Software Process and Measurement Cast

We open the Software Process and Measurement Cast 763 with an application of critical thinking. Can you see the Great Wall of China from space? Urban legends say yes, Chip and Dan Heath (check out our re-read of Made to Stick) say no. Let's think about this. We also have a visit from Jon M Quigley. Jon and I discuss the implication of the saying "time is money." In the information economy using that old saw can lead to more problems than it solves. Re-Read Saturday News This week we begin our re-read of Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip and Dan Heath in earnest. The Introduction lays out the framework for the book and a lot more. This is not one of those introductions you can skip. I can tell that this reading of Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die is going to be different than the first. Heraclitus stated, "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." This re-read may well be an examination of the dangers of accepting sticky ideas and those that generate sticky ideas. Buy a copy of the book and then catch up on the logistics of this re-read: Week 1: Announcement and Logistics - https://bit.ly/46tn5Bz Week 2: Introduction - https://bit.ly/46CLmp1 Next SPaMCAST In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 764 will 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. Talking with Johanna is the same as attending a master class.

In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 762, we host a panel discussion on the impact of AI on project management prospects. The panel of Paul Clapis, Susan Parente, Michael Milutis, and Mark Tolbert state categorically that project administration will be overtaken, but the high-value human side of project management will not be displaced. I am not sure what that means for most people working in the project management space. Listen to the discussion and then look carefully at the work you are doing. Will AI be a boon or a bane for project management? Let the conversation begin. About Paul J. Clapis, Ph.D.: Dr. Clapis has over 30 years of experience managing AI, Machine Learning, and RPA projects for NASA, aerospace, and financial services industries. He also directed the Hughes Advanced Computing Lab at Yale Science Park, where he conducted applied research in AI, Expert Systems, Machine Learning, and Neural Networks. linkedin.com/in/pauljclapis About Susan Parente: Susan is an Engineer/Consultant, speaker, and author with experience managing both software and hardware development. She is proficient in managing complex system implementation for companies seeking to use enterprise business software to improve business process efficiency. Susan is a regular contributor to the Software Process and Measurement podcast. https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanparente/ About Michael Milutis: Michael Milutis is an international keynote speaker, instructor, and 25-year veteran of the IT industry who has dedicated his career to helping individuals learn, develop, and compete within a shifting technology landscape. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmilutis/ About Mark Tolbert: Mark has over 30 years of experience in I.T., including 27 years at Hewlett-Packard. He successfully managed support programs and projects within HP Services. He is a full-time instructor for PMP Prep classes since November 2007. He is very passionate about project management and believes adopting the best project management practices and skills is crucial to the success of enterprises today. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-tolbert-pmp-pmi-acp-90b9b38/ Re-Read Saturday News The votes are in and we have a near tie for the top spot. I decided to re-read Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip and Dan Heath first. Part of the rationale is that I have two copies of this book and have not read Leadership Is Language: The Hidden Power of What You Say–and What You Don't by L. David Marquet – yet. Once we have completed Made to Stick, we will launch ourselves into Leadership Is Language. By then I will have read the book. Buy a copy of the book and then catch up on the logistics of this re-read: Week 1: Announcement and Logistics - https://bit.ly/46tn5Bz Next SPaMCAST In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 763, we will continue with our summer theme on critical thinking by exploring whether sources should matter when considering a topic. We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley and his Alpha and Omega of Product Development.

In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 761 we continue our exploration of critical thinking. In this installment, we examine logical fallacies. The logic in logical fallacies is incorrect whether by design or misinterpretation. You need to be prepared. This week, Jeremy Berriault brings a discussion of QA Audit in agile to the QA Corner. Are QA Audits a logical fallacy? Re-Read Saturday News The Re-read Saturday has been a feature of the Software Process and Measurement blog since 2013 (7 Habits of Highly Effective People was the first book). This week we are still in the process of choosing the next book or books (we chose three last time), therefore we have a bit of an interlude today. I need your input to make the final cut! Please provide your input using the poll below. https://poll.fm/12416734 In the interim catch up on the re-read of Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow. Buy a copy because you can't borrow mine! All of the Team Topologies re-read 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 Week 6: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 1) – https://bit.ly/3VUI7EB Week 7: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 2) – https://bit.ly/3I70dxa Week 8: Choose Team-First Boundaries – https://bit.ly/43i8W8A Week 9: Team Interaction Modes - https://bit.ly/3WR49Is Week 10: Evolve Team Structures with Organizational Sensing - https://bit.ly/3NnIa9b Week 11: Conclusion - https://bit.ly/3JhEaEw Next SPaMCAST In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 762, we will share a panel discussing the impact of AI on the future of project management. A boon or a bane? Let the conversation begin.

SPaMCAST 760 will feature an interview with Jonathan Hensley, Founder & CEO at EMERGE. Jonathan and I talked about digital transformations and engagement. The core boils down to people and alignment. This was an extremely refreshing interview! Let me know what you think. Jonathon Hensley is co-founder and CEO of Emerge, a digital product consulting firm that works with companies to improve operational agility and customer experience. For more than two decades, Jonathon has helped startups, Fortune 100 brands, technology leaders, large regional health networks, non-profit organizations and more, transform their businesses by turning strategy, user needs and new technologies into valuable digital products and services. Jonathon writes and speaks about his experiences and insights from his career, and regularly hosts in-depth interviews with business leaders and industry insiders. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and two boys. linkedin.com/in/jonathonhensley emergeinteractive.com (Company) productalignment.com (Company) emergemobilefirst.com (Mobile First Podcast) Re-Read Saturday News First things second! Help me pick the next batch of books to be re-read. Pick two books from the poll below or email me at tcagley@tomcagel.com if you have a different suggestion. https://poll.fm/12416734 Back to first things! We completed our re-read of Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow this week. If you have (or ever will have) any input into how teams are formed and maintained you need to read this book at least once. PS - buy a copy because you can't borrow mine! All of the Team Topologies re-read 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 Week 6: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 1) – https://bit.ly/3VUI7EB Week 7: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 2) – https://bit.ly/3I70dxa Week 8: Choose Team-First Boundaries – https://bit.ly/43i8W8A Week 9: Team Interaction Modes - https://bit.ly/3WR49Is Week 10: Evolve Team Structures with Organizational Sensing - https://bit.ly/3NnIa9b Week 11: Conclusion - https://bit.ly/3JhEaEw Next SPaMCAST In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 761, we will continue our exploration of critical thinking. In this installment, we will examine several of the attributes of critical thinking. We will also have a visit from the QA Corner. Mr. Berriault brings his wisdom to the podcast.

The SPaMCAST 759 continues our exploration of critical thinking. This week we search for a consumable definition. If you can't hold a definition in your mind it is hard to contemplate the impact and necessity of rigorous thinking. Keis Kostaqi, brings the first installment of her Scrum Master, Facilitation and Transformation column to the podcast. In this installment, Keis discusses the impact of hierarchy on the role and behavior of Scrum Masters. Re-Read Saturday News We are nearly at the conclusion of Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow . Over the next few days, we will post a poll to get the selection process moving for our next re-read book. Chapter 8 is titled "Evolve Team Structures With Organization Sensing." I was struck by two important (and related) concepts during this read. They both are encompassed in the quote "the most important thing is not the shape of the organization itself but the rules and heuristics used to adapt and change the organizations as new challenges arise." 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 Week 6: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 1) – https://bit.ly/3VUI7EB Week 7: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 2) – https://bit.ly/3I70dxa Week 8: Choose Team-First Boundaries – https://bit.ly/43i8W8A Week 9: Team Interaction Modes - https://bit.ly/3WR49Is Week 10: Evolve Team Structures with Organizational Sensing - https://bit.ly/3NnIa9b Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 760 will feature an interview with Jonathan Hensley, Founder & CEO at EMERGE. Jonathan and I talked about digital transformations and engagement. The core boils down to alignment.

Jeffrey Miller and I have been trying to coordinate a time for an interview on the topics of tribal knowledge and team playbooks since August 2022. We finally solved that problem. Teams generate knowledge, understanding how to hold on to that knowledge and to push boundaries forward is why teams are powerful. Jeffrey Miller Technologist, Speaker, Author Jeffrey Miller is a Senior Consultant at Manifest Solutions in Columbus, Ohio. Jeffrey has over two decades of experience helping organizations bring value to their mission through software. He has presented a variety of topics at local user groups, regional tech conferences, and national healthcare meetings. Jeffrey and his wife, Brandy, are adoptive parents and have written a fun children's book called "Skeeters" with proceeds supporting adoption. Learn more about the project at https://skeeterbooks.com/adoption/. Contact Information Blog: https://www.knowledgeplaybook.com/ Company Website: https://manifestcorp.com/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jamiller Twitter: https://twitter.com/xagronaut Re-Read Saturday News Part 3 of Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow, integrates team interactions with the team topologies. In Chapter 7, Team Interaction Modes, the authors define three basic interaction patterns. Buy a copy of Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow and read along! 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 Week 6: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 1) – https://bit.ly/3VUI7EB Week 7: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 2) – https://bit.ly/3I70dxa Week 8: Choose Team-First Boundaries – https://bit.ly/43i8W8A Week 9: Team Interaction Modes - https://bit.ly/3WR49Is Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 759 will feature an essay building on our essay in SPaMCAST 757 which challenged the common agile belief that constant collaboration is a silver bullet. We will use this belief to explore critical thinking. We will also have a visit from Keis Kostaqi who brings her perspective of being a Scrum Master in a complicated environment.

A funny thing happened on the way to SPaMCAST 757. I was considering critical thinking when I ran into data that challenged a common agile belief - enter critical thinking. The idea is that constant collaboration, the goal of team rooms, and always-on communication software, is to create good ideas and decisions; good but not great. This week we also have a visit from Susan Parente who talks about her approach to personal kanban, something she calls kanban for one. Susan also takes us under the hood for a view into her busy, innovative world and how she keeps it under control. Re-Rread Saturday News This week we are back with Chapter 6 of Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais. The boundaries of teams are shaped by numerous pressures ranging from corporate politics and specialism to architectural structure. Inspecting the majority of teams it would seem that boundaries are the outcome of a random walk because they reflect all of these pressures over time. For more of a dive into the topic, check out the book and the whole re-read! 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 Week 6: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 1) - https://bit.ly/3VUI7EB Week 7: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 2) - https://bit.ly/3I70dxa Week 8: Choose Team-First Boundaries - https://bit.ly/43i8W8A Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 758 will feature our discussion with Jeffrey Miller. We will discuss the idea of tribal knowledge and playbooks. Teams generate a lot of information and knowledge - capturing that knowledge is not as easy as wishful thinking or waving a magic wand.

SPaMCAST 756 welcomes back Paul Gibbons. In this visit, we discuss his new book Change Myths: The Professional's Guide to Separating Sense from Nonsense which he co-authored with Tricia Kennedy. I have described Paul's new book as a Trojan horse. While it dispels myths it more importantly provides the tools for critical thinking which will allow you to tackle new myths as they appear. Pau's bio: Paul Gibbons is an author, academic, speaker, and business consultant He has authored numerous books, including Change Myths: The Professional's Guide to Separating Sense from Nonsense and The Science of Successful Organizational Change, He lives in the Denver area with his two sons and enjoys playing poker, chess, and other mind sports. Paul's Website: www.paulgibbons.net Email: Paul@paulgibbons.net Facebook – Paul Gibbons (author) Twitter – @paulggibbons YouTube – Philosophyfirst LinkedIn – Paul G Gibbons The interview with Paul was huge, so no Re-read Saturday News this week. We will be back next week. In the interim, buy a copy and catch up. Use the link to buy a copy of Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais. 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 Week 6: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 1) - https://bit.ly/3VUI7EB Week 7: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 2) - https://bit.ly/3I70dxa Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 757 will begin an arc on critical thinking. The interview in this week's podcast has caused me to begin to explore critical thinking and why the idea is important for agile coaches. We will also have a visit from Susan Parente who brings her Not A Scrumdamentalist column to the podcast.

SPaMCAST 755 features an essay on the relationship between engagement, hierarchy, and fatalism based on a discussion of the topic between the SPaMCAST Columnists. The ideas of hierarchy, engagement, and fatalism struck a nerve within the SPaMCAST family. To a person, the prevailing attitude is that hierarchy has value, but only to a point. Jon M Quigley joins the cast in the second slot this week with a discussion about making mistakes. Learning from mistakes is important but making the same mistake over and over is not a sign that you are learning. Re-read Saturday News! This week we finish the re-read Chapter 5 of Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais. As noted last week, Chapter 5 is a powerhouse. This week, let's examine some of the behaviors that the four fundamental team topologies exhibit. Understanding how teams structured in this manner should behave will also be useful for understanding which team type delivers the most value to the organization in a specific context. 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 Week 6: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 1) - https://bit.ly/3VUI7EB Week 7: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 2) - https://bit.ly/3I70dxa Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 756 will welcome back Paul Gibbons. In this visit we discuss his new book Change Myths: The Professional's Guide to Separating Sense from Nonsense which he co-authored with Tricia Kennedy. The book gives you the tools to sort the sense from the nonsense -- and there is a lot of nonsense in the change management field.

Today I would like to introduce you to the Software Process and Measurement Cast's newest columnist, Keis Kostaqi. Keis is a scrum master and coach. She will bring a Scrumban flavor to the podcast. Keis has experience with teams with complicated work input patterns. Today we get to know Keis - and get some interesting ideas along the way. Keis Kostaqi is a passionate Agile Coach with years of experience in healthcare, information services, and technology. Currently serving as a Program Manager for the Agile Transformation Team at Northwestern Medicine, she enables individuals and teams to be successful through continual learning and growth and facilitates self-managed continuous improvement. Keis serves at the Greater Illinois Chapter of HIMSS Board of Directors as an Educational Programs Director, where she plans and implements the chapter's programs and educational activities. She is also a Woman in Agile member focused on building mentor-mentee relationships that help the Women in Agile community unlock their full potential. She holds an MBA and is also a Certified Scrum Master and Product Owner. Other interests include traveling, food lover, writing novels, volunteering, and binge-watching TV shows. Contact Information: linkedin.com/in/keiskostaqi Re-read Saturday News! This week we re-read Chapter 5 of Team Topologies: Organizing Business And Technology Teams For Fast Flow by Matthew Skelton and Manuel Pais. Chapter 5 is a powerhouse. This chapter lays out the four fundamental team topologies with examples. I read this chapter twice during my first read of the book and I read it twice this week. We will approach thinking through the re-read over two weeks. This week we start with a little practice identifying the four basic team topologies. 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 Week 6: The Four Fundamental Team Topologies (Part 1) - https://bit.ly/3VUI7EB Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 755 will feature an essay on the relationship between team design, flow, and behavior. Organizations passionately espouse the need for increasing productivity and process improvement but rarely tackle the problem of team design. Let's look that scary idea straight in the eye. We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley who will regale us with wisdom in his Alpha and Omega of product development column.