SPaMCAST 726 - Nuke Your Backlog, A Conversation With Allan Kelly
Software Process and Measurement Cast
Release Date: 10/23/2022
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...
info_outline Beyond Buzzwords - Rethinking Collaboration in Software Development and Prioritization vs. Micromanagement - Finding the Right Balance - SPaMCAST 799Software 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...
info_outline Exploring the Power of Nearshore Software Development and Uplifting Organizational Culture An Interview with Steve Taplin, SPaMCAST 798Software 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...
info_outline Unraveling the Paradox of Process, QAs As Servants, Essays and Conversations SPaMCAST 797Software 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...
info_outline Roger Turnau - Taming the Backlog with Cost of Delay, A Conversation, SPaMCAST 796Software 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...
info_outline Jargon - Bridging Bonds or Building Barriers, Essays and ConversationsSoftware 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_outline Data Engineering, AI, Entrepreneurship - Unveiling 2024's Tech Horizons, A Conversation With Nick Schrock - SPaMCAST 794Software Process and Measurement Cast
The Software Process and Measurement Cast 794 features our conversation with Nick Schrock. Nick and I discussed data engineering, AI, and entrepreneurship. As the Founder at Dagster Labs, Nick has the perfect standing to talk about three of the hottest topics of 2024. Nick’s Bio: Nick is the Founder and CTO of Dagster Labs, the company behind Dagster, a popular open-source data orchestration platform. Before Dagster Labs, he was a Principal Engineer and Director at Facebook from 2009 to 2017, where he founded the Product Infrastructure team and co-created GraphQL. After cutting his teeth at...
info_outline Stop Project Chaos: The Ultimate Guide to Predictable Work IntakeSoftware Process and Measurement Cast
Feeling overwhelmed by endless tasks and unpredictable deadlines? You're not alone. But what if you could transform your project into a well-oiled machine, delivering consistent value on time? Introducing Mastering Work Intake: From Chaos to Predictable Delivery. Ditch the black hole of endless requests. Discover practical strategies for capturing, filtering, and prioritizing work effectively. Gain control of your work pipeline. Learn how to navigate different types of work at different stages, ensuring smooth flow and efficient delivery. Become a master of saying "no". This book...
info_outline SPaMCAST 793 - Value Streams Analysis, Work Intake, Who Can Be A Scrum Master, Essays and ConversationsSoftware Process and Measurement Cast
As you would suspect, I have recently been talking up Mastering Work Intake which Jeremy Willets and I co-authored. One conversation turned to the topic of whether value stream analysis was useful in controlling work intake. The simple answer is YES across the whole value stream and up and down the hierarchy. We will also have a visit from Kies Kostaqi who brings her “You Are Not Alone” column to the podcast. In this installment, we discuss whether anyone (within reason) can play the Scrum Master role. Mastering Work Intake by Tom Cagley and Jeremy Willets Have...
info_outline SPaMCAST Special - Nine Core Work Entry PrinciplesSoftware Process and Measurement Cast
by Thomas M Cagley Jr and Jeremy Willets, gives you the tools to prioritize and deliver the right work at the right time. The book is on the shelves today! One of the topics covered in the book 9 Core Principles of Work Intake. Today’s audio promo describes the 9 principles to promote both the book and our cohort-based workshop. To whet your whistle, when you join the cohort waitlist (near the bottom of the Maven landing page) you will receive a copy of the 9 Core Work Intake Principles Worksheet. This is one of the handouts from the class that you can use to determine how your team...
info_outlineIn SPaMCAST 726 Mr. Allan Kelly returns! We discussed the fact that backlogs often become dumping grounds. Allan suggested an energetic solution. We also discussed OKRs and whether they are related to backlogs. Are OKRs the chicken or the egg?
Allan Kelly advises and mentors managers and teams in using agile approaches and OKRs to accelerate delivery, meet deadlines and execute against strategy. He believes these approaches benefit businesses and create more fulfilling work environments.
Allan is a keynote conference speaker and author of several books including "Succeeding with OKRs in Agile", "The Art of Agile Product Ownership" and "Business Patterns for Software Developers". He blogs at allankelly.net and can be contacted there or on Linkedin, https://www.linkedin.com/in/allankellynet/
Re-read Saturday News
We complete our re-read of the classic Coaching Agile Teams this week with a few final thoughts. I view Coaching Agile Teams as a tale of two themes. The first is a book of philosophy and the second is a how-to book full of techniques. The full value of this book requires two readings. The first time I read the book, I took the how-to path. This time the philosophies of agile coaching were more important to me than any individual technique.
Next week we start our re-read of Extraordinarily Badass Agile Coaching: The Journey from Beginner to Mastery and Beyond (Amazon Associate Link – buy your copy soon and start reading). This will be less of a re-read than it will be me trying to stay one or two chapters ahead because I am reading the book for the first time. We will begin with a few notes on the logistics of the read and then we will review the front matter.
Previous Installments
Week 1: Logistics and Introduction - https://bit.ly/3A1aNTe
Week 2: Will I Be A Good Coach - https://bit.ly/3nzDAHg
Week 3: Expect High Performance - https://bit.ly/3Rl4fFf
Week 4: Master Yourself - https://bit.ly/3zL8t2n
Week 5: Let Your Style Change - https://bit.ly/3Q8zHWa
Week 6: Coach as Coach-Mentor - https://bit.ly/3QLcSIi
Week 7: Coach as Facilitator - https://bit.ly/3AaP5KY
Week 8: Coach As Teacher - https://bit.ly/3AURGdL
Week 9: Coach As Problem Solver - https://bit.ly/3C06Gr7
Week 10: Coach As Conflict Navigator - https://bit.ly/3R6tmuc
Week 11: Coach As Collaboration Conductor - https://bit.ly/3fXoHOs
Week 12: Agile Coach Failure, Recovery, and Success Modes - https://bit.ly/3T0FluQ
Week 13: When Will I Get There? and It’s Your Journey - https://bit.ly/3MAe00v
Week 14: Final Thoughts - https://bit.ly/3z6zJaA
A quick advertisement:
Controlling work entry requires preparation and knowledge building to establish a path to control work entry (magic wands are normally not available), which is why Jeremy Willets and I have developed a work entry workshop. Interested? Email us at [email protected] or [email protected]
Next SPaMCAST
In SPaMCAST 727 we will discuss the assumptions behind Little’s Law and Neglected WIP. Some of the assumptions you can cheat on and still get valuable information.
We will also have a visit from Susan Parente who brings her Not A Scrumdamentalist column to the cast.