Software Process and Measurement Cast

Software Process and Measurement Cast 482 features our interview with Natalie Warnert.  We talked about the diversity of voice, thoughts and ideas and Women in Agile.  Developing ideas and solving problems is the reason for software development, project management, process improvement, business systems analysis -- just about everything in life is about solving problems.  Diversity helps us to generate better ideas and decisions.   Bio Natalie Warnert is the primary founder of the Women in Agile initiative, which enables, empowers, and expands the distribution of new and diverse ideas in the agile and technology communities worldwide. She is a frequent speaker on business and agile topics including product strategy, user experience, and emotional intelligence. Her strategy focuses on actions you can implement tomorrow for the immediate impact that track toward longer-term vision and outcomes. Natalie also brings unparalleled humor to all her engagements (or so she thinks). Natalie is passionate about guiding companies as they design, execute, and support their approach to cultural change as a Principal Agile Consultant at CA Technologies. Her vast thought leadership experience is recognized by her numerous keynotes, podcasts, and publications. Natalie has earned various degrees and certifications over the past decade including her Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, SAFe Program Consultant, Certified Scrum Professional, and Six Sigma Yellow Belt. For more of Natalie’s work please visit Re-Read Saturday News This week we tackled Chapter 15 of Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability: An Introduction by Daniel S. Vacanti. Chapter 15 is titled Monte Carlo Method Introduction.   Remember to b, and we will be back next week! What is next? Vote in the poll to pick the next book!   Vote for two books! [polldaddy poll=9941343]   Previous Installments Week 13: Interpreting Cycle Time Scatterplots   Dead Tree Book Kindle Get your copy and begin reading (or re-reading)! Upcoming Webinars and Conferences Using Size to Drive Testing in Agile Tom Cagley & Associates and Sealights Webinar Tue, Mar 13, 2018 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM EDT May 21-25, 2018, San Antonio, Texas May 11 Rome, Italy I will also be at Agile West.  More information next week! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAT 483 will feature our essay on measuring the value delivered by agile. We also have columns from Steve Tendon and Jon M Quigley.

SPaMCAST 481 will feature our essay on the Life Cycle of A User Story.  A user story - a brief, simple requirement statement from the user’s perspective - tends to follow a loose life cycle.  That life often begins even before the word ‘user story’ gets mentioned and typically by people that don’t understand (or care to understand) the concept of a user story. We zoom in from 40,000 ft down to user stories in 500 or so words!   Read other entries on user stories by following this link: The second column this week is from Kim Pries, the Software Sensei, Kim discusses using the Extended Backus-Naur Form as a tool to extract information out of nebulous text. Last but not least, Jeremy Berriault brings his QA Corner to the cast.  In this entry, Jeremy discusses why QAs/testers should be given space to manage their own workflow. Jeremy has recently moved the QA Corner to Re-Read Saturday News This week we tackled Chapter 14 of Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability: An Introduction by Daniel S. Vacanti. Chapter 14 is titled Introduction to Forecasting.  Predictability and forecasting are intimately related! Remember to b, and we will be back next week! One note: we are on Chapter 14 today out of 17. So, after today, we have approximately four more weeks. As a result, we will have to choose another book in the next couple of weeks.  I have received some suggestions, and I have also asked the interviewees that appeared in the Software Process and Measurement Podcast in 2017 which was the most impactful book they have read. I would also like your input. What do you suggest that we read next?   Previous Installments Week 13: Interpreting Cycle Time Scatterplots Dead Tree Book Kindle Get your copy and begin reading (or re-reading)! Upcoming Webinars Using Size to Drive Testing in Agile Tom Cagley & Associates and Sealights Webinar Tue, Mar 13, 2018 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM EDT Link to register will come soon! I will also be at QAI Quest, ISMA 15 and Agile West.  More information next week! Next SPaMCAST In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 482 we will feature our interview with Natalie Warnet.  We talked about the diversity of voice, thoughts and ideas and Women in Agile.

Author and consultant Paul Gibbons discusses the challenges of organizational change, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based approaches. Topics include behavioral change, meeting effectiveness, and rational decision-making. Gibbons also introduces his podcast, focusing on human endeavors and evidence-based decision-making.

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 479 has three columns. The first column features a recent essay on the difference between a coach and a mentor in the form of a simple checklist. Which do you need? Check out the other three entries in this theme on the . Our second column features Steve Tendon who brings his Tame The Flow: Hyper-Productive Knowledge-Work Performance, The TameFlow Approach and Its Application to Scrum and Kanban to the cast (). Chapter 20 and 21 are extremely important to understanding and applying the TameFlow approach, therefore, we are spending time with the author to get to the heart of the concepts. Anchoring the cast is Jon M Quigley returning with his column, Alpha and Omega of Product Development. Jon and I discussed why employee engagement is more than an academic topic. Advertisement Thanks for all of your best wishes on the launch of Tom Cagley & Associates.  Our goal is to work with organizations and teams to unlock their inherent greatness. As experienced thought leaders, we have studied a wide range of organizations to uncover what makes them the best at what they do. By delivering training, guidance, and coaching we can help make the transformation of your organization and team a success - and prove it.  Lets talk! Email: Phone: 01 (440) 668-5717   Re-Read Saturday News This week we tackled Chapter 12 of Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability: An Introduction by Daniel S. Vacanti. Chapter 12 is titled Service Level Agreements. Service Level Agreements (SLA) are an agreement to perform within certain limits based on past performance.  SLAs can be derived based on data visualization. Remember to b, and we will be back next week! Previous Installments Week 13: Interpreting Cycle Time Scatterplots Dead Tree Book Kindle   Get your copy and begin reading (or re-reading)!   Upcoming Webinars February 2nd, 2018 - 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (CST) The International Institute for Software Testing Organizational change will be difficult at best without proper leadership. There are four leadership concepts that can double the chances that your agile transformation will be effective and stay that way!   February 6, 2018 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM CST AGILE best practices for STARTUPS If you are in the San Antonio area, please RSVP guys and this will help the organizers plan.  I will have opening remarks on business agility and then will focus on the questions and comments from the assembly! Next SPaMCASTSPaMCAST 480 will feature our interview with Paul Gibbons.  Paul and I had a wide-ranging discussion that began with his wonderful book The Science of Successful Organization Change, and led us to the broader conversation: that change is hard but it is even harder if we fall prey to magical thinking.

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 478 features our interview with Evan Leybourn.  Evan is back to discuss his new venture, The Business Agility Institute. Agile is not just for software anymore! Bio Evan is the Founder and CEO of the Business Agility Institute; an international membership body to both champions and supports the next generation of organizations. Companies that are agile, innovative and dynamic - perfectly designed to thrive in today’s unpredictable markets. We connect leaders across industries and regions to share their experiences and insights with each other. Our flagship event, the Business Agility Conference will run in New York from March 14th. Evan is also the author of Directing the Agile Organisation and will soon be publishing his next book on #noprojects. Business Agility Institute: Business Agility Conference: Directing the Agile Organisation:   Re-Read Saturday News This week we tackled Chapter 11 of Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability: An Introduction by Daniel S. Vacanti. Chapter 11 is titled Interpreting Cycle Time Scatterplots. Visualization and patterns are a powerful way of visualizing data. Remember to b, and we will be back next week! Previous Installments Week 13: Interpreting Cycle Time Scatterplots   Dead Tree Book   Kindle Get your copy and begin reading (or re-reading)! Advertisement The SPaMCAST 478 is sponsored by Tom Cagley & Associates.   I have some very exciting news. As you know, I have spent the last ten years as part of Premios (formerly known as David Consulting Group and DCG Software Value). It is time for a change.   As of January 16th, Tom Cagley & Associates begins business. Our goal is to work with organizations and teams to unlock their inherent greatness. As experienced thought leaders, we have studied a wide range of organizations to uncover what makes them the best at what they do. By delivering training, guidance, and coaching we can help make the transformation of your organization and team a success - and prove it.   Lets talk! Email: Phone: 01 (440) 668-5717 Upcoming Webinars January 25, 2018 11 AM EST - 12:30 EST ITMPI In this webinar, you will learn about the four leadership concepts that can double the chances that your agile transformation will be effective. February 2nd, 2018 - 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (CST) The International Institute for Software Testing Organizational change will be difficult at best without proper leadership. There are four leadership concepts that can double the chances that your agile transformation will be effective and stay that way! February 6, 2018 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM CST AGILE best practices for STARTUPS If you are in the San Antonio area, please RSVP guys and this will help the organizers plan.  I will have opening remarks on business agility and then will focus on the questions and comments from the assembly! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 478 will feature our essay, “You Know it is Virtual Agile When …”  Just because someone says they are agile or are doing stand-ups doesn’t mean they really have embraced agile.   We will also have columns from Steve Tendon who brings his Tame The Flow: Hyper-Productive Knowledge-Work Performance, The TameFlow Approach and Its Application to Scrum and Kanban  () to the cast.  Also, Jon M Quigley will return with his column, Alpha and Omega of Product Development.

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 477 features our essay on silence.  Silence is a powerful tool to guide conversations and mine information from the stream of consciousness that flows around us. If silence was just a tool to improve our connections with people and to improve listening, it would be worth practicing. But, silence is also a tool to peer deeper into our minds. Silence improves relaxation and helps individuals to focus.  Trust me the podcast is not 30 minutes of silence! We will also have a column from Kim Pries, the Software Sensi.  Kim brings us part one of his essay, Muddling Through.  The essay is based on the article, “" by Charles E. Lindblom.  The article was originally published in 1959 but has an important message that resonates now. Gene Hughson of Form Follows Function anchors the cast.  He discusses his great article, “” Gene suggests that the problem with the term “monolith” is that, while it’s a powerfully evocative term, it isn’t a simple one to define.   Re-Read Saturday News This week we tackled Chapter 10a of Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability: An Introduction by Daniel S. Vacanti. Histograms are another powerful way of visualizing data Remember to b, and we will be back next week!  The link:  Previous Installments   Dead Tree Book Kindle Get your copy and begin reading (or re-reading)!   Upcoming Webinars January 25, 2018 11 AM EST - 12:30 EST ITMPI In this webinar, you will learn about the four leadership concepts that can double the chances that your agile transformation will be effective. February 2nd, 2018 - 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (CST) The International Institute for Software Testing Organizational change will be difficult at best without proper leadership. There are four leadership concepts that can double the chances that your agile transformation will be effective and stay that way! February 6, 2018 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM CST AGILE best practices for STARTUPS If you are in the San Antonio area, please RSVP guys and this will help the organizers plan.  I will have opening remarks on business agility and then will focus on the questions and comments from the assembly! More next week!   Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 478 will feature our interview with Evan Leybourn.  Evan is back to discuss his new venture, The Business Agility Institute. Agile is not just for software anymore!

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 476 features our interview with Kyle Siemens.  Kyle is CEO at Brightest. We discussed the case for certifications. The whole concept of certifications is a lightning rod for the excesses of agile and the Agile (big A) industry.  Mr. Siemens makes a strong argument for certification when done properly. Kyle’s Bio Kyle Siemens is an energetic, loyal and hard-working Canadian from Winnipeg, Manitoba. After completing my Bachelor's degree at the University of Manitoba in German literature and mathematics, I moved to Berlin in 2006 with a DAAD scholarship and got my Masters in communication and languages. After working several years at various agencies (running campaigns for national and international brands), I stumbled upon an incredible path by chance, which led me to where I am today - Online Marketing Volunteer of the TMMi Foundation and CEO of a global ISTQB exam provider called Brightest: . Reach out to Kyle on Re-Read Saturday News This week we tackled Chapter 10 of Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability: An Introduction by Daniel S. Vacanti. Today we begin Part 3 with Chapter 10 which is titled, Introduction to Cycle Time Scatterplots. Scatterplots take us beyond the analysis of average cycle time (or even approximate average cycle time).  Scatterplots provide a visual representation of the data so we can begin to use the data to predict the future.  Remember to b, and we will be back next week! Previous Installments Support the author (and the blog), buy a copy of Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability: An Introduction by Daniel S. Vacanti Dead Tree Book Kindle Get your copy and begin reading (or re-reading)! Upcoming Webinars January 25, 2018 11 AM EST - 12:30 EST In this webinar, you will learn about the four leadership concepts that can double the chances that your agile transformation will be effective. Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 477 features our essay on silence.  Silence is a powerful tool to guide conversations and mine information from the stream of consciousness that flows around us. If silence was just a tool to improve our connections with people and to improve listening, it would be worth practicing. But, silence is also a tool to peer deeper into our minds. Silence improves relaxation and helps individuals to focus. We will also have columns from Kim Pries the Software Sensi and Gene Hughson of Form Follows Function.

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 475 features the majority of the SPaMCAST Crew in a round-robin discussion.  The recording session covered three topics; however, today we tackle the first topic: Whether agile can be used in other parts of the business.  We will return to the next two topics in February!  Six people with strong opinions. It is a pretty amazing discussion. Voices you often hear on the SPaMCAST include this cast of incredible minds: (Architecture) (Quality Assurance) (Software Development) (Lean and Kanban) (Product Development) - not on this week’s cast (Agile Practitioner) Re-Read Saturday News This week we take a break from our re-read of Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability: An Introduction by Daniel S. Vacanti. Remember to b, and we will be back next week! Dead Tree Book Kindle Get your copy and begin reading (or re-reading)! Upcoming Webinars January 25, 2018 11 AM EST - 12:30 EST In this webinar, you will learn about the four leadership concepts that can double the chances that your agile transformation will be effective. Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 476 features our interview with Kyle Siemens.  Kyle is CEO at Brightest.  We discussed the case for certifications. The whole concept of certifications is a lightning rod for the excesses of agile and the Agile (big A) industry.  Mr. Siemens makes a strong argument for certification when done properly.

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 474 features our interview with Tom Henricksen.  Tom recently organized and executed the Agile Online Summit that I participated in.  We get behind the scene story about how the Summit came together and how it enhanced the Agile community! Tom’s Bio Tom Henricksen is a speaker and career coach who leads others to turn their dreams into plans. Throughout Tom’s career, he has learned firsthand how hard it can be to find a good career match. As a result of his trials, he’s created a simple process designed to help find a career that inspires passion, encourages optimal performance, and results in profit. Website: Online Agile Summit: Twitter: Facebook: LinkedIn: Re-Read Saturday News Chapter 9 of Daniel S. Vacanti’s Actionable is titled, “Flow Debt.”  In this chapter, we use the approximate average cycle time to guide teams and other stakeholders to ask good questions so that the flow of value can be improved!  ! Catch up on the all the installments of Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability: An Introduction Dead Tree Book Kindle Get your copy and begin reading (or re-reading)! A Call To Action I still need a few more leaders of Agile PMOs for a special podcast and for background interviews.  Please contact me to discuss the topic at if you are interested in telling me your story! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 475 features the majority of the SPaMCAST Crew in a round-robin discussion.  Six people with strong opinions, three tough topics and lots of note-taking  This is one of my favorite moments of the podcast year.  Topics included the extensibility of Agile to other parts of the business, why do software development leaders spend so much time telling developers how to do their job and what is keeping us from consistently delivering quality. Pretty amazing!

SPaMCAST 473 features our essay on 6 Important Flow Metrics!  Getting the most value out of a process is important to any leader.  Balancing getting the most value with getting value sooner complicates the discussion.  In some cases, getting some value sooner is worth more than the same value delivered later.  Guiding the delivery of value is more complicated than a rank ordering a list of user stories and then magically hoping that everything will happen in the most effective and efficient manner possible.  Measurement is an important tool to help teams and organizations ask the right questions.  The 6 flow metrics provide process transparency into organizations that leverage continuous flow, scrumban, and/or Scrum as the basis for their Agile implementations. We will also complete our discussion of part 3 (3 of 3) of chapter 20 of Tame The Flow: Hyper-Productive Knowledge-Work Performance, The TameFlow Approach and Its Application to Scrum and Kanban  (). Re-Read Saturday News This week,  we tackle Chapter 8 of Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability: An Introduction by Daniel S. Vacanti. Chapter 8 is titled, Conversion of Flow Part II.  Remember that requirement in Little’s Law.that work that enters the process, completes and leaves.  We do a deeper dive on why that is important.  ! Catch up on the all the installments of Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability: An Introduction   Buy a Copy! Dead Tree Book Kindle Get your copy and begin reading (or re-reading)!   A Call To Action I still need a few more leaders of Agile PMOs for a special podcast and for background interviews.  Please contact me to discuss the topic at if you are interested in telling me your story! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 474 features our interview with Tom Henricksen.  Tom recently organized and executed the Agile Online Summit that I participated in.  We get behind the scene story about how the Summit came together and how it enhanced the Agile community!