Software Process and Measurement Cast

SPaMCAST 463 features our essay on using big picture stories to generate resonance.  Early in the history of Agile, most descriptions of Agile included the need to define a central metaphor to help guide the work.  Somewhere over time, the idea of a central metaphor has disappeared as Agile thought leaders have focused on more tactical facets of Agile methods and frameworks. It’s time to reconsider the big picture story! We will also have columns from Gene Hughson of Form Follows Function fame.  Gene and I discuss his recent essay, .  This essay is about the meaning and includes an appearance from . Anchoring the cast, Jeremy Berriault brings the QA Corner to the podcast.  Jeremy and I discussed motivating testers. Testers like any other discipline require the correct care and feeding to effectively deliver value. Here is a promo for my upcoming ITMPI Webinar! Wed, Oct 18, 2017, 11:00 AM (EST) Product Owners In Agile – The Really Hard Role In this webinar, you will learn why an Agile team’s product owner has a special obligation for leadership and value delivery.  It's a hard role but we will discuss making it work! ⇒ For other events, SPaMCAST team members will be attending check the recent blog entry titled Re-Read Saturday News This week we take a quick break to deliver a review of The Goal: A Business Graphic Novel. In the review I sought to answer three questions: Is the material true to the original author's ideas? Are critical concepts easier to consume? Do the characters translate from text to pictures well? Next in the Re-read Series is  . . . . Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability: An Introduction by Daniel S. Vacanti (Author) Dead Tree Book https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098643633X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=098643633X&linkCode=as2&tag=softprocandme-20&linkId=3488b22252fbe0c99b33ea226f9dcdf5 Kindle https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013ZQ5TUQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B013ZQ5TUQ&linkCode=as2&tag=softprocandme-20&linkId=f5bdfb462b1cb570344bba7dff6e3c37 Get your copy and begin reading (or re-reading)! A Call To Action The Software Process and Measurement Cast needs your help!  Please give the SPaMCAST a short, honest review in iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you are listening.  If you leave a review somewhere, please send a copy to we will call you out on the show!  Reviews help guide people to the cast and blog! If you interested in promoting your conference or event on the Software Process and Measurement Cast please reach out to us at to discuss how that can happen! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 464 will feature our interview with Beth Leonard.  Beth and I talked about innovative thinking, risk-based reviews and making the software development process more effective and efficient.   Beth is one of the most innovative and forward thinkers we have talked with on the podcast. Shameless Ad for my book! co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: “This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book nglish and Chinese.

SPaMCAST 462 features our interview with Jon M Quigley  We discussed his new book . Jon co-authored the book with Roopa Shenoy. The book and the ideas in the book are relevant to all types of projects whether they use Agile or not!  A fun and informative conversation! Jon’s Bio: Jon M. Quigley PMP CTFL is a principal and founding member of Value Transformation, a product development training and cost improvement organization established in 2009, as well as being an Electrical / Electronic Process Manager at Volvo Trucks North America.  Jon has an Engineering Degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and two Master Degrees from the City University of Seattle.  Jon has nearly twenty-five years of product development experience, ranging from embedded hardware and software through verification and project management. Jon has written or contributed to a huge number of books, presentations, and articles including: ISBN 978-0768080773 ISBN 978-148222935 Contact Jon at: jon.quigley@valuetransform.com Here is a promo for my upcoming ITMPI Webinar! Wed, Oct 18, 2017, 11:00 AM (EST) Product Owners In Agile – The Really Hard Role In this webinar, you will learn why an Agile team’s product owner has a special obligation for leadership and value delivery.  It's a hard role but we will discuss making it work! ⇒ For other events, SPaMCAST team members will be attending check the recent blog entry titled   Re-Read Saturday News This week Steven completes Paul Gibbons’ book .  Steven delivers final thoughts. Special thanks to Steven for tackling the re-read duties for the past thirteen weeks.   Next in the Re-read Series is  . . . . Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability: An Introduction by Daniel S. Vacanti (Author) Dead Tree Book https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098643633X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=098643633X&linkCode=as2&tag=softprocandme-20&linkId=3488b22252fbe0c99b33ea226f9dcdf5 Kindle https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013ZQ5TUQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B013ZQ5TUQ&linkCode=as2&tag=softprocandme-20&linkId=f5bdfb462b1cb570344bba7dff6e3c37 Get your copy and begin reading (or re-reading)! A Call To Action The Software Process and Measurement Cast needs your help!  Please give the SPaMCAST a short, honest review in iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you are listening.  If you leave a review somewhere, please send a copy to we will call you out on the show!  Reviews help guide people to the cast and blog! If you interested in promoting your conference or event on the Software Process and Measurement Cast please reach out to us at to discuss how that can happen! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 463 will feature our essay on using big picture stories to generate resonance.  Early in the history of Agile, most descriptions of Agile included the need to define a central metaphor to help guide the work.  Somewhere over time, the idea of a central metaphor has disappeared as Agile thought leaders have focused on more tactical facets of Agile methods and frameworks. It’s time to reconsider the big picture story! We will also have columns from Gene Hughson (Form Follows Function)  and Jeremy Berriault (QA Corner). Shameless Ad for my book! co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: “This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book nglish and Chinese.

SPaMCAST 461 features our essay - Agile -- Leadership Required.  For an Agile transformation to be effective and then stay effective there are four cornerstones of Agile leadership constancy that must be addressed with passion and constancy of purpose. Our second column this week is from Kim Pries (The Software Sensei). Kim fills in the middle of the cast with a discussion of the conceptual skills a software developer should have. To be good in this industry you need to be more than a set of coding languages or testing techniques.   Steve Tendon, brings chapter 19 of Tame The Flow: Hyper-Productive Knowledge-Work Performance, The TameFlow Approach and Its Application to Scrum and Kanban published J Ross (). We tackle Chapter 19, which is titled Understanding Common Cause Variation.  Steve share insights that caused me to rethink the whole idea of common cause variation. Here is a promo for my appearance during the Denver Startup Week.  On Thursday, September 28th at 8 AM I will be sharing Storytelling: Developing the Big Picture for Agile Efforts.  The presentation, in Denver, Colorado, will be at held at Industry.  !!!! A well-done Agile project reminds us that the focus of any set of requirements needs to be on an outcome rather than a collection of “whats” and “whos”. Storytelling is a powerful tool to elevate even the most diehard requirements analyst from a discussion of individual requirements to a discussion of outcomes. Attend this session and learn how to peel away the proverbial layers of the backlog evolution “onion” by using storytelling techniques to understand the big picture. Perfect for PMs and leaders of any agile driven project. For other events, SPaMCAST team members will be attending check the recent blog entry titled   Re-Read Saturday News This week Steven completes Chapter 9 of Paul Gibbons’ book .  Chapter 9 is the capstone of the book, putting all of the pieces-parts together.  Steve sums the chapter up and ties a bow on it!  We will have a final wrap up next week then . . . I will hold the poll open for a few more days.  Currently, we seem to be experiencing a slugfest between Vacanti and Senge; however, I am starting to see rally flags for Kevin Kruse’s book! This week and previous installments:      A Call To Action The Software Process and Measurement Cast needs your help!  Please give the SPaMCAST a short, honest review in iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you are listening.  If you leave a review somewhere, please send a copy to we will call you out on the show!  Reviews help guide people to the cast and blog! If you interested in promoting your conference or event on the Software Process and Measurement Cast please reach out to us at to discuss how that can happen! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 462 will feature our interview with Jon M Quigley (remember him?)  We discussed his new book Project Management for Automotive Engineers. Jon co-authored the book with Roopa Shenoy. The book and the ideas in the book are relevant to all types of projects whether they use Agile or not!  A fun and informative conversation! Shameless Ad for my book! co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: “This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book nglish and Chinese.

SPaMCAST 460 features our interview with Peter Varhol.  Peter and I discussed machine learning and AI, and how it will impact software development and testing.  We also discussed how anyone can stay current and enhance their careers. Peter’s Bio Peter Varhol is a well-known writer and speaker on software and technology topics, having authored dozens of articles and spoken at a number of industry conferences and webcasts. He has advanced degrees in computer science, applied mathematics, and psychology, and is Principal at his company, Technology Strategy Research, LLC. His past roles include technology journalist, software product manager, software developer, and university professor. Twitter: Blog: Email: A promo for 2017 Agile Leadership Summit: Mark your calendar for an entirely new class of business conference. More "business theater" than a conference, the 2017 Agile Leadership Summit (September 22nd in Washington, DC) is sponsored by AgileCxO (). It features an integrated mix of six vignettes on Agile leadership, two fantastic industry keynotes, and onstage jazz musicians who are demonstrating agility, iteration, and excellence throughout. Learn more at . For other events, SPaMCAST team members will be attending check the recent blog entry titled Re-Read Saturday News This week Steven dives into Chapter 9 of Paul Gibbons’ book .  Chapter 9 is the capstone of the book, putting all of the pieces-parts together.  Steve is tackling Chapter 9 in two parts.  Two more weeks are left in this re-read. This week and previous installments:    A Call To Action The Software Process and Measurement Cast needs your help!  Please give the SPaMCAST a short, honest review in iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you are listening.  If you leave a review somewhere, please send a copy to we will call you out on the show!  Reviews help guide people to the cast and blog! If you interested in promoting your conference or event on the Software Process and Measurement Cast please reach out to us at to discuss how that can happen! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 461 will feature our essay on the four leadership concepts that can double the chances that your agile transformation will be effective.    We will also have columns from Kim Pries and Jon M Quigley! Shameless Ad for my book! co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: “This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book nglish and Chinese.

SPaMCAST 459 features our essay on resistance.  Organizational change is a common, almost ubiquitous, feature in today’s business world. Change is known under many monikers ranging from transformation to creative destruction.  The variety of names is a portent to the one constant in any organizational change: resistance.  Some resistance is inevitable, even if everyone is involved in the plan.Organizational change will always foment some degree of resistance that unless recognized can fester and lead to failure. This essay will help you find and mitigate the risk of resistance! The second column this week is from Gene Hughson and his Form Follows Function column. Gene discusses his essay titled . One of the gems Gene delivers in our discussion is that effectiveness requires reasoned, intentional action. While we might all agree, why is it so hard to remember that when push comes to shove in a project? Jeremy Berriault brings his r to the cast in order to discuss testing packages.  Jeremy weighs in on whether testing a package is any different than testing any other piece of code. A promo for 2017 Agile Leadership Summit: Mark your calendar for an entirely new class of business conference. More "business theater" than conference, the 2017 Agile Leadership Summit (September 22nd in Washington, DC) is sponsored by AgileCxO (). It features an integrated mix of six vignettes on Agile leadership, two fantastic industry keynotes, and onstage jazz musicians who are demonstrating agility, iteration, and excellence throughout. Learn more at . For other events, SPaMCAST team members will be attending check the recent blog entry titled Re-Read Saturday News This week Steven dives into Chapter 8 of Paul Gibbons’ book .  Change is a central activity of every organization.  Three more weeks are left Steven intends to spend two weeks on Chapter 9 and then we will have a grand finale.  Remember to use the link in the essay to buy a copy of the book to support the author, the podcast, and the blog! Special note – I will publish a poll for the next book early next week soon.  Are there other suggestions? The current list of suggestions are: Peter Senge – The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization Daniel S. Vacanti – Actionable Agile Metrics for Predictability (An Introduction) Kahneman – Thinking fast and slow Burrows – Kanban from the inside Kruse – 15 secrets successful people know about time management This week and previous installments:      A Call To Action You can help bring more listeners to the Software Process and Measurement Cast!  If you even got a single new idea this week while listening to the podcast, please give the SPaMCAST a short, honest review in iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you are listening.  If you leave a review somewhere, please send a copy to we will call you out on the show!  Reviews help guide people to the cast and blog! If you interested in promoting your conference or event on the Software Process and Measurement Cast please reach out to us at to discuss how that can happen! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 460 features our interview with Peter Varhol.  Peter and I discussed machine learning and how it will impact software development and testing.   Shameless Ad for my book! co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: “This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book nglish and Chinese.

SPaMCAST 458 features our interview with Billie Schuttpelz.  We discussed why many organizations need help learning to use agile and lean.  We delved into the role of the coach and facilitator in helping an organization change and shape the message of change.  If you are involved in organizational transformations this is a must-listen interview. Billie’s short bio: Billie is a ‘force of nature’ breaking up the boulders blocking transformation; building bridges between technical people and business partners. She applies the perspective gained in a 20 year career including engagements in 5 countries to provide dynamic creativity and positive energy to everything she does. Billie’s ability to make the impossible seem possible is what powers agile transformations. We also have a promo for 2017 Agile Leadership Summit: Mark your calendar for an entirely new class of business conference. More "business theater" than conference, the 2017 Agile Leadership Summit (September 22nd in Washington, DC) is sponsored by AgileCxO (). It features an integrated mix of six vignettes on Agile leadership, two fantastic industry keynotes, and onstage jazz musicians who are demonstrating agility, iteration, and excellence throughout. Learn more at . For other events, SPaMCAST team members will be attending check the recent blog entry titled Re-Read Saturday News This week Steven dives into Chapter 7 of Paul Gibbons’ book T.  Change is a central activity of every organization.  How changes happen is not as straightforward as commanding that change happens.  No one likes to be changed or manipulated.  Self-organization maximizes the impact of change but alas no change is like waving a magic wand. Remember to use the link in the essay to buy a copy of the book to support the author, the podcast, and the blog!    This week and previous installments:    A Call To Action You can help bring more listeners to the Software Process and Measurement Cast!  If you even got a single new idea this week while listening to the podcast, please give the SPaMCAST a short, honest review in iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you are listening.  If you leave a review somewhere, please send a copy to we will call you out on the show!  Reviews help guide people to the cast and blog! If you interested in promoting your conference or event on the Software Process and Measurement Cast please reach out to us at to discuss how that can happen! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 459 will feature our essay on resistance.  Organizational change is a common, almost ubiquitous, feature in today’s business world. Change is known under many monikers ranging from transformation to creative destruction.  The variety of names is a portent to the one constant in any organizational change, that of resistance.  Some resistance is inevitable even if everyone is involved in the plan. We will also have columns from Gene Hughson (Form Follows Function)  and Jeremy Berriault (QA Corner). Shameless Ad for my book! co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: “This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book nglish and Chinese.

SPaMCAST 457 features our essay on cognitive biases and their impact on decision making.  If you doubt the impact of biases on decision making, read chapter five of T (current Re-read Saturday Book) and listen to this week's podcast! Our second column this week is from Jon M Quigley (The Alpha and Omega of Product Development), Jon continues his theme of learning organizations with penetrating insight on how a learning organization evolves. Kim Pries (The Software Sensei) anchors the cast this week with a strong argument that if you want to improve the software you are delivering begin by hiring the right people! We also have a promo for 2017 Agile Leadership Summit: Mark your calendar for an entirely new class of business conference. More "business theater" than a conference, the 2017 Agile Leadership Summit (September 22nd in Washington, DC) is sponsored by AgileCxO (). It features an integrated mix of six vignettes on Agile leadership, two fantastic industry keynotes, and onstage jazz musicians who are demonstrating agility, iteration, and excellence throughout. Learn more at . Re-Read Saturday News This week Steven dives into Chapter 6 of Paul Gibbons’ book T.   There are a lot of techniques that I see used on a daily basis that are based on pop psychology. Confronting the true believers is often a lot like jousting at windmills. Remember to use the link in the essay to buy a copy of the book to support the author, the podcast, and the blog!    This week and previous installments:      A Call To Action You can help bring more listeners to the Software Process and Measurement Cast!  If you even got a single new idea this week while listening to the podcast, please give the SPaMCAST a short, honest review in iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you are listening.  If you leave a review somewhere, please send a copy to we will call you out on the show!  Reviews help guide people to the cast and blog! If you interested in promoting your conference or event on the Software Process and Measurement Cast please reach out to us at to discuss how that can happen! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 458 will feature our interview with Billie Schuttpelz.  We discussed why many organizations need help learning to use agile and lean.  We delved into the role of the facilitator helping an organization change and shaping the message.  If you are involved in organizational transformations this is a must-listen interview. Shameless Ad for my book! co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: “This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book nglish and Chinese.

SPaMCAST 456 features our interview with Jeff Dalton.  Jeff makes his fifth appearance as an interviewee. Jeff discussed leadership and whether leadership is more or less important in the Agile, dynamic world we find ourselves inhabiting.   Jeff Dalton is President of Broadsword, a Process Innovation firm, and Chief Evangelist at , an Agile Leadership Research and Development center that develops models for high-performing agile teams.  Jeff is the principal author of “A Guide to Scrum and CMMI,” published by the CMMI Institute, and is a SCAMPI Lead Appraiser and Certified Agile Leadership Consultant that specializes in software product development, self-organizing teams, and performance modeling.   Jeff’s previous appearances on the Software Process and Measurement Cast include   We also have a promo for 2017 Agile Leadership Summit: Mark your calendar for an entirely new class of business conference. More "business theater" than a conference, the 2017 Agile Leadership Summit (September 22nd in Washington, DC) is sponsored by AgileCxO (). It features an integrated mix of six vignettes on Agile leadership, two fantastic industry keynotes, and onstage jazz musicians who are demonstrating agility, iteration, and excellence throughout. Learn more at .   Re-Read Saturday News This week Steven dives into Chapter 5 of Paul Gibbons’ book T.  Cognitive biases are a topic that the Software Process and Measurement Blog has explored multiple times.  Cognitive biases are important decision-making tools.  Gibbons’ words have helped to crystallize our thinking on cognitive biases and logical fallacies in this chapter.   Remember to use the link in the essay to buy a copy of the book to support the author, the podcast, and the blog!    This week and previous installments:      A Call To Action You can help bring more listeners to the Software Process and Measurement Cast!  If you even got a single new idea this week while listening to the podcast, please give the SPaMCAST a short, honest review in iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you are listening.  If you leave a review somewhere, please send a copy to we will call you out on the show!  Reviews help guide people to the cast and blog! If you interested in promoting your conference or event on the Software Process and Measurement Cast please reach out to us at to discuss how that can happen! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 457 will feature our most recent essay on cognitive biases and their impact on decision making.  If you doubt the impact of biases on decision making, read chapter five of T then listen to next week's podcast! We will also have columns from Jon M Quigley (The Alpha and Omega of Product Development) and Kim Pries (The Software Sensei).   Shameless Ad for my book! co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: “This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book nglish and Chinese.

SPaMCAST 455 features our interview with Michael King.  We talked about Michael’s approach to Agile, process improvement and the CMMI at Halfaker and Associates.  Michael provides a glimpse into making a change in the real world.  Mr. King delivers more than just theory.  One word describes the interview - insightful. Michael’s Bio: Michael King serves as Chief Technology Officer at Halfaker and Associates (), leading customer solution architecture, internal IT operations, business process architecture, and quality management activities.  Michael has 14 years of systems engineering, project management, and process design experience within the Federal contracting industry.  He has previously served as Halfaker’s Chief Operating Officer.  Prior to Halfaker, Michael worked within Lockheed Martin’s Critical Infrastructure Protection group, providing system engineering support related to identity management, physical security, and cyber security.  Michael holds a Bachelors in Computer Engineering from the University of Virginia, a Masters in Information Systems and Technology from Johns Hopkins, and several professional certifications (PMP, PMI-ACP, SAFe SA).  Michael King writes about organization design, Agile, and process management at . Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikehking LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehking/D Re-Read Saturday News This week Steven dives into Chapter 3 of Paul Gibbons’ book T.  This chapter has provided me several sleepless nights considering the difference between complicated and complex systems.  Understanding the difference is important making change happen, work, and stick!  Remember to use the link in the essay to buy a copy of the book to support the author, the podcast, and the blog!   This week and previous installments:      A Call To Action You can help bring more listeners to the Software Process and Measurement Cast!  If you even got a single new idea this week while listening to the podcast, please give the SPaMCAST a short, honest review in iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you are listening.  If you leave a review somewhere, please send a copy to we will call you out on the show!  Reviews help guide people to the cast and blog! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 456 will feature our interview with Jeff Dalton. We are going back to the even episode paradigm (even number episodes will be interviews)  beginning next week.  Jeff discussed leadership and whether leaderships more or less important in the Agile, dynamic world we find ourselves inhabiting.     Shameless Ad for my book! co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: “This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book nglish and Chinese.

SPaMCAST 454 features three columns!  The first is our essay and checklists on iteration planning. Aristotle stated that “well begun is half done.”  While we might argue the half part, planning is required to be well begun and that is important on any measurement scale. Jeremy Berriault delivers a new entry in the  QA Corner.  In this installment of the QA Corner, we discuss the function of a QA Lead. Check out Jeremy’s blog at the ! Gene Hughson anchors the cast with his Form Follows Function blog to the SPaMCAST to discuss the entry,   Gene begins with the contentious topic of legacy systems. Re-Read Saturday News We continue re-reading .  Steven Adams is leading this re-read.  In this week’s entry, we cover the introduction to Part 2 and chapter 3.  Gibbon’s takes us down the path of strategy and uncertainty. Remember to buy .    This week and previous installments:      A Call To Action You can help bring more listeners to the Software Process and Measurement Cast!  If you even got a single new idea this week while listening to the podcast, please give the SPaMCAST a short, honest review in iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you are listening.  If you leave a review somewhere, please send a copy to .  Reviews help guide people to the cast! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 455 will feature our interview with Michael King.  We talked about his approach to Agile, process improvement and the CMMI at Halfaker and Associates.  When you deliver contracting and consulting, effectiveness for your clients it is the bottom line that matters.    Shameless Ad for my book! co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: “This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book nglish and Chinese.