Libsyn Directory

SPaMCAST 753 - Hierarchies and Fatalism, Wall of Confusion, Essays and Conversations

Release Date: 04/30/2023

SPaMCAST 774 - Re-release SPaMCAST 436 - Incrementalism, UAT and Agile, and Systems Thinking

Software Process and Measurement Cast

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 774 is a re-release of SPaMCAST 436. We are on our annual holiday and will be back with new programs on October 22nd. For the next four weeks, we will feature shows from our archives. Today SPaMCAST 436 - Incrementalism, UAT and Agile, and Systems Thinking was released originally on April 3, 2017. I hope you will enjoy today’s show! The original introduction - The Software Process and Measurement Cast 436 features our essay titled, , in which we answer the question of whether the state and culture of the organization or team, can have a large...

SPaMCAST 773 - Continuous Improvement, Bass Guitars and Learning, Conversations and Essays

Software Process and Measurement Cast

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 773 will feature our essay on why as professionals we should strive to grow a little every day. I overheard a team lead complaining that their team did not need to do a retrospective, they were “darn near perfect.” The inference was that their time would be better spent doing rather than reflecting and thinking. Fixed mindsets (Review our re-read of Mindsets by Carol Dweck) are foreign to the philosophy of agile and quality. The comment hurt my heart. We will also have a visit from Jon M. Quigley who brings his Alpha and Omega of Product...

SPaMCAST 772 - New Engineering Managers, Don’t Be A Victim, A Conversation WIth Ahmed Wasfy

Software Process and Measurement Cast

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 772 features our interview with Ahmed Wasfy. We discuss the role of the engineering manager and how people learn to be engineering managers. Coming to grips with the new role requires learning new skills not just rehashed technical skills. Ahmed, advises new leaders to take control of their careers and not to be a victim. Ahmed is an experienced engineering leader, having led teams at Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. In addition to his day job, Ahmed also helps engineering managers become effective leaders through his coaching. Links Instagram: ...

SPaMCAST 771 - Critical Thinking An Indispensable Defense Science, Evolution and Maturity, Essays and Conversations

Software Process and Measurement Cast

To paraphrase Ghostbusters, critical thinking is the indispensable defense science of the next decade. Over the summer we have investigated the concept so we are better positioned to take part in a boisterous world. As decision-makers, the onus is on us to use critical thinking. Also, Jeremy Berriault joins bringing his QA Corner to the podcast. In this installment, Jeremy discusses the difference between maturity and evolution. Do agile organizations mature or evolve? Re-Read Saturday News We have spent the majority of the summer re-reading . While I didn't take the book to the beach,...

SPaMCAST 770 - Dojo, Slow Down For Learning, A Conversation With Jess Brock

Software Process and Measurement Cast

This week the Software Process and Measurement Cast 770 features my interview with Jess Brock. Jess and I talked about her new book, (the book is excellent but doesn’t really fit in your pocket), learning, and career pivots. Jess’s talk at Agile 2023 helped me reframe how I conceived of dojos as an intense learning environment, not a transformation technique. Jess’s Bio Jess is a dynamic coach, technologist, and author who has been involved in developing tech products since the mid-2000s. Jess attributes her diverse career experience as one of her greatest strengths...

SPaMCAST 768 - Teams, SaaS, Entrepreneurship, A Conversation with Phil Alves

Software Process and Measurement Cast

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 768 features our interview with Phil Alves, CEO of DevSquad. Phil and I covered a wide range of topics starting with how he structures teams to perform in dynamic environments and culminating in a discussion of SaaS and entrepreneurship. Software development of any stripe is a team sport; either get it right or suffer the consequences. Phil describes himself as a SaaS Aficionado! He builds products for bootstrapped founders, fast-growing startups, and big enterprises at DevSquad. His SaaS company, DevStats, helps product and engineering...

SPaMCAST 767 - Critical Thinking, Research and Evidence, User Stories, Conversations and Essays

Software Process and Measurement Cast

In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 767, we continue our summer dive into critical thinking. In this installment, we consider research and evidence. The discussion of research and evidence ties into this week's installment of Re-Read Saturday (Chapter 4 of which is about credibility). Research and evidence provide credibility and that is not always a good thing. Tony Timbol brings his To Tell A Story column to the podcast. In this installment, Mr. Timbol continues to unravel the mystery of the agile requirements and user stories. Re-Read Saturday News Credibility is the...

SPaMCAST 766 - It Is All About Teams, A Conversation With Ben Johnson

Software Process and Measurement Cast

This week the Software Process and Measurement Cast 766 features our interview with Ben Johnson, Founder of Particle41. Ben and I discuss the importance of teams, communication, and dependability. Ben Johnson, founder of Particle41, is a serial Entrepreneur with a track record of success and is an active investor. He is a results-driven leader, skilled in managing high-functioning teams for exceptional outcomes. Ben cultivates collaboration, motivation, and effective communication. As a leader, he aligns team efforts with organizational goals and drives innovation. Ben delivers complex...

SPaMCAST 765 - Authority, Meetings and More Meetings, Essays and Conversations

Software Process and Measurement Cast

In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 765, we will continue with our summer theme on critical thinking by discussing authority. When deciding what to believe, the authority we place on the source has a significant impact. Authority bias is the name for this cognitive bias. We will also have a visit from the one and only Susan Parente, who brings her Not A Scrumdamentalist column to the podcast. In this installment, we discuss why meetings seem to be the only mechanism for making decisions. Re-Read Saturday News And now for something completely different…is both the title of the...

SPaMCAST 764 - Successful Independent Consulting, A Conversation with Johanna Rothman

Software Process and Measurement Cast

In Software Process and Measurement Cast 764 we feature my conversation with Johanna Rothman. We discussed her new book Successful Independent Consulting. Well, we started there and then hit topics like personal value and the impact of success. This might be the eleventy-first conversation I have had with Johanna, and each time I look forward to our time together with anticipation. They are always like attending a master class. Buy a copy of Successful Independent Consulting. Available everywhere including: Leanpub: Amazon: Johanna’s Bio: Johanna Rothman,...

More Episodes

SPaMCAST 753 features our essay on the impact of hierarchies on engagement and fatalism. Like most things in life, the relationship is not straightforward. Hierarchies giveth and taketh away. If you don’t get the balance right you can say goodbye to engagement, innovation, and fun at work.

We also have a visit from Tony Timbol who brings his insights on the life cycle of user stories to the podcast in his To Tell A Story column. In this installment, we talk about the “Wall of Confusion.” When stories are created and then tossed over the wall to another team even high-performing teams slip into the slow lane.

Re-read Saturday News!

This week we re-read Chapter 4 of Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais. The title of Chapter 4 is Static Team Topologies. One of the underlying messages in the chapter is that team topologies should not be static. However, not being static isn’t the same as playing musical chairs.

Buy a copy and read along! - Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow

Previous Installments:

Week 1: Front Matter and Logistics – http://bit.ly/3nHGkW4

Week 2: The Problem With Org Charts – https://bit.ly/3zGGyQf

Week 3: Conway’s Law and Why It Matters - https://bit.ly/3muTVQE

Week 4: Team First Thinking - https://bit.ly/3H9xRSC

Week 5: Static Team Topologies - https://bit.ly/40Q6eF2

Next SPaMCAST

SPaMCAST 754 introduces Keis Kostaqi. Keis is a scrum master and coach. She will bring a Scrumban flavor to the podcast with a column on agile teams with complicated work input patterns. Keis begins her column with a bit of an introduction and a bucket load of experienced-based advice.

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