Software Process and Measurement Cast

This week we are on our annual holiday. We are toiling away editing audio and doing voice exercises to bring you new and exciting content and will be back next week!  In the SPaMCAST 777 we re-release SPaMCAST 486 - Daniel S Vacanti, Actionable Agile Metrics. The idea of flow metrics has fundamentally changed my perspective on how to use metrics. I have to thank Mr. Vacanti for starting me on the path. Enjoy the interview. The original inroducion - SPaMCAST 486 features our interview with Daniel S. Vacanti.  Mr. Vacanti is the author of .  We discussed the concepts in the book, answered a question from Steven Adams, and talked about his new book.  It was great to talk about a book with the author after the re-read.

We are on our annual holiday and will return with new programs on October 22nd. This week in the SPaMCAST 776 from our archives we feature SPaMCAST 641 - The Agile Coaching Code of Ethics, A Conversation With Shane Hastie and Craig Smith. The show was originally aired on March 7, 2021. I still think the ethics initiative is one of the most important things I have been involved with professionally. Enjoy the discussion. Read more (you really should) at   The original inroducion -  In the podcast this week, we discuss the Agile Coaching Code of Ethics and the process of building an ethical foundation.  Shane Hastie and Craig Smith have been leading the effort to craft a useful Agile Coaching Code of Ethics for the past year. These two thought leaders have helped to pull together a diverse group of coaches, and then guide that herd of cats to create a new force to guide agile coaches of all stripes.

We are on our annual holiday and will return with new programs on October 22nd. The Software Process and Measurement Cast 775 is a re-release of SPaMCAST 635 - Practical Ways to Manage, A Conversation with Johanna Rothman. The show was originally released on January 24, 2021. It was one of the SPaMCAST’s many anniversary editions. Enjoy our conversation The original introduction -  Cue the music . . . Happy Birthday, Software Process and Measurement Cast!  Today we begin year 15 with a visit from Johanna Rothman.  We talked about her THREE new books: Practical Ways to Manage Yourself: Modern Management Made Easy, Book 1 Practical Ways to Lead & Serve (Manage) Others: Modern Management Made Easy, Book 2 -   Practical Ways to Lead an Innovative Organization: Modern Management Made Easy, Book 3 -   We of course covered more ground.  For example about 2/3rds of the way through we talked about why the word experiment is a dirty word in most organizations. This is a longer interview, but when I grow up I want to be just like Johanna (I am serious).   See all her books, blogs, and other resources at jrothman.com and createadaptablelife.com.

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 impact on whether a Big Bang approach or an incremental approach makes sense to change. Our second column is from Jeremy Berriault. Jeremy discusses user acceptance testing and Agile. There are lots of different ways to accomplish user acceptance testing in an Agile environment.  The only wrong way is not to do UAT in Agile.  Jeremy  can be found at  https://www.berriaultandassociates.com/ Jon M Quigley brings his column, The Alpha and Omega of Product Development, to the Cast. This week Jon puts all the pieces together and discusses systems thinking.  One of the places you can find Jon is at .

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 Development column to the podcast! Jon and I use the learning to play a new bass as a metaphor for learning technology. Re-Read Saturday News This week begin a new book on Re-read Saturday, this week! Ten years ago we started our Re-read Saturday journey. The first installment featured . We have read and re-read a lot of books. The book we begin our next ten years is L. David Marquet’s, .    This is not Mr. Marquet’s first time in our re-read queue. In 2018 we re-read Turn the Ship Around! I think that book is universally seen as a game changer. Here is the kicker, I think Leadership is Language is more important and useful on a day-to-day basis. I can’t tell how many times I have used ideas from the book in the short time I have owned it.   Buy a copy of  and begin reading along. Week 1: Logistics, Foreword, Introduction -    Next SPaMCAST  The Software Process and Measurement Cast 774 will feature 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, Systems Thinking from April 3, 2017. I hope you will enjoy the show!

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: LinkedIn: Website: Re-Read Saturday News After the conclusion of , there are three brief sections with practical tips for making ideas memorable.  The dust cover states, “With Added Material (now even stickier)”. The added material provides more food for thought for using Made to Stick.  Buy a copy of the book and then catch up on the logistics of this re-read: Week 1: -   Week 2: -   Week 3: -   Week 4: -   Week 5: -   Week 6: -   Week 7: -   Week 8: -   Week 9: -   Week 10: -   Week 11: -     Next SPaMCAST  The Software Process and Measurement Cast 773 will feature our essay on why as professionals we should strive to grow a little every day. We will also have a visit from Jon M. Quigley who brings his Alpha and Omega of Product Development column to the podcast!

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, I did take it to the porch! As with other re-reads, the content of the book has found its way into my writing and consulting practice. In the case of Made to Stick, several ideas and examples have made their way into my essays on critical thinking. The two themes work well together. As you consider sticky ideas you need a framework to test their veracity.   Buy a copy of the book and then catch up on the logistics of this re-read: Week 1: -   Week 2: -   Week 3: -   Week 4: -   Week 5: -   Week 6: -   Week 7: -   Week 8: -   Week 9: -   Week 10: -     Next SPaMCAST  The Software Process and Measurement Cast 772 features our interview with Ahmed Wasfy. We will discuss the role of the engineering manager and how people learn the role. Being a good engineering manager requires more than a magic wand.

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 because it enables her to coach with sincere empathy and experience. Former agile skeptic, Jess was eventually convinced by a colleague to give agile a try more than a decade ago. Her personal transformation was so impactful that Jess continues to contribute to the broader Agile community to this very day. Most recently Jess has poured her energy into immersive learning dojos as a preferred means of developing long standing skills. She is the proud author of . Website: http://jessbrock.com/ Re-Read Saturday News The epilogue was the end of the original version of ; later additions had extra material added. I am reading from the 26th printing. We will cover the extra material titled, Sticky Advice, next week. Today we'll discuss the Epilogue, without wrapping the book up. It feels wrong :)  I read this chapter more deeply knowing that there was more to come. It felt like less of a recap and more of how to use the book. Three items caught my attention during this read.  Buy a copy of the book and then catch up on the logistics of this re-read: Week 1: -   Week 2: -   Week 3: -   Week 4: -   Week 5: -   Week 6: -   Week 7: -   Week 8: -   Week 9: -     Next SPaMCAST  In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 771 we will complete our summer theme on critical thinking. Critical thinking might sound esoteric or academic, however, I think that categorization is both wrong and misses the point. Critical thinking is a survival tool. We will also have a visit from Jeremy Berriault and his Agile Corner.

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 leaders measure what matters. Phil also is a podcaster!  The SaaS Origin Stories Podcast uncovers those pivotal moments and decisions that turned SaaS companies into major successes. Contact Information DevSquad: DevStats: Podcast:   Re-Read Saturday News In Chapter 5 of we find that an analytical approach reduces people’s ability to be emotionally connected to an idea or concept. Without an emotional connection, they are far less apt to act. Calls to action that are emotionally engaging will generate action.  Buy a copy of the book and then catch up on the logistics of this re-read: Week 1: -   Week 2: -   Week 3: -   Week 4: -   Week 5: -   Week 6: -   Week 7: -   Next SPaMCAST  In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 769, we return to our summer theme of Critical Thinking. My daughter (Meghan also is the editor for the blog and podcast and sounding board on a wide range of topics) pointed out a model for levels of research. The model provides an interesting filter to help understand the types of research we use and the “power” each delivers.  We will also have a visit from Keis Kostaqi. Keis brings her wit, empathy, and wisdom as a Scrum Master in complex environments to help you improve.

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 fourth requirement for maximum stickiness (short of Gorilla Glue) discussed in  . Credibility is defined as the quality or power of inspiring belief or trust. Without credibility, the attributes of simplicity, unexpectedness, and concreteness crumble.  Buy a copy of the book and then catch up on the logistics of this re-read: Week 1: -   Week 2: -   Week 3: -   Week 4: -   Week 5: -   Week 6: -   Next SPaMCAST  In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 768, Phil Alves, CEO of DevSquad discusses how he structures teams to perform in dynamic environments. Software development of any stripe is a team sport, you either get it right or suffer the consequences.