SPaMCAST 629 - Agile Metrics In Action- A Conversation With Christopher W H Davis
Software Process and Measurement Cast
Release Date: 12/13/2020
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_outlineThis week we are staying with metrics and Manning Publications for a chat with Christopher W H Davis, author of Agile Metrics in Action, How to Measure and Improve Team Performance. Why more metrics? Well first, the M in SPaMCAST is for metrics. Secondly, metrics are important tools for teams and organizations when used wisely. Many in the agile world hear the term metric or measure and run screaming from the room. I asked Chris if he thought combining 'metics' and 'agile' was an oxymoron - he thinks not.
After you have listened, buy a copy of Chris’s book using the link http://mng.bz/r2Og Don’t pay full price by using the discount code podspam20 to get a 40% discount code (good for all Manning products in all formats).
Chris’s Bio:
Christopher Davis has been working as an engineer, manager, author, and consultant focused on innovation since the 20th century. Since coming to Microsoft 4 years ago Chris has been focused on retail innovation with Fortune 500 companies. Prior to that he worked at Nike where he designed the platform behind the Nike+ Fuelband and running apps, helped redesign their ecommerce system, and led their initial push to go cloud native, while writing the influential book on measuring software development teams, Agile Metrics in Action. Currently finishing his Ph.D. in Technical Management designing state of the art working models for human-AI collaboration, Chris also enjoys playing classical guitar and building robots with his kids.
Re-Read Saturday News
This week the re-read of Great Big Agile, An OS for Agile Leaders by Jeff Dalton dives into chapter 2. Chapter 2 begins Part 2 which is focused on the six Performance Circles. Leading is first. Jeff points out that this is the most important of the circles because an organization without strong leadership will not allow teams to self-organize.
Remember, buy a copy and read along.
This week’s installment
Week 3: Performance Circle: Leading - https://bit.ly/2K3poWy
Previous installments:
Week 1: Re-read Logistics and Front Matters - https://bit.ly/3mgz9P6
Week 2: The API Is Broken - https://bit.ly/2JGpe7l
Next SPaMCAST
The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature a reprise of a panel interview originally recorded in March and aired on SPaMCAST 597 just as the pandemic was re-writing the landscape of the workplace. Paul Laberge, Susan Parente, Jo Ann Sweeney, John Voris, and I reconvene to reflect on an interesting year and the challenges of today’s workplace.