Software Process and Measurement Cast
Interviews, essays, facts, and tips about agile and lean agile development, process improvement, and measurement in delivery of value!
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SPaMCAST 704 - Leadership and Diving For Golf Balls, A Conversation With Stuart Leo
05/22/2022
SPaMCAST 704 - Leadership and Diving For Golf Balls, A Conversation With Stuart Leo
In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 704, we talk leadership with Stuart Leo Founder & CEO of Waymaker.io. One of the reasons I enjoy interviews is that I often stumble across great stories. Stuart’s entrepreneurial origin story includes golf balls, icy Tasmanian lakes, and scuba divers -- I will remember this story until I die. Stuart is a global thinker in strategy, systems, and leadership development. As the founder of Waymaker.io he has led the creation of Waymaker’s Leadership Curve - a revolutionary way of building clarity, alignment, and remarkable results for any organization. LinkedIn Company Website Blog Twitter @stuartleo Re-read Saturday News This week’s chapter of opens with a quote from The Dalai Lama linking effective self-discipline with awareness of consequences. The chapter, titled Awareness, speaks to me of redemption. Awareness is a precursor to shedding helplessness and ignites the desire to act. I have spent a large part of my career participating, influencing, and/or leading change. Struggle is a common thread in nearly all of these efforts when entrenched leaders push back against ideas that bubble up from teams or other levels of the organization. Whether from fear or myriad other reasons, there are consequences for everyone involved. Learned helplessness, as noted in Chapter 7, or a dawning awareness that there are other possibilities creates an impetus for change. Whether change creates better processes, products, relationships, or changes in the workforce (that means people leaving) boils down to agency. Remember to buy a copy and read along. Amazon Affiliate LInk: Previous Entries Week 1: – Week 2: – Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5: - Week 6: - Week 7: s - Week 8: - Next SPaMCAST In the SPaMCAST 705 we define the term flow. I listened to a conversation last week. The term flow was used 30ish times in 30 minutes. Each use of the term meant something different. Let's draw a line in the sand to improve communication. We will also have a visit from Susan Parente who brings another fabulous installment of Not A Scrumdamentalist to the podcast.
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SPaMCAST 703 - Commitment, Humans and Automation, Essays and Conversations
05/15/2022
SPaMCAST 703 - Commitment, Humans and Automation, Essays and Conversations
In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 703, we wrestle with one of the basics of agile. What is the power of making a commitment? Making and keeping commitments are core components of professional behavior. It is a promise to perform. Whether Agile or Waterfall, commitments are used to manage software projects. They are used to drive the behavior of teams. We also have a visit from Jon M Quigley who brings his Alpha and Omega of Product Development column to the podcast. Re-read Saturday News Chapter 7 is one of my favorites in . One of the chronic problems I help teams deal with is the perceived need to start everything that comes to them, generating huge amounts of WIP. Many of the items sit in an on-hold status until something else happens. The iron-willed self-discipline of starting is great at creating on-hold items and crap at getting work done. There is a gap in understanding the impact of the consequences. Remember to buy a copy and read along. Amazon Affiliate LInk: Previous Entries Week 1: – Week 2: – Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5: - Week 6: - Week 7: s - Week 8: - Next SPaMCAST In the SPaMCAST 704, we talk leadership with Stuart Leo Founder & CEO at Waymaker.io. Leadership is incredibly important and requires constant attention.
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SPaMCAST 702 - Geek Boss and Leadership, A Conversation With Matthew Stibbe
05/08/2022
SPaMCAST 702 - Geek Boss and Leadership, A Conversation With Matthew Stibbe
In SPaMCAST 702, Matthew Stibbe and I talk about the impact of leadership when building a technology-driven business. Mathew shared stories about learning to type, how he has reinvented himself numerous times, and why he blogs at . Note: I have not edited out the parts of the interview just before I welcome Matthew to the podcast. Mr. Stibbe told a couple of very endearing stories that help set the tone for the entire interview. He agreed to allow me to share them. MATTHEW STIBBE is a serial entrepreneur, marketing maven, writer, pilot, and wine enthusiast. But not necessarily in that order. He created marketing strategies, content, and campaigns for clients including Microsoft, Google, LinkedIn, and HP and contributed to Wired, Forbes, and Popular Science. Currently, he is CEO at Articulate Marketing, a UK marketing agency specializing in the technology sector. Also, his geek credentials are strong. Previously, he was founder and CEO at Intelligent Games, a 70-person computer games company where he designed games for LEGO and produced two games based on Dune. Matthew also has his commercial pilots license and an advanced wine diploma. (Have you seen the film Somm? Like that!) At some point in the previous millennium, he studied history at Oxford University. These days, he blogs about modern management at www.geekboss. com, about marketing at www. articulatemarketing.com and wine at www.vincarta.com Re-read Saturday News This week, we talk about Healthy Constraints in . Many years (think decades) ago a friend of mine, Danny Bailus, had a cool mini-bike. He rode it around our neighborhood in Howland, Ohio all summer. It was the third coolest (text me the first two) thing that held my attention that summer. That was until Danny decided that it did not go fast enough and removed the governor from the small engine. He removed the constraint from the system and the engine burned out. His father was not very happy, Danny was not very happy, and I was very happy I was not riding it when it happened. In this chapter, Mr. Benson discusses the difference between healthy and unhealthy constraints. Remember to buy a copy and read along. Amazon Affiliate LInk: Previous Entries Week 1: – Week 2: – Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5: - Week 6: - Week 7: s - Next SPaMCAST We continue on the basics with an essay on Teams and team design. We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley who will regale us with tales of the Alpha and Omega of Product Development.
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SPaMCAST 701 - When The Daily Scrum Doesn’t Make Sense, Agile Requirements, Essays and Conversation
05/01/2022
SPaMCAST 701 - When The Daily Scrum Doesn’t Make Sense, Agile Requirements, Essays and Conversation
With SPaMCAST 701 we go back to basics. Whether you call that quick meeting to coordinate the day the Daily Scrum, Stand-up, or a huddle is not material. Daily coordination is phenomenally powerful and useful unless it isn’t. Just making teams meet without benefit is a really bad idea. What else can be done? We also have a visit from Tony Timbol with another installment from his Tell A Story Column. In this installment, Tony discusses agile requirements. Getting work done in agile is not just user stories and a cloud of dust. Re-read Saturday News The chapter of this week is titled, Creating An Economy. In the past decade, certain words have become toxic. Words like process, waterfall, and output have become taboo in certain corners of software-related industries. Add the word productivity to the mix and many people would grab torches and pitchforks. The vilification of these words (or any words – it is sort of like burning books in my mind) makes it difficult to talk about systemic improvement. As a Kanban practitioner, I focus on flow. But not just flow, I advise my clients that they should keep their eye on continuously improving the flow. Continuous improvement yields better outcomes. Organizations, teams, and individuals that overextend and exceed their WIP limit are not improving their delivery of outcomes but rather in Jim Benson’s words “disrespecting your ability to create amazing things.” More bluntly they are neither effective nor efficient. Remember to buy a copy and read along. Amazon Affiliate LInk: Previous Entries Week 1: – Week 2: – Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5: - Week 6: - Next SPaMCAST Next week, Matthew Stibbe and I talk about the impact of leadership when building a technology-driven business.
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SPaMCAST 700 - AI Today Will Not Be The AI Of Tomorrow, A Discussion With Slater Victoroff
04/24/2022
SPaMCAST 700 - AI Today Will Not Be The AI Of Tomorrow, A Discussion With Slater Victoroff
SPaMCAST 700 features our interview with Slater Victoroff. Slater suggests that what we think of as AI today will be overtaken by human-machine partnerships. He uses the metaphor of a bionic arm. AI is the future and that future is not very far away. Slater Victoroff is the Founder and CTO of indico data solutions, an Enterprise AI solution for unstructured content with an emphasis on text and NLP. He has been building machine learning solutions for startups, governments, and Fortune 100 companies for the past 5 years and is a frequent speaker at AI conferences. Twitter: Website: Re-read Saturday News The chapters of this week and last are interrelated. Last week we focused on multitasking. For those with a short memory, human multitasking is in the same category as unicorns and shiny vampires: a fun concept but dangerous to believe in. This week we deal with context switching. Because humans don’t have multiple cores and processors instead of multitasking we bounce between things. Each bounce requires shifting context – this takes time and effort. Remember that the author established earlier that things that are not done are sitting in the back of your mind sucking up capacity and an occasional conscious thought (another contest switch). Remember to buy a copy and read along. Amazon Affiliate LInk: Previous Entries Week 1: – Week 2: – Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5: - Next SPaMCAST Back to basics, whether you call that quick meeting to coordinate the day the Daily Scrum, Stand-up or a huddle is not material. Daily coordination is phenomenally powerful and useful unless it isn’t. Just making teams meet without benefit is a really bad idea. What else can be done? We will also have a visit from Tony Timbol with another installment from his Tell A Story Column.
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SPaMCAST 699 - Using AI To Unlock The Potential Of Humanity, A Discussion With Eric Daimler
04/17/2022
SPaMCAST 699 - Using AI To Unlock The Potential Of Humanity, A Discussion With Eric Daimler
This week we feature our interview with Eric Daimler, PhD. Eric and I discussed how AI can unlock the potential of humanity. Dr. Eric Daimler is an authority in Artificial Intelligence with over 20 years of experience in the field as an entrepreneur, executive, investor, technologist, and policy advisor. Daimler has co-founded six technology companies that have done pioneering work in fields ranging from software systems to statistical arbitrage. Daimler is the author of the forthcoming book "The Coming Composability: The roadmap for using technology to solve society’s biggest problems." A frequent speaker, lecturer, and commentator, he works to empower communities and citizens to leverage AI for a more sustainable, secure, and prosperous future. As a Presidential Innovation Fellow during the Obama Administration, Daimler helped drive the agenda for U.S. leadership in research, commercialization, and public adoption of AI. He has also served as Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor of Software Engineering in Carnegie Mellon’s School of Computer Science. His academic research focuses on the intersection of Machine Learning, Computational Linguistics, and Network Science (Graph Theory). He has a specialization in public policy and economics, helped launch Carnegie Mellon’s Silicon Valley Campus, and founded its Entrepreneurial Management program. A frequent keynote speaker, he has presented at venues including the engineering schools of MIT, Stanford, and Harvard. Daimler studied at Stanford University, the University of Washington-Seattle, and Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned his PhD in its School of Computer Science. Contact Information Twitter: @ead LinkedIn: Website: Re-read Saturday News Multitasking is the first or second greatest LIE in the modern business world. The best description of multitasking would include thrash, waste, and hubris. The problem is that EVERYONE thinks they are special and can multitask their way to the effective delivery of value. Chapter 3 of blasts away at multitasking (another take on the topic from 2015: Multitasking Yourself Away From Efficiency | Software Process and Measurement ). Multitasking is bad, don’t do it. Remember to buy a copy and read along. Amazon Affiliate LInk: Previous Entries Week 1: – Week 2: – Week 3: - Week 4: - Upcoming Events: Final Call! Free Webinar When Prioritization Goes Bad April 19, 2022 11 AM EDT to 1230 EDT Next SPaMCAST Next week for SPaMCAST 700 we will feature our interview with Slater Victoroff. Slater presents an alternate definition for AI. Compare and contrast to Dr. Daimler’s definition?
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SPaMCAST 698 - Team Leads in Agile Teams, A Conversation WIth Susan Parente
04/10/2022
SPaMCAST 698 - Team Leads in Agile Teams, A Conversation WIth Susan Parente
This week Susan Parente and I had an extraordinary conversation about team leads in agile and leadership. In some cases, the role of a team leader is treated as if it were superfluous to requirements in other cases it is a tool to delegate work to people in an effort to subvert self-organization and when organizations get it right the role is a vehicle to unlocking the capabilities of teams. Contact Susan at or on LinkedIn at Re-read Saturday News Week 3 of our re-read of by Jim Benson talks about the thrill of getting things done. People with a lot of WIP look for more work, things they can grab and complete to feel good about themselves. I am as guilty as anyone else. Sometimes when items on my shortlist get stuck instead of breaking the items down into smaller chunks to progress the work I will grab a less valuable task and just do it so I can check something off. Susan Parente, who you just heard from in one of her great “Not A Scrumdamentalist” podcast columns described the same scenario. Remember to buy a copy and read along. Amazon Affiliate LInk: Previous Entries Week 1: – Week 2: – Week 3: - https://bit.ly/3usMiLm Upcoming Events: Free Webinar When Prioritization Goes Bad April 19, 2022 11 AM EDT to 1230 EDT Special Call to Action If you are a team lead I need your help! I believe the TL role is the least understood and least talked about in agile. It is time to change that. I am working on testing a model of TL behaviors in agile. I need examples of REAL TL job descriptions to map into the model. The glittering generalities that you find on the web don’t match what really happens in the real world. I do not need anything sensitive like salary or product details. I will happily share the first cut of the model with anyone that helps and sponsor a virtual meeting to discuss the model with all participants. If you have a TL job description you can share please email me at Next SPaMCAST Next week we will feature our interview with Matthew Stibbe. Matt and I discussed how leadership (or the lack thereof) contributes to projects in wide a range of environments (software and marketing).
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SPaMCAST 697 - Cultivating Transformations: A Leader's Guide to Connecting the Soulful and the Practical, A Conversation With Jarenda London
04/03/2022
SPaMCAST 697 - Cultivating Transformations: A Leader's Guide to Connecting the Soulful and the Practical, A Conversation With Jarenda London
This week we talked with Jardena London. We discussed her book . Being soulful sounds fluffy, but isn’t. It is critical for delivering lasting change. Jardena is a Business Transformation Consultant, Author, Keynote Speaker, and a Certified Facilitator of Dare to Lead; Brene Brown’s groundbreaking training program for organizations based on creating courageous workplaces. Jardena is also the Founder of [email protected] which is focusing on leading a movement to create workplaces that nourish our souls and exude positive energy. Her recent book, “l” has been described as “the book you buy and carry around with you everywhere.” Her most recent successes have been transforming a large legacy organization into a modern workplace with breakout results. She also speaks at corporate events and on stages worldwide on the positive effects of organizational transformation. Jardena has also served as co-founder and CEO of Rosetta Technology Group since 1997. Websites and Contact Information LinkedIn: Upcoming Events: Free Webinar When Prioritization Goes Bad April 19, 2022 11 AM EDT to 1230 EDT Special Call to Action If you are a team lead I need your help! I believe the TL role is the least understood and least talked about in agile. It is time to change that. I am working on testing a model of TL behaviors in agile. I need examples of REAL TL job descriptions to map into the model. The glittering generalities that you find on the web don’t match what really happens in the real world. I do not need anything sensitive like salary or product details. I will happily share the first cut of the model with anyone that helps and sponsor a virtual meeting to discuss the model with all participants. If you have TL job description you can share please email me at Next SPaMCAST We are finally going to tackle the difference between prioritization and sequencing. Sequencing is the forgotten cousin of prioritization, HOWEVER, just because you know the priority isn’t enough because if you don't get the order right value will be lost. We will also have a visit from Susan “Not A Scrumdamentalist” Parente.
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SPaMCAST 696 - Why Limit WIP, Re-Read Saturday Introduction, Relative Time, Conversations and Essays
03/27/2022
SPaMCAST 696 - Why Limit WIP, Re-Read Saturday Introduction, Relative Time, Conversations and Essays
We began the Re-Read Saturday feature in 2014 with a re-read of John Kotter’s classic Leading Change. The list of books we have re-read is quite long -- I am going to have to create a list. All that said, last week a person that regularly comments on the podcast indicated they really did not know what Re-Read Saturday was all about. So today to commemorate spring in the northern hemisphere (and the fact that it snowed) and the kick-off of the latest re-read (Why Limit WIP by Jim Benson) I am going to share an audio version of this week's entry. As we always say, buy a copy of the book and read Jim Benson’s (buy a copy using our Amazon Affiliate link get reading) along with us. The written version: This week we also have a visit from Jeremy Berriault, who brings his QA Corner to the podcast. Jeremy and I explored the difference between relative and absolute time. Upcoming Events: Free Webinar When Prioritization Goes Bad https://www.greatpro.org/Webinar-Live-Register?id=1954 April 19, 2022 11 AM EDT to 1230 EDT Next SPaMCAST Next week we will talk with Jardena London. We will discuss her book Cultivating Transformations - A Leader's Guide to Connecting the Soulful and the Practical. We will also explore why being soulful in the workplace is critical for facilitating change.
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SPaMCAST 695 - Agile In A Startup, A Conversation With Julianna Lamb
03/20/2022
SPaMCAST 695 - Agile In A Startup, A Conversation With Julianna Lamb
This week we talk to Julianna Lamb, co-founder and CTO at Stytch about agile in start-ups, hybrid working, how to keep a product backlog under control, grow a business in the early 2020’s, and more. Julianna is the Co-Founder and CTO of Stytch, a platform for user infrastructure and passwordless authentication. She was previously a software engineer at Strava and Plaid and an early product hire at Very Good Security. Originally from Idaho, Julianna studied computer science and history at Stanford. A former professional figure skater, she started racing triathlons in college and is now an Ironman triathlete. Contact Data: Website: Twitter: j LinkedIn: Re-Read Saturday News Today we complete our re-read of Agile Conversations by Douglas Squirrel and Jeffrey Fredrick touching on the Conclusion, Further Resources, and our concluding notes. Next week we will begin re-reading Jim Benson’s (buy a copy using our Amazon Affiliate link get reading) as we run a poll to select the next of books for the series. Previous Installments: Week 1: - Week 2: - Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5 - Week 6 - Week 7 - Week 8 – Week 9 - Week 10 - Week 11 - Next SPaMCAST Next week, are sequencing and prioritization different sides to the same coin or are they different coins entirely. Is a keystone topic when wrestling with work entry. We will also have a visit from Jeremy Berriault and the QA Corner.
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SPaMCAST 694 - The Team Lead Role In Agile, Time, Essays and Conversations
03/13/2022
SPaMCAST 694 - The Team Lead Role In Agile, Time, Essays and Conversations
Organizational design often collides with getting work done; generating friction that causes all manner of problems. No one goes out of their way to make things difficult, however poor operating metaphors and one size fits all solutions are never optimal. There is a way for agile and team leaders to coexist, but can you take that path? Also this week, Jon M Quigley and his Alpha and Omega of Product Development column make time for the cast. In this installment, we talk about time (including a few time-related puns). Re-Read Saturday News The accountability conversation is the fifth and last conversation addressed in our re-read of . In Chapter 7 the authors define accountability as “being obligated to render an account of what you have done and why.” Next week we will cover the conclusions and some final thoughts. Then we will have a quick interlude re-reading Jim Benson’s while we run a poll to select the next books. Week 1: - Week 2: - Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5 - Week 6 - Week 7 - Week 8 – Week 9 - Week 10 - Next SPaMCAST Next week, Julianna Lamb, co-founder and CTO at STYTCH. We talked agile, start-ups, security, and more.
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SPaMCAST 693 - Driving Value With AI, An Interview With Prateek Joshi
03/06/2022
SPaMCAST 693 - Driving Value With AI, An Interview With Prateek Joshi
Today we speak with Prateek Joshi. Prateek and I talked about the definition of AI, machine learning, and an approach to using AI in the real world. AI is in your future and it won't be the Matrix or Skywarn (or will it). Prateek Joshi is the founder of Plutoshift and a published author of 13 books on AI. He has been featured in publications such as Forbes, CNBC, TechCrunch, and Bloomberg. You can visit to learn more about him. Plutoshift: Re-Read Saturday News We had a bit of home repair this week and I did not get the Week 10 of our re-read of completed (thanks to Laurie and Todd for use of their condo). We will be back next week. Week 1: - Week 2: - Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5 - Week 6 - Week 7 - Week 8 – Week 9 - Next SPaMCAST Next week, we revisit the role of the team lead and the concept of self-organizing teams. Can they co-exist? We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley who brings his Alpha and Omega of Product Development column to the podcast.
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SPaMCAST 692 - Continuous Improvement Versus Process Improvement, Agile Requirements, Essays and Conversation
02/27/2022
SPaMCAST 692 - Continuous Improvement Versus Process Improvement, Agile Requirements, Essays and Conversation
In SPaMCAST 692 we discuss Process Improvement as a phrase or perhaps even a mantra. Uttering the phrase evokes all sorts of baggage and cognitive biases that affect behaviors, not always for the better. What are the listeners of the Software Process and Measurement Cast to do? We also have a visit from Tony TImbol who brings his “To Tell A Story” column to the Podcast. We dive headlong into the tangled world of user stories and agile requirements. Tony also announces his new ebook on agile requirements. Get your own copy! Re-Read Saturday News Week 9 of our re-read of is about commitment. Over the years I have observed that there are some people who are very committed to adopting a new way of working, some people that pay lip service, and others who flat-out resist. This is obviously a continuum. Update on last week’s experiment: I was not able to leverage the concepts of joint design directly. I did use coherence busting techniques again (we are back to situational context). I am going to try again this week and I am also going to experiment with calculating the ratio of defined important words to total important words in conversations that people are trying to generate commitment. Amazon Affiliate Link Week 1: - Week 2: - Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5 - Week 6 - Week 7 - Week 8 – Week 9 - Next SPaMCAST More AI with a conversation with Prateek Joshi. Mr. Joshi and I talked about the definition of AI, machine learning, and how to test AI (this was just the tip of the iceberg). AI is in your future and it won't be the Matrix or Skywarn (or will it).
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SPaMCAST 691 - AI and Estimation, The End Of Software Estimators, An Interview with Kevin McKeel
02/20/2022
SPaMCAST 691 - AI and Estimation, The End Of Software Estimators, An Interview with Kevin McKeel
In SPaMCAST 69, Kevin McKeel talks about using neurolinguistics to aid in software estimation tools. Is this the end of the world for the software estimating profession or the beginning of a golden age? Probably both, listen and draw your own conclusions. Kevin’s Bio Mr. Kevin McKeel has over 25 years of experience in software cost estimation. He is a CCEA and SAFe Architect and received the prestigious 2021 Technical Achievement of the Year award from ICEAA related to the research of automated software sizing using AI and NLP. Mr. McKeel holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (Finance, ‘89) from James Madison University and a Master’s in Business Administration (Decision Systems, ’92) from The George Washington University. LinkedIn Website: Re-Read Saturday News Week 8 of our re-read of concludes our read of Chapter 5 addressing the ‘Why Conversation’. This week we spent time tackling the concepts of joint design and urging organizations to train team leads in decision making. They are not second class citizens My experiment of the week: Last week I proposed the experiment of creating a position-interest chart during the week. I actually used the technique to help frame an essay for the Software Process and Measurement Podcast within 12 hours of proposing the experiment. I also used the ideas in the approach to reframing several discussions (looking for the positions behind stated positions) during the week. This week I will try to find a scenario to apply the concepts of joint design (no eggs will be harmed). Week 1: - Week 2: - Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5 - Week 6 - Week 7 - Week 8 - Next SPaMCAST What would you call a person with little training, a lot of responsibility, and little to no real authority? This is not a Dad Joke. I suggest the answer is often a team lead. Also, Mr. Tony Timbol is back to talk about user stories in his To Tell A Story column.
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SPaMCAST 690 - I Don’t Want To Be Measured, QA Strategies and Agile, Essays and Conversations
02/13/2022
SPaMCAST 690 - I Don’t Want To Be Measured, QA Strategies and Agile, Essays and Conversations
This week we revisit the age-old statements, “I don't want to be measured” and its alter ego, “management will use metrics against me.” While often stated as if they are questions, both are positions. We weave in two recent techniques from our Re-read of Agile Conversations to consider the interests behind the statements Also, Jeremy Berriault weighs in on the need for testing strategies in agile on this edition of this QA Corner. Re-Read Saturday News Week 7 of our re-read of begins Chapter 5 addressing the ‘Why Conversation’. Like the ‘Fear Conversation’, we will approach this in two parts; focusing this week on two areas, positions and interests, and inquiry and advocacy. We will tackle joint design next week. My experiment of the week: I set out to create a fear matrix – that sounds like a movie title. I failed, BUT more importantly, I was able to use the fear matrix approach as a structure for a retrospective. It worked well. The idea of exposing and mitigating fears shifted perspectives nicely. Interestingly, what was hard was tying the fears and mitigations to an espoused norm. In conversations afterward, it became apparent that it is hard to admit that your behavior is or was at odds with the norms of the team and organization. It will be worth another conversation to make sure the link is clear. Next week, I am going to explore building a position-interest chart. Week 1: - Week 2: - Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5 - Week 6 - Week 7 - Next SPaMCAST Next week Kevin McKeel will visit the SPaMCAST to talk about AI and software estimation tools. Is this the end of the world for the software estimating profession or the beginning of a golden age?
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SPaMCAST 689 - AI and Process Improvement, A Conversation With Prabhjot Singh
02/06/2022
SPaMCAST 689 - AI and Process Improvement, A Conversation With Prabhjot Singh
Prabhjot Singh and I talk about AI using AI to improve the flow of work and the delivery of value. AI, however you define it, is in your future. You need to be ready! Mr. Singh’s bio: Prabhjot Singh is a serial entrepreneur who has started multiple for-profit, social enterprise, and non-profit ventures. He serves as President and CEO of Pyze, the most recent company he founded to enable the world’s largest enterprises to improve business operations through AI-driven Process Intelligence and Analytics. He has over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and product management. He previously co-founded Pixatel Systems, a social enterprise that utilizes mobile computing to deploy apps and e-Learning solutions to millions of users. LinkedIn: Twitter: Company Website: https://www.pyze.com/ Re-Read Saturday News Week 6 of our re-read of continues on Chapter 4: The Fear Conversation. We discussed two of the three major concepts in Chapter 4 last week, but we did not consider the fear conversation and more specifically the fear chart. Many years ago I worked with a manager, Rich Hisrich at BancSystems/EDS. I was the QA manager at the site. It was through my interaction with RIch that I learned the value of whiteboards and visualization. The fear chart is a visualization tool I can see having great value. My experiment of the week: I am going to double down and commit to creating a fear chart. Whether an opportunity for a fear conversation presents itself, we shall see. Week 1: - Week 2: - Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5 - Week 6 - Next SPaMCAST Next week we continue an essay refining how we are using Flow Metrics in 2022 to … manage flow (surprise) rather than micromanaging tasks or kidding ourselves with relative sizing techniques. We will also have a visit from Jeremy Berriault and his QA Corner.
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SPaMCAST 688 - Flow Metrics Not Velocity, TIme and Work Entry - Complexity, Essays and Conversations
01/30/2022
SPaMCAST 688 - Flow Metrics Not Velocity, TIme and Work Entry - Complexity, Essays and Conversations
Continuous improvement through inspecting and adapting is a core tenant of an agile mindset, which dovetails well with every executive’s need to deliver the most value possible. Measurement is an important tool to help teams and organizations ask the right questions at the right time. Flow metrics, not burndowns and velocity, need to be a big part of any IT organization's approach to measurement. We also have a visit from Jon M Quigley who brings his Alpha and Omega of Product Development column to the podcast. Jon discusses the complicated relationship between time, work entry, and promises. Have you checked out The Open Transformation Playbooks Martin Foster discussed last week? If not, you are missing something important. The Open Transformation Playbooks is an initiative to build an open, remixable, body of knowledge for agile organizational transformation. Re-Read Saturday News Week 5 of our re-read of tackles Chapter 4: The Fear Conversation. Fear has a significant impact on what we think and how we behave. The changes that fear drives don’t stop at the individual, the behavior changes ripple through organizations. My experiment of the week: Update on last week’s experiment. I was able to use some of the ideas from the trust conversation this week. I actually used the statement, “the story I am telling myself is . . .” in a real conversation twice. The first time it felt contrived; it is much easier to state something as fact than to admit it might not be true. For both conversations, I had created a conversation analysis sheet to record the conversation. I need conversation analysis practice. Also, both conversations would have gone better with a copy of the trust ladder close at hand. This week’s experiment. I would like to try to generate a fear chart and have a fear conversation. I am still considering what type of job aids will be most useful. Week 1: - Week 2: - Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5 - Next SPaMCAST Next week Prabhjot Singh and I talk about AI. If you are a developer or entrepreneur, AI (however you define it) is in your future. You need to be ready! Mr. Singh is a serial entrepreneur who has started multiple for-profit, social enterprise, and non-profit ventures. He serves as President and CEO of Pyze. Continuous improvement through inspecting and adapting is a core tenant of an agile mindset, which dovetails well with every executive’s need to deliver the most value possible. Measurement is an important tool to help teams and organizations ask the right questions at the right time. Flow metrics, not burndowns and velocity, need to be a big part of any IT organization's approach to measurement. We also have a visit from Jon M Quigley who brings his Alpha and Omega of Product Development column to the podcast. Jon discusses the complicated relationship between time, work entry, and promises. Have you checked out The Open Transformation Playbooks Martin Foster discussed last week? If not, you are missing something important. The Open Transformation Playbooks is an initiative to build an open, remixable, body of knowledge for agile organizational transformation. Re-Read Saturday News Week 5 of our re-read of tackles Chapter 4: The Fear Conversation. Fear has a significant impact on what we think and how we behave. The changes that fear drives don’t stop at the individual, the behavior changes ripple through organizations. My experiment of the week: Update on last week’s experiment. I was able to use some of the ideas from the trust conversation this week. I actually used the statement, “the story I am telling myself is . . .” in a real conversation twice. The first time it felt contrived; it is much easier to state something as fact than to admit it might not be true. For both conversations, I had created a conversation analysis sheet to record the conversation. I need conversation analysis practice. Also, both conversations would have gone better with a copy of the trust ladder close at hand. This week’s experiment. I would like to try to generate a fear chart and have a fear conversation. I am still considering what type of job aids will be most useful. Week 1: - Week 2: - Week 3: - Week 4: - Week 5 - Next SPaMCAST Next week Prabhjot Singh and I talk about AI. If you are a developer or entrepreneur, AI (however you define it) is in your future. You need to be ready! Mr. Singh is a serial entrepreneur who has started multiple for-profit, social enterprise, and non-profit ventures. He serves as President and CEO of Pyze.
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SPaMCAST 687 - 2021 Business Agility Report, No Cats Were Actually Thrown, A Conversation with Martin Foster
01/23/2022
SPaMCAST 687 - 2021 Business Agility Report, No Cats Were Actually Thrown, A Conversation with Martin Foster
Today we begin Year 16 with an interview, discussion, conversation -- call it what you like -- with Martin Foster. We covered a ton of ground, including whether the goal of any organization should be to be more agile and the 2021 Business Agility Report. During one segment we discussed the statement, “the impediments are the path.” A wonderful and thought-provoking start to Year 16! ANNOUNCING: The Open Transformation Playbooks: A (very new) initiative to build an open, remixable, body of knowledge for agile organizational transformation. To accompany this episode Martin and TeamForm have launched the first tranche of content. Martin’s Contact Information: 2021 Business Agility Report: TeamForm: Email: LinkedIn: Martin’s Bio Martin is a senior consultant at TeamForm. His passion is working with organizations that are transforming themselves to cross-functional team structures, with all the nuances, benefits, and challenges that this brings. With his past experience as a product owner and engineer, he enjoys bringing data into the people conversation. Re-Read Saturday News Week 4 of our re-read of tackles Chapter 3: The Trust Conversation. Trust is a requirement for people to work together toward a common goal. Misters Squirrel and Fredrick define trust as aligned stories. My experiment of the week: First an update on my experiment from last week. I found that I need to create a job aid for conversational analysis in order to practice the R’s from Chapter 2. I must admit that not preparing for conversational analysis creates a scenario where I am looking back and trying to remember conversations, which makes them more susceptible to bias. This week I am going to create a job aid for trust conversations, then find two or three scenarios to practice. Practice will include the R’s from Chapter 2. Week 1: - Week 2: - Week 3: - Week 4: - Next SPaMCAST Next week our first essay of Year 16 with thoughts on flow metrics and why focusing on flow is powerful, important, and causes people to run around like their hair is on fire. Hopefully, we can dampen the blaze down a bit.
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SPaMCAST 686 - Pitchforks and Torches, Work In 2022, A Panel Discussion
01/16/2022
SPaMCAST 686 - Pitchforks and Torches, Work In 2022, A Panel Discussion
Today marks the end of year 15 on the Software Process and Measurement Cast, and we are closing the year with pitchfork and torches. We discussing the world of knowledge work in 2022. Leadership, principles, value, and values take center stage. Panels like this make me want to do panels every week!
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SPaMCAST 685 - What We Learned In 2021, A Panel Discussion
01/09/2022
SPaMCAST 685 - What We Learned In 2021, A Panel Discussion
One of the fun parts of programming the Software Process and Measurement Cast is getting diverse groups of people together to chat. In this edition of the podcast, Jon M Quigley, Jeremy Willets, Jeremy Berriault, Kevin Rush, Susan Parente, and myself convened to discuss what we learned about work in 2021. The last few years have been extraordinary -- both good and bad. When you live in times like these it is incumbent on all of us to learn from them.
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SPaMCAST 684 - Meta Cast and Product Owners and Work Entry, Essays and Conversations
01/02/2022
SPaMCAST 684 - Meta Cast and Product Owners and Work Entry, Essays and Conversations
The new year evokes both retrospection and expectations for the future. 2021 was quite the year; SPaMCAST 635 marked the beginning of our 15th year of publishing with a conversation with Johanna Rothman. In late August I lost a podcast . . . (a summer rerun). The year ended with my 12-year-old mixer going to the electronics recycler. Even with all of the hassle, I have been able to do three great interviews and two related panel discussions that will round out year 15 and kick-off year 16.
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SPaMCAST 683 - Team Topologies, A Conversation With Ben Woznicki
12/26/2021
SPaMCAST 683 - Team Topologies, A Conversation With Ben Woznicki
Ben Woznicki and I talk about the book and ideas inside the covers of Team Topologies. Ben provides a great deal of advice on creating teams that are fit for purpose. Ben and I have worked together, hosted a video podcast together, and more -- it is a great conversation.
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SPaMCAST 682 - Prioritization Outside Your Span of Control, Getting Leadership Right, Conversations and Essays
12/19/2021
SPaMCAST 682 - Prioritization Outside Your Span of Control, Getting Leadership Right, Conversations and Essays
At the end of the year, planning and prioritization take center stage. We can only really prioritize work, needs, and dreams that are within our span of control. That does not stop people from trying to prioritize work that is not theirs to prioritize.
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SPaMCAST 681 - Prioritization Without Control of Work Entry, Measuring Testings, Conversations and Essays
12/12/2021
SPaMCAST 681 - Prioritization Without Control of Work Entry, Measuring Testings, Conversations and Essays
This week we touch on a topic that is near and dear to my heart, work entry, with an essay titled Prioritization Without Control of Work Entry. I am tempted to suggest that without control over what you can say yes to, the whole idea of prioritization is a farce. The answer is more complicated, but only a little.
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SPaMCAST 680 - State of Software Measurement, Legacies, A Conversation with Mauricio Aguiar and Christine Green
12/05/2021
SPaMCAST 680 - State of Software Measurement, Legacies, A Conversation with Mauricio Aguiar and Christine Green
This week Mauricio Aguiar and Christine Green join me to discuss the state and future of Software Measurement. Mauricio, Christine, and I are all recent Past Presidents of the International Function Point Users Group (the largest international software measurement association). The conversation is both provocative and enlightening.
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SPaMCAST 679 - Team Leads In Agile, Descoping, Conversations and Essays
11/28/2021
SPaMCAST 679 - Team Leads In Agile, Descoping, Conversations and Essays
As we begin counting down to the end of the year, I would like to consider the team lead’s role. It is a nearly ubiquitous role in organizations, but is almost never talked about in agile frameworks. We begin our journey into the role by establishing three examples.
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SPaMCAST 678 - Prioritization Outside Span Of Control, Product Owners and User Stories, Conversations and Essays
11/21/2021
SPaMCAST 678 - Prioritization Outside Span Of Control, Product Owners and User Stories, Conversations and Essays
This week we are taking a quick journey into a discussion of prioritization outside of a team or an organization's span of control. It is easy to confuse influence and actually be able to exert control over an outcome. Wishful thinking often can lead to frustration.
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SPaMCAST 677 - Service Level Objectives, SLOs, A conversation with Kit Merker
11/14/2021
SPaMCAST 677 - Service Level Objectives, SLOs, A conversation with Kit Merker
Today we will speak to Kit Merker, COO of Nobl9 about Service Level Objectives (SLO). Kit provides down-to-earth advice for adopting and using SLOs to benefit teams AND organizations.
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SPaMCAST 676 - Agile and Executives and scaling Agile Up, A conversation with Vincent Henderson
11/07/2021
SPaMCAST 676 - Agile and Executives and scaling Agile Up, A conversation with Vincent Henderson
Today we feature our interview with Vincent Hendersen. We talked about scaling agility up -- not the same as scaling agile. Mr. Hendersen and I discussed thinking about agile as a service to align team and portfolio. This is a most thought-provoking interview. The idea of thinking about agile teams as a subscription model shifts the whole agile paradigm.
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SPaMCAST 675 - What is a Priority, Bad Leadership, Conversations and Essays
10/31/2021
SPaMCAST 675 - What is a Priority, Bad Leadership, Conversations and Essays
This week we continue the priority theme with an essay titled, “What is a Priority?” I wish it was a simple question. Since the whole idea of priority is premised on a group of people having a shared perspective and definition this is a question that needs to be asked and answered.
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