Ann is known for clarifying the complex and for persuading key stakeholders to get involved and actively support change.
You are welcome to download a complimentary copy of Jo Ann’s guide How to Explain Change in 8 Easy Steps at https://freeguide.explaining-change.com/
Contact Jo Ann at [email protected]
John Voris is the current leader of AgilePhilly, the local user group in the Philadelphia area for Scrum, Kanban, and Lean Software. (www.AgilePhilly.com) His day job is working on financial applications for Crown Cork & Seal, an essential company with over 100 years of manufacturing food and beverage cans. Prior to Crown, John was an independent software consultant for 30+ years helping both small companies and Fortune 100 large companies with both applications and operating systems.
Reach out on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-voris-7b20525
With more than 30 years in the information technology industry, Paul Laberge – CGI Director Consulting-Expert, has a wide range of experience providing IT project management. He enjoys coaching leaders in deploying business technology solutions. His experience in organizational change management spans many different lifecycles including transitions to Agile frameworks (RUP, XP, Scrum, SAFe, Nexxus, LeSS) and incorporating Lean (Kanban) methodologies.
Reach out on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paullaberge
Susan Parente is a Principal Consultant at S3 Technologies, LLC and a University Professor at multiple Universities. Mrs. Parente is an author, mentor and professor focused on risk management, traditional and Agile project management. Her experience is augmented by her Masters in Engineering Management with a focus in Marketing of Technology from George Washington University, DC, along with a number of professional certifications. Ms. Parente has 23+ years’ experience leading software and business development projects in the private and public sectors, including a decade of experience implementing IT projects for the DoD.
Contact Susan at [email protected]
Re-Read Saturday News
This week we tackle Chapter 9 of Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, Switzler. The subtitle of this chapter is a fair summary of the ideas in the chapter: how to turn crucial conversations into action and results. Let’s face it if you don’t do anything with what you learn in a crucial conversation you are wasting a lot of value.
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
Week 5 - Learn To Look - https://bit.ly/3djnnPX
Week 6 - Make It Safe - https://bit.ly/39p4Xu4
Week 7 - Master my Stories - https://bit.ly/2V1DJUZ
Week 8 - State My Path - https://bit.ly/2XtqTSr
Week 9 - Explore Others’ Paths - https://bit.ly/2ViOGD5
Week 10 - Move to Action - https://bit.ly/2y1ddUb
We are starting the poll for the next book in the re-read series. Crucial Conversations has two more chapters and an afterword left which means we have approximately three weeks to choose what we will read next. I am going to try something a little different this time by focusing on books I’ve read in late 2019 early 2020 and that I carry around with me when I am working. One exception is the inclusion of the runner up from our last poll.
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).
Next SPaMCAST
SPaMCAST 598 will feature our essay titled Recognizing A Toxic Meeting Culture. Just because you are meeting remotely doesn’t mean meeting culture has been reset.
We will also return to the QA Corner with Jeremy Berriault.