Software Process and Measurement Cast

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. Tony TImbol also brings his "To Tell A Story" column to the cast building on the ideas that are central fro good user stores. Check out Tony's Product Owner training events at http://tonytimbol.com/events/ This week to talk about the product owner's role in writing and maintaining user stories. Re-Read Saturday News This week we re-read Chapter 7 of Project to Product https://amzn.to/2WzvPac (Amazon Affiliate Link). This week we consider Mik's first two epiphanies and introduce the topic of network value streams. Catch up on previous installments: Week 1: Foreword and Introduction - https://bit.ly/39gIt0A Week 2: Age of Software - https://bit.ly/2XYvqyI Week 3: From Project to Product - https://bit.ly/3mhwJBb Week 4: Introducing The Flow Framework - https://bit.ly/3lqJTwd Week 5: Capturing Flow Metrics - https://bit.ly/3GjCffC Week 6: Connecting to Business Results - https://bit.ly/3BTROqQ Week 7: Tracking Disruptions -https://bit.ly/3neIs5h Week 8: The Ground Truth of Enterprise Tool Networks - https://bit.ly/3DHO5OU Next SPaMCAST Next week an essay on the role of the team lead in Scrum. As Mellisa Greller points out, the role of the TL is often overlooked. When a role is overlooked it causes friction. Unless you are starting a campfire, friction is not a great idea. We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley (i know I said that last week but this week we recorded the next few Alpha and Omega of Product Development columns).

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. Kit's bio: Kit Merker's 20+ year career spans product management, engineering, evangelism and community-building roles at Google, Microsoft, JFrog, and the governing board of the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). He is currently Chief Operating Officer for Nobl9, driving community and growth for service reliability for enterprise development teams. Contact information: linkedin.com/in/kitmerker (LinkedIn) kitmerker.com (Personal Website) nobl9.com (Company Website) @KitMerker (Twitter) Re-Read Saturday News This week we re-read Chapter 6 of Project to Product https://amzn.to/2WzvPac (Amazon Affiliate Link). In the chapter the author tells four stories of disruption -- they are interesting in their own right. Still, if we look for a common thread I would suggest the communication needed to manage the balance between flow items (features, defects, risks, and debts). Catch up on previous installments: Week 1: Foreword and Introduction - https://bit.ly/39gIt0A Week 2: Age of Software - https://bit.ly/2XYvqyI Week 3: From Project to Product - https://bit.ly/3mhwJBb Week 4: Introducing The Flow Framework - https://bit.ly/3lqJTwd Week 5: Capturing Flow Metrics - https://bit.ly/3GjCffC Week 6: Connecting to Business Results - https://bit.ly/3BTROqQ Week 8: Tracking Disruptions -https://bit.ly/3neIs5h Next SPaMCAST Next week an essay on the role of the team lead in Scrum. As Mellisa Greller points out, the role of the TL is often overlooked. When a role is overlooked it causes friction. Unless you are starting a campfire, friction is not a great idea. We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley.

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. Vincent's bio: Vincent Henderson is an operations and product executive in B2B organizations that use knowledge and technology to create value. He has transformed information supply chains and content-driven businesses across 10 countries, 5 industries, and 3 decades. Vincent is a business technologist. He enjoys building rational and purposeful teams that focus on concrete, meaningful outcomes. He had his first Agile workshop about 10 years ago with Tom Cagley and Anthony Mersino. Since that watershed moment of insight, he has implemented and run Agile product development in the 4 different organizations that he has led since. As a business leader who rolls out Agile as part of his leadership practice, he has developed unique insights around how Agile fits within the broader context of business management. Contact information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vhenderson/ https://www.ludditesandexecutives.io/ Re-Read Saturday News This week we re-read Chapter 5 of Project to Product https://amzn.to/2WzvPac (Amazon Affiliate Link). As the previous chapters have highlighted, we can measure the flow items that enter and exit a value stream. There are a number of suitcase words (words that have many ideas packed in them) in that statement, such as value streams and flow items. Chapter 5 of Project to Product connects flow items and metrics to business results. The integrated view is where the real power of the model is found (but only if you bite the bullet and understand the value streams in the organization). Catch up on previous installments: Week 1: Foreword and Introduction - https://bit.ly/39gIt0A Week 2: Age of Software - https://bit.ly/2XYvqyI Week 3: From Project to Product - https://bit.ly/3mhwJBb Week 4: Introducing The Flow Framework - https://bit.ly/3lqJTwd Week 5: Capturing Flow Metrics - https://bit.ly/3GjCffC Week 6: Connecting to Business Results - https://bit.ly/3BTROqQ Next SPaMCAST Next week, another interview takes center stage. 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.

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. We also have a visit from Susan Parente with her I'm Not A Scrumdamentalist column. In this installment, we tackle bad leadership (I wish tackle was not used metaphorically). Upcoming Events Out of Control Work Entry Means "No Agile For You" November 4, 2021 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EST In this webinar, we will use five common patterns of work entry to highlight team dysfunctions of poor work entry practices. We will also explore a path forward for each work entry pattern to help improve the delivery of business value. Register Now: https://bit.ly/3q1yWnw Re-Read Saturday News I was busy preparing for my webinar, Out of Control Work Entry Means "No Agile For You" and did not complete Chapter 5's re-read of Project to Product. https://amzn.to/2WzvPac (Amazon Affiliate Link). We will be back next week. Catch up on previous installments: Week 1: Foreword and Introduction - https://bit.ly/39gIt0A Week 2: Age of Software - https://bit.ly/2XYvqyI Week 3: From Project to Product - https://bit.ly/3mhwJBb Week 4: Introducing The Flow Framework - https://bit.ly/3lqJTwd Week 5: Capturing Flow Metrics - https://bit.ly/3GjCffC Next SPaMCAST Next week we will 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.

In the essay today, prioritization requires a steady hand and consistency. The process for prioritization should have more in common with a well-oiled basketball or futbol team than five-year-olds playing soccer in the schoolyard. How the moving parts work together is a process, but in some circles, "process" is a dirty word. On the conversation side, Jeremy Berriault brings his QA Corner to the cast. We discuss test automation plans and strategies in agile. Upcoming Events The Agile Online Summit! This Week!! Tom Henricksen delivers one of the most innovative online conferences. This year he has upped the bar again! While you can attend the Summit for free, there are a number of innovative options to learn even more from the Summit. Please join the premier Agile Online Conference from October 25th to 27th, 2021. Register at https://bit.ly/3mplqIK Re-Read Saturday News This week, we dive into Chapter 4 of Project to Product titled Capturing Flow Metrics. https://amzn.to/2WzvPac (Amazon Affiliate Link). Why capture flow metrics? The four components of the flow distribution reflect the investment pattern within the value stream. That pattern is a direct reflection of the value delivered by an organization. Catch up on previous installments: Week 1: Foreword and Introduction - https://bit.ly/39gIt0A Week 2: Age of Software - https://bit.ly/2XYvqyI Week 3: From Project to Product - https://bit.ly/3mhwJBb Week 4: Introducing The Flow Framework - https://bit.ly/3lqJTwd Week 5: Capturing Flow Metrics - https://bit.ly/3GjCffC Next SPaMCAST Next week another essay, perhaps even the promised Why Pragmatic Has Become Code For Half-assed. We will also have a visit from Susan Parente with her I Am Not A Scrumdamentalist column.

Today, we feature an essay titled, So I Asked What Is Agile. A simple question that yields interesting answers. One interesting outcome was that answers fit into three categories. We explore the process and people-oriented groups this week. I will come back to the rant category later this month. In addition to the essay, Tony Timbol brings his To Tell A Story column to the cast! In this installment, the product owner's role is under the microscope. Check out Tony's website at https://bit.ly/2Z1IrIg Upcoming Events The Agile Online Summit! The clock is ticking - loudly! Tom Henricksen delivers one of the most innovative online conferences. This year he has upped the bar again! While you can attend the Summit for free, there are a number of innovative options to learn even more from the Summit. Please join the premier Agile Online Conference from October 25th to 27th, 2021. Register at https://bit.ly/3mplqIK Re-Read Saturday News This week, we are taking a break from Project to Product. Remember to buy a copy today https://amzn.to/2WzvPac (Amazon Affiliate Link) and we will be back next week. Previous Week's Installment: Week 1: Foreword and Introduction - https://bit.ly/39gIt0A Week 2: Age of Software - https://bit.ly/2XYvqyI Week 3: From Project to Product - https://bit.ly/3mhwJBb Week 4: Introducing The Flow Framework - https://bit.ly/3lqJTwd Next SPaMCAST Kyle Siemens returns to the podcast to talk about certifications and running a testing business. Kyle does not shy away from hard topics in a world that is certification crazy.

Until this week, Disciplined Agile was a topic we had not investigated on the Software Process and Measurement Cast. DA is an approach to scaling agile development. Today, Jonathan Lee and I discuss Disciplined Agile and reinventing yourself to stay relevant in a dynamic world. Mr. Lee's Bio: Jonathan has over 25 years of diversified IT consulting experience working with private and public sector clients. His latest passion is in agile coaching and delivering Disciplined Agile training to individuals and organizations that want to transform themselves to practice Business Agility. Jonathan is a Certified Disciplined Agile Instructor (CDAI). Jonathan has volunteered at PMI Chicagoland Chapter for many years serving on the board including serving as the Chapter President for 3 years in the past. Jonathan is a frequent speaker at PMI chapters in North America. Email: Jlee@VitalityChicago.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonathanleepmp Upcoming Events The Agile Online Summit! The clock is ticking! Tom Henricksen delivers one of the most innovative online conferences. This year he has upped the bar again! While you can attend the Summit for free, there are a number of innovative options to learn even more from the Summit. Please join the premier Agile Online Conference from October 25th to 27th, 2021, Register at https://bit.ly/3mplqIK Re-Read Saturday News One of the most influential books in my career was Peopleware by Tom DeMarco and Tim Lister. One concept in the book was the concept of flow state, being fully in the zone so that a problem or piece of work can be focused on and delivered. Flow maximizes the amount of value delivered. Demarco and Lister's introduction to flow paved the way for my interest in The Flow Framework. Chapter 3 of Project to Product introduces the Flow Framework. Buy a copy today https://amzn.to/2WzvPac This Week's Installment: Week 1: Foreword and Introduction - https://bit.ly/39gIt0A Week 2: Age of Software - https://bit.ly/2XYvqyI Week 3: From Project to Product - https://bit.ly/3mhwJBb Week 4: Introducing The Flow Framework - https://bit.ly/3lqJTwd Next SPaMCAST Next week we have an essay titled, What is Agile? There are a few things that just need to be said. For example, just because you are doing ceremonies doesn't make you agile and might just make you fragile. In addition, Tony Timbol brings his To Tell A Story column to the cast! In this installment, the product owner's role is under the microscope.

I deviated from the plan this week and recorded a conversation with my colleague, mentor, and friend Anthony Mersino (Anthony was last on the podcast SPaMCAST 583 http://bit.ly/3aJMw51 ). Our chat, titled, "Is Your Scrum Master The Problem?" Our conversation looks at transactive memory from the point of view of teams and Scrum Masters. Is it a boon or a train wreck? Anthony has also published a version of the conversation at https://bit.ly/3ux0Fge We also have a visit from Susan Parente who brings her I'm Not A Scrumdamentalist column to the cast. I have titled this conversation, "I Have A WIP Problem". Ok so maybe both Susan and I have a lot on our plates, but we have the tools to tackle the problem. We talk about how to get your WIP under control. Upcoming Events The Agile Online Summit! Tom Henricksen delivers one of the most innovative online conferences. This year he has upped the bar again! While you can attend the Summit for free, there are a number of innovative options to learn even more from the Summit, the early bird pricing on those options is nearly gone. Please join the premier Agile Online Conference from October 25th to 27th, 2021, Register at https://bit.ly/3mplqIK Re-Read Saturday News In Chapter 1, The Age of Software, Kersten established that we were at or just past a turning point; those that do not embrace change will face grave difficulties surviving to the next cycle. As a consultant, I work with companies wrestling with trying to transform. Not all succeed for a variety of reasons. In this chapter, the author highlights and compares the lessons derived from his visit to the BMW plant, his study of the development of the Boeing Dreamliner, and the transformation failures at Nokia and a large bank. Buy a copy today https://amzn.to/2WztOuE This Week's Installment: Week 1: Foreword and Introduction - https://bit.ly/39gIt0A Week 2: Age of Software - https://bit.ly/2XYvqyI Week 3: From Project to Product - https://bit.ly/3mhwJBb Next SPaMCAST Next week, Jonathan Lee and I discuss Disciplined Agile. DA is an approach to scaling agile development. We will discuss how DA is different from other approaches and when Johnathan would recommend using DA.

Luis Gonçalves and I talked about his new book introducing the ADAPT Methodology. We discussed why using a framework can help leaders stay relevant. Our conversation dovetails nicely into the Re-read Saturday focus on Project to Product. There is a lot of synergy between the ideas of Kersten and Gonçalves. 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 assess the 5 main pillars of their organization by identifying gaps that are required for them to succeed as a modern and digital leaders. He has been successfully involved in the software industry since 2003 and his company blog https://www.adaptmethodology.com/ is considered a 'must-read' for everyone in the software development industry. Upcoming Events The Agile Online Summit! Tom Henricksen delivers one of the most innovative online conferences. This year he has upped the bar again! While you can attend the Summit for free, there are a number of innovative options to learn even more from the Summit, the early bird pricing on those options is nearly gone. Please join the premier Agile Online Conference from October 25th to 27th, 2021, Register at https://bit.ly/3mplqIK Re-Read Saturday News Chapter 1 begins Part 1 of Project to Product (there are 3 parts to the book). This part of the book introduces the Flow Framework, the core of the book. The graphic showing the whole model is the first thing you see when you open this part of the book which anchors the importance of the model for the rest of the book. Buy a copy today This Week's Installment: Week 1: Foreword and Introduction - https://bit.ly/39gIt0A Week 2: Age of Software - https://bit.ly/2XYvqyI Next SPaMCAST Next week, an essay titled, What is Agile. There are a few things that just need to be said. For example, just because you are doing ceremonies doesn't make you agile and might just make you fragile. In addition, Susan Parente will bring her I'm Not A Scrumdamentalist column to the podcast.

As a coach, I use and observe transactive memory all the time. Used wisely, transactive memory means a team can be more than the sum of its individual members. Mess it up and you might as well put your hand in a running garbage disposal. For example, my wife remembers things like special events and then clues me in…if she is around. This year I missed an important birthday. Coaches and Scrum Masters often act as the official process memory for teams until they move on . . . you can guess what happens next. This week we explore when transactive memory works and when it does not. Also, Jeremy Berriault and I discuss helping improve Daily Scrums in his QA Corner column. Note: I have been made aware that SPaMCAST 667 is missing in action. I am trying to track the issue down. Upcoming Events The Agile Online Summit! Tom Henricksen delivers one of the most innovative online conferences. This year he has upped the bar again! Please join the premier Agile Online Conference from October 25th to 27th, 2021, Register at https://bit.ly/3mplqIK Re-Read Saturday News This week we begin our re-read of Mik Kersten's Project to Product. I am reading from my Kindle version published by IT Revolution (buy a copy). Today we are tackling the front matter which includes the Foreword by Gene Kim (author of the DevOps Handbook) and the Introduction, which is titled the Turning Point. In past re-reads, I have argued strongly that jumping immediately to the core of a book is a mistake, I again urge you not to make that mistake. Buy a copy today https://amzn.to/3nHC5YK This Week's Installment: Week 1: Foreword and Introduction - https://bit.ly/39gIt0A Next SPaMCAST Next week we discuss the ADAPT Methodology with Luis Gonçalves. We discussed how using a framework can help leaders stay relevant. Based on the discussion of long-wave economic models in this week's Re-read Saturday, Mr. Gonçalves' ideas provide a useful framework for building a more robust change model as we approach a more competitive part of the long-term cycle. It is exciting to see the explosion of new ideas synthesizing practical experience and theory coming to market. A Luis points out, perhaps the lockdowns during the pandemic have a silver lining.