Software Process and Measurement Cast

This week we discuss the Manifesto for Organizational Agility with Jeff Bubolz and Chad Beier. Jeff and Chad developed the manifesto to help organizations get agile and stay agile. Many organizations rush into agile finding early success that turns sour a few months or years down the road. This pattern is indisputable. The Manifesto seeks to highlight the core issues that lead to this pattern (you will also want to listen to the interview with Bob Galen on SPaMCAST 748 due to be posted on 26 March).  You can read the Manifesto for Organizational Agility at http://bit.ly/3mOnBaU Chad and Jeff’s Bios: Chad is an organizational agility advisor and external change agent with Wisconsin Agility and Professional Scrum Trainer (PST) with Scrum.org. He promotes organizational agility and positive pressure for change through speaking, advising, coaching, and training. Jeff is a Professional Scrum Trainer (PST) with Scrum.org, organizational agility advisor, podcast host, and speaker. Jeff brings storytelling, a broad array of experience, along with a collaborative approach to teaching and speaking. Contact information and More: Wisconsin Agility:   Agile Wire Podcast (one of my favorites): Chad Beier:   Chad Beier’s Agile Songs: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrE4EJKhiUtc3j5aAnRlskg Jeff Bubolz: Re-read Saturday News! Chapter 19 of Extraordinary is titled “ Setting Up a Badass Agile Coaching Community of Practice.” I have strong opinions about Communities of Practice (CoP). They can be a very valuable tool, when done well, for supporting movements within an organization. As Mr. Galen points out, a CoP, is a place for learning and feedback. Done poorly they are invasive and harmful. CoPs will get like-minded people together to learn, support each other, interact, and become a community.  Buy a copy and upgrade your coaching skills -  Previous Installments: Week 18: -   Week 17: -   Week 16: -   Week 15: -   Next SPaMCAST  We will continue our exploration of fatalism’s impact on change in organizations (listen to the essay in SPaMCAST 745). Fatalism does not have to be permanent. How that transition away from fatalism can be made varies depending on context. In the next installment in this series, we will look at a few approaches to tackling this problem.  We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley who will bring his Alpha and Omega of Product Development to the podcast.

Fatalism stops process improvement and agile transformations in their tracks. One of the definitions of fatalism is the belief that all events are predetermined and therefore inevitable. Just accepting the status quo because it is the status quo isn’t pragmatism it is stagnation. We also have a visit from Tony Timbol who brings his To Tell A Story column to the podcast. Sign up for his free newsletter () and get a copy of the ebook on agile requirements we discussed. Re-read Saturday News! Chapter 18 of Extraordinary is titled “Dojo Practice for the Badass Agile Coach.” The coaching dojo in Chapter 18 has a much smaller footprint than other dojos I have participated in and is easily implementable. I ran two this week and have plans for several more.  Buy a copy and upgrade your coaching skills -  Week 17:  -   Week 16: -   Week 15: -   Next SPaMCAST The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature a conversation with Jeff Bubolz and Chad Beier. We discussed their Manifesto for Organizational Agility (  Agility.) - a new manifesto for the dynamic world of work.

This week Nikhil Nandagopal and I talked about building teams. Teams are the heart and soul of software development in all of its many aspects. Nikhil provides pragmatic advice for organizing people into teams. We also discussed the democratization of coding that low-code platforms deliver. Nikhil Nandagopal, a co-founder of Appsmith, leads the development of the company’s product – the first open-source low-code platform for developers. He is a software engineer and entrepreneur with 10 years of experience building apps.  Nikhil’s  Website:   Nikhil’s Profile: Twitter Re-read Saturday News! Chapter 17 of Extraordinary is titled “The Badass Agile Coach’s Guide to Starting Your Day” which provides a structure or ritual for beginning each coaching day. I almost see this as a macro planning arc that Bob has recommended for all coaching sessions. Thinking about Christmas presents for your coaching friends? (302 days from today!) Buy a copy and beat the rush -  Week 16: -   Week 15: -   A quick advertisement: Controlling work entry requires preparation, knowledge, and 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? Please email us at tcagley@tomcagley.com or willetsjm@gmail.com Next SPaMCAST In the next Software Process and Measurement Cast, I want to talk about one of the great enemies of change - fatalism. Phrases like “that's not our culture” or “that won’t work here” are discussion killers. We will also have a visit from Tony Timbol who brings his To Tell A Story column to the podcast.

This week, we take a detour thanks to Extraordinary Badass Agile Coaching. Over the past two chapters, the book has drilled us on recognizing and adapting to situational nuances as a crucial skill for effective coaching. I will admit that my first few years of coaching were formulaic. I did not spend the needed time to understand and address nuances of context or differences in individuals' journeys through life. I do not remember when I learned that roles and situations change the trajectory of coaching, as does the starting point of the person or persons you are coaching. At some point, I got the point. In this chapter, diversity is an omnibus term used to describe inclusiveness across a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, life experiences, and more. Galen-Personick focuses on four specific areas. Rather than recounting the four, what struck me during this read was the impact privilege has on both delivering and being coached. That’s what I discuss in today’s podcast.  Jeremy Berriault brings his QA Corner to the podcast. This week we communicated on the topic of communication.   Re-read Saturday News! Chapter 16 of Extraordinary is titled Situational Awareness as a Badass Agile Coach. This chapter is written by Rhiannon Galen-Personick and focuses on diversity awareness.  The author uses four areas of diversity to help coaches think through their biases, the biases of the people they are coaching, and the biases of the teams around them. This is in an effort to teach all of us to be better coaches and, dare I say, people. Week 15:  -   A quick advertisement: Controlling work entry requires preparation, knowledge, and 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? Please email us at tcagley@tomcagley.com or willetsjm@gmail.com Next SPaMCAST In the next Software Process and Measurement Cast, Nikhil Nandagopal and I talked about building teams. Teams are the heart and soul of software development in all of its many aspects.

This week, Jorgen Hesselberg discusses the efficacy of assessments in helping to guide an agile journey. Assessments are a tool to help coaches coach and to answer the question of where are we in our journey toward being more agile.  Jorgen last appeared in SPaMCAST 557 in 2019 (). Jorgen Hesselberg is the author of Unlocking Agility and co-founder of Comparative Agility, a leading agile assessment, and continuous improvement platform. A proven thought leader of numerous successful enterprise transformation efforts since 2009, Jorgen provides strategic guidance, executive counsel, and coaching to some of the world’s most respected companies, both as an internal change agent and an external consultant. He has trained thousands of people on agile and Scrum, disruptive innovation, and enterprise transformation strategy. Contact Information Email: jorgen@comparativeagility.com  LinkedIn:   Comparative Agility:  Re-read Saturday News! Chapters 14 and 15 of are titled Badass Role-Based Coaching and Context-Based Coaching. Written by Jennifer Fields, the chapters explore role-based and context-based coaching dynamics. The two chapters are intertwined; I view roles as a specialized type of context. Jennifer presents several scenarios in both chapters on how she would approach coaching events for different roles and contexts. Week 1:  -   A quick advertisement: Controlling work entry requires preparation, knowledge, and 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? Please email us at tcagley@tomcagley.com or willetsjm@gmail.com   Next SPaMCAST In the next Software Process and Measurement Cast, we continue our journey into the use of flow metrics to plan work. Next week we will tackle something more complex. We will also return to the QA corner with the regular version of Mr. Barriault’s column.

Planning is an important component of getting work done. Planning is not, however, creating and delivering work. Minimizing the amount of time spent planning but not under planning is almost mind-numbingly difficult. Flow metrics are tools to maximize the value of planning while minimizing the time spent on planning. Over the next few entries in the Software Process and Measurement Blog, we will explore several examples of using flow metrics in planning.   We also have a visit from Susan Parente who brings her Not A Scrumdamentalist column to the podcast. Susan provides guidance on navigating environments that are not pristinely agile in a pragmatic fashion. Re-read Saturday News! Chapter 13 of is titled Badass Pair-Coaching.  Over the years I have had many opportunities to participate in pair coaching, although fewer over the past few years. I miss pair coaching; it pushes me to expand my horizons and up my game. What about you? Week 13: - A quick advertisement: Controlling work entry requires preparation and knowledge, building to establishing 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? Please email us at tcagley@tomcagley.com or willetsjm@gmail.com Next SPaMCAST Jorgen Hesselberg returns to the podcast to discuss the efficacy of assessments in helping to guide an agile journey. Assessments are a tool to help coaches coach and to answer the question of where are we in our journey toward being more agile.  Jorgen appeared in SPaMCAST 557 in 2019 ()

Today we begin year 17 of the Software Process and Measurement Cast with a presentation that Jeremy Berriault did at IdeaFest 2020. The presentation covered using supply chain concepts in an agile environment. When I originally recorded the session, I felt the idea was interesting but not very useful. But I am a bit of a packrat; I don’t throw anything away. Last week I listened to the presentation again. This time I could see that the idea of using supply chain concepts is a great approach to implementing value chains and mirrors why flow metrics are such a valuable concept. Jeremy was just a bit ahead of the rest of the world. Note, the recording is not perfect. There is some external noise from unmuted microphones in the feed. I think the bit of interference does not diminish the message. The content is great; stay with it and you will have a lot to think about.  The slides: (see www.spamcast.net Jeremy’s website: https://berriaultandassociates.com/ Re-read Saturday News! This week Chapter 12 of focuses on language. Language is both essential and a deterrent for creating understanding. This is a provocative statement, but the truth of the statement is not open for debate. Week 12:  -   A quick advertisement: Controlling work entry requires preparation and knowledge, building to establishing 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? Please email us at tcagley@tomcagley.com or willetsjm@gmail.com Next SPaMCAST Using flow metrics to plan in Kanban and Scrum environments. Flow metrics are incredibly useful metrics for value streams and value chains. They are equally useful at the team level — and in some cases even more powerful. We will also have a visit from Susan Parente who brings her Not A Scrumdamentalist column to the podcast.

Today we revisit the topic of empathy as we mark the last show in year 16. As coaches and leaders, we are taught that being empathetic is critical. However, the blanket statement that we need to walk a mile in someone else's shoes is not all rainbows and kittens. 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 continue our conversation on flow and its importance for teams and leaders. Re-read Saturday News! This week Chapter 11 of looks up.  Even if you focus your agile coaching practice on teams you will need to coach up the managerial and executive hierarchy of the team. Week 11 - - http://bit.ly/3ZWo6z1 A quick advertisement: Controlling work entry requires preparation and knowledge, building to establishing 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? Please email us at tcagley@tomcagley.com or willetsjm@gmail.com Next SPaMCAST Using flow metrics to plan in Kanban and Scrum environments. Flow metrics are thought of as incredible metrics for value streams and value chains. They are equally useful at the team level — and in some cases even more powerful.   We will also have a visit from Jeremy Berriault who brings his QA Corner column to the podcast.

Luis Gonçalves returns to the Software Process and Measurement Cast to discuss his new book, Product First.  We also talked about organizational mastery and change. Become a beta reader of Product First at   Luis last joined us on , we discussed OKRs.  Luis’s Bio Luis Gonçalves is an Entrepreneur, Best Seller Author, and International Keynote Speaker. When consulting he works exclusively with Entrepreneurs, Founders, and Senior Leaders on the implementation of his game-changing "ADAPT Methodology". By following the "ADAPT Methodology" Executive Leaders will be able to transform their traditional project-oriented companies into modern digital product companies. OKR Guide: Website:   Website: Podcast: https://adaptmethodology.com/podcast/ LinkedIn:    Re-read Saturday News! This week Chapter 10 of enumerates the four meta-skills in the Coaching Growth Wheel. They are:  Leadership,  Change Artistry,  Inspiration, and  Role Modeling. These four skills underpin the model and I strongly recommend a close reading of the chapter. A quick advertisement: Controlling work entry requires preparation and knowledge, building to establishing 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? Please email us at tcagley@tomcagley.com or willetsjm@gmail.com Next SPaMCAST Using flow metrics to plan in Kanban and Scrum environments. Flow metrics are thought of as incredible metrics for value streams and value chains. They are equally useful at the team level — and in some cases even more powerful. We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley who brings his Alpha and Omega of Product Development column to the podcast.

A funny thing happened on the way to this week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast, I was asked about managing risk in Agile. In preparation for answering the question, I reviewed and updated some of my work on the topic. So instead of flow metrics, we have an essay on risk. That is just the chance you take when you ask me a question.  Note -- I have a great question on risk to ask Susan Parente, @techriskmanager, the next time we record.  We also have a visit from Tony Timbol. Tony discusses agile requirements in an installment of his To Tell A Story column. Check out Tony at http://tonytimbol.com/   Re-read Saturday News! This week we tackle Chapters 8 and 9.  These chapters of are titled An Agile Coaching Story, Parts 1 and 2. They are written by Mark Summers of Beliminal and provide great advice on how to prepare and execute coaching events.    Week 9 - -   A quick advertisement: Controlling work entry requires preparation and knowledge, building to establishing 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? Please email us at tcagley@tomcagley.com or willetsjm@gmail.com Next SPaMCAST Luis Gonçalves is back to discuss his new book!  Luis and I had a great time talking about shifting from projects to product thinking, organizational mastery, and more!