Software Process and Measurement Cast

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast includes three columns! The first is our essay on Agile Project Charters. Project charters, done correctly, can play an extremely important role in the initiation of projects. The essay lays out how Agile projects can get the benefit of a project charter, without the bloat and shelfware that often get attached to project charters. Software process and Measurement Cast 365 also features the return of the Software Sensei with a discussion of improvisation in software development. Kim Pries writes, “Many people think improvising means making things up, on the spot, without any advance preparation. I prefer a different definition: creating something special from whatever ordinary ingredients happen to be available. I would suggest we can go beyond this definition—good improvisation is a sign of mastery of one’s craft. Furthermore, truly great improvisation always involves ensembles (i.e., leave your ego at the door).” A powerful and important essay for anyone interested in delivering software. Finally, Gene Hughson brings a new installment from his Form Follows Function blog to the Software Process and Measurement Cast with a discussion of his entry titled, “Maybe It’s Time for Customer-Driven Development.” Gene reminds us that the point of all work is pleasing a customer. That is a reminder that we all need to hear over and over and over to ensure it sticks! Call to Action! Review the SPaMCAST on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcatcher/player and then share the review! Help your friends find the Software Process and Measurement Cast. After all, friends help friends find great podcasts! Re-Read Saturday News Remember that the Re-Read Saturday of The Mythical Man-Month returns this week when we tackle the essay titled “Hatching a Catastrophe!” Check out the new installment at Software Process and Measurement Blog. Upcoming Events Agile Development Conference East November 8-13, 2015 Orlando, Florida http://adceast.techwell.com/ I will be speaking on November 12th on the topic of Agile Risk. Let me know if you are going and we will have a SPaMCAST Meetup. Next SPaMCAST The next Software Process and Measurement Cast features my interview with Jeff Dalton. Jeff returns to the Software Process and Measurement Cast to discuss the attributes of successful organizations. There are a relatively small set of attributes that successful organizations exhibit. These attribute don’t occur by accident, but rather are a reflection of hard work and consistency of purpose. We can all reflect and adopt these attributes in our pursuit of success. Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques 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, neither for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

I am still on vacation (at least for a few more hours), and this week we have another mixtape for you. This week I have included the responses to the “if you could fix any two (or sometimes one) things” question I ask at the end every interview from the three most downloaded interviews of 2014. The top three were: SPaMCAST 302 featured Larry Maccherone. Larry’s two wishes were: That we unlearn the natural tendency to look at how a number can be gamed rather than how it can be used. That he had access to all data and infinite time to analyze the data. Listen to the whole interview with Larry! SPaMCAST 318 featured Rob Cross. Rob wished that: Organizations would realize it is not the tools rather it is the data that counts. Organizations need to change their culture to focus on security. Listen to the whole interview! SPaMCAST 310 featured the return of Mike Burrows. Mike only had one wish this time: Development organizations need to embrace balance as a value. Mike made the list two years in a row! Listen to the whole interview with Mike. If these excerpts tickled your fancy listen to the whole interview by clicking on the links shown above. Next week we will return to regular programming with our essay on Agile Project Charters.

I am on vacation for a two weeks and could not leave you without some Monday morning mind candy, therefore, we are doing two very special shows this week and next. This week I have included the responses to the “if you could fix any two (or sometimes just one) things” question I ask at the end every interview from the three most downloaded interviews of 2013. The top three and one extra were:: SPaMCAST 224 featured Mike Burrows. Mike focused his wishes on: Changes agents need to take their role as change agents seriously. Delay is expensive. Link: http://spamcast.libsyn.com/s-pa-mcast-224-mike-burrows-kanban-values SPaMCAST 246 featured Tobias Mayer. Tobias focused his wish on: People, not management or consultants, need to own scrum. (One wish was enough for Tobias) Link: http://spamcast.libsyn.com/s-pa-mcast-246-tobias-mayer-t-he-people-s-scrum SPaMCAST 270 featured Alan Shalloway. Alan focused his two wishes on: Everyone needs to acknowledge there are laws of software development. Assuming that everyone involved in delivering software is highly motivated. Link: http://spamcast.libsyn.com/s-pa-mcast-270-alan-shalloway-sa-fe-lean-kanban And just because I could . . . a bit of lagniappe, SPaMCAST 138 Featured Jo Ann Sweeney. Jo Ann focused her wishes on: Reminding the listeners that change often starts before IT starts a project there we need to listen carefully to the stakeholders. Project teams should care about end users. Link: http://spamcast.libsyn.com/s-pa-mcast-138-jo-ann-sweeney-communication If these excerpts tickled your fancy listen to the whole interview by clicking on the links shown above. Next week the best excerpts from 2014!

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast features our interview with Chris Nurre. Chris is a developer and Agile Coach extraordinaire. We explored the role of an Agile coach from the point of view of someone that is actively involved in delivering code, both technically and as a change agent. Chris likes to keep his bio short and sweet: Chris is an Agile coach, Apple developer and Clevelander. Co-organizer of Cleveland Agile Group #CleAG Chris’s contact data:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/chris-nurre/4/322/22bTwitter: http://twitter.com/cnurreEmail: chris@atinytribe.com Call to Action! Review the SPaMCAST on ITunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcatcher/player and then share the review! Help your friends find the Software Process and Measurement Cast. After all, friends help friends find great podcasts! Re-Read Saturday News Remember that the Re-Read Saturday of The Mythical Man-Month is in full swing. This week we tackle the essay titled “The Whole and the Parts”! Check out the new installment at Software Process and Measurement Blog. Upcoming Events Agile Development Conference EastNovember 8-13, 2015Orlando, Floridahttp://adceast.techwell.com/ I will be speaking on November 12th on the topic of Agile Risk. Let me know if you are going and we will have a SPaMCAST Meetup. Agile Philly - AgileTour 2015October 5, 2015http://www.agilephilly.com/events/agiletour-2015 I will be speaking on Agile Risk Management Next SPaMCAST The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will be a special show. We are going to feature the “if you could fix any two things” question I asks at the end every interview from the three most downloaded interviews of all times. PS I will visiting Krakow and Prague over the next few weeks shoot me an email and let me know where the best places to get a beer are found! Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques 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, neither for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast includes two columns. The first is our essay on software measurement. When we measure we are sending an explicit message about what is important to the organization, and therefore sending an explicit signal about how we expect people to act. Remember the old adage, “you get what you measure.” Our second column this week is from Gene Hughson and his Form Follows Function blog. In this installment Gene throws down the gauntlet to ask the questions, “Who needs architects?” Call to Action! For the remainder of September let’s try something a little different. Forget about iTunes reviews, and tell a friend or a coworker about the Software Process and Measurement Cast. Let’s use word of mouth will help grow the audience for the podcast. After all the SPaMCAST provides you with value, why keep it yourself?! Re-Read Saturday News Remember that the Re-Read Saturday of The Mythical Man-Month is in full swing. This week we tackle the essay titled “Sharp Tools”! Check out the new installment at Software Process and Measurement Blog. Upcoming Events Agile Development Conference EastNovember 8-13, 2015Orlando, Floridahttp://adceast.techwell.com/ I will be speaking on November 12th on the topic of Agile Risk. Let me know if you are going and we will have a SPaMCAST Meetup. Agile Philly - AgileTour 2015October 5, 2015http://www.agilephilly.com/events/agiletour-2015 I will be speaking on Agile Risk Management More conferences next week, including Agile DC! Next SPaMCAST The next Software Process and Measurement Cast features our interview with Chris Nurre. Chris is a developer and Agile Coach extraordinaire. We explored the role of a coach from the point of view of someone that is actively involved in changing the world, one team at a time. Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques 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, neither for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature interview with Steve Boronski. Steve and I had a great conversation about Agile and Prince2. The conversation focused on the new Prince2 Agile Project Management Best Practice extension to Prince2 and why the world needs another interpretation of Agile project management. Once you have listened to the SPaMCAST 360 revisit my first interview with Steve on SPaMCAST 184. Steve is a Project and Program Management professional with many years practical experience developed in both the public and private sectors. He specializes in IT enabled Business Change assisting many organizations to use a structured approach to their business changes, from Portfolio to Program and Project delivery mechanisms. Steve now spends most of his time travelling the world, training and consulting, helping people to learn and apply PRINCE2®, PRINCE2 Agile™, MSP® and P3O® all Best Practice Guidance freely available from the UK Cabinet Office for worldwide application. Contact Information:Email: steve.boronski@ilxgroup.comWeb: http://www.ilxgroup.comLinked In: http://ow.ly/azUqhPrince 2 Official Site: http://www.prince-officialsite.com/ Call to Action! For the remainder of September let’s try something a little different. Forget about iTunes reviews and tell a friend or a coworker about the Software Process and Measurement Cast. Let’s use word of mouth will help grow the audience for the podcast. After all the SPaMCAST provides you with value, why keep it yourself?! Re-Read Saturday News Remember that the Re-Read Saturday of The Mythical Man-Month is in full swing. This week we tackle the essay titled “Plan to Throw One Away”! Check out the new installment at Software Process and Measurement Blog. Upcoming Events Agile Development Conference EastNovember 8-13, 2015Orlando, Floridahttp://adceast.techwell.com/ I will be speaking on November 12th on the topic of Agile Risk. Let me know if you are going and we will have a SPaMCAST Meetup. Agile Philly - AgileTour 2015October 5, 2015http://www.agilephilly.com/events/agiletour-2015 I will be speaking on Agile Risk Management More conferences next week including Agile DC! Next SPaMCAST The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will an essay on measurement. When we measure we are sending an explicit message about what is important to the organization and therefore sending an explicit signal on how we expect people to act (remember the old adage, “you get what you measure”). We will also include a visit to the QA Corner and perhaps a new installment from Steve Tendon’s book on the TameFlow method. Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques 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, neither for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast features three columns. The first our essay on Reviews and Inspections. Reviews and inspections are a critical tool for improving quality and team effectiveness. Whether you are using Agile or classic techniques improving your reviews and inspections will directly increase the value you deliver. We also have a new entry in the QA Corner with Jeremy Berriault. Jeremy and I discussed the value of independent QA. Anchoring the cast is a new installment from the Software Sensei, Kim Pries. Kim contrasts planned activities and improvisation in software development. Kim builds on the differences in the two approaches to help teams to understand when to do either. Call to Action! For the remainder of September let’s try something a little different. Forget about iTunes reviews and tell a friend or a coworker about the Software Process and Measurement Cast. Let’s use word of mouth will help grow the audience for the podcast. After all the SPaMCAST provides you with value, why keep it yourself?! Re-Read Saturday News Remember that the Re-Read Saturday of The Mythical Man-Month is in full swing. This week we tackle the essay titled “The Documentary Hypothesis”! Check out the new installment at Software Process and Measurement Blog. Upcoming Events Software Quality and Test ManagementSeptember 13 – 18, 2015San Diego, Californiahttp://qualitymanagementconference.com/ I will be speaking on the impact of cognitive biases on teams. Let me know if you are attending! If you are still deciding on attending let me know because I have a discount code. Agile Development Conference EastNovember 8-13, 2015Orlando, Floridahttp://adceast.techwell.com/ I will be speaking on November 12th on the topic of Agile Risk. Let me know if you are going and we will have a SPaMCAST Meetup. More conferences next week including Agile DC and Agile Philly! Next SPaMCAST The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature interview with Steve Boronski. Steve and I had a great conversation about Agile and Prince2. The conversation focused on the new Prince2 Agile Project Management Best Practice extension to Prince2 and why the world needs another interpretation of Agile project management. Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques 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, neither for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

This week’s Software Process and Measurement features our interview with Julia Wester. Julia is an Improvement Coach at LeanKit and writes the Every Kanban Blog. Julia and I discussed the role of management in Agile. Is it time to throw out managers? Julia’s perspectives is that management must play a constructive role in helping Agile teams deliver the most value. Julia espouses Lean principles and considers herself on an eternal journey to make teams as happy, effective and customer-value oriented as possible. As an Improvement Coach at LeanKit, she is excited to continue to learn and integrate Lean principles into efforts that help others tame the chaos of traditional organizations and streamline processes in order to make customers and teams more satisfied. You can read more about Julia at her blog, Everyday Kanban Reach out to Julia on twitter @everydaykanban and visit LeanKit Call to Action! For the remainder of September let’s try something a little different. Forget about iTunes reviews and tell a friend or a coworker about the Software Process and Measurement Cast. Let’s use word of mouth will help grow the audience for the podcast. After all the SPaMCAST provides you with value, why keep it yourself? Re-Read Saturday News Remember that the Re-Read Saturday of The Mythical Man-Month is in full swing. This week we tackle the essay titled “Ten Pounds In A Five-Pound Package”! Check out the new installment at Software Process and Measurement Blog. Upcoming Events Software Quality and Test Management September 13 – 18, 2015San Diego, California http://qualitymanagementconference.com/ I will be speaking on the impact of cognitive biases on teams. Let me know if you are attending! If you are still deciding on attending let me know because I have a discount code. Agile Development Conference EastNovember 8-13, 2015Orlando, Florida http://adceast.techwell.com/ I will be speaking on November 12th on the topic of Agile Risk. Let me know if you are going and we will have a SPaMCAST Meetup. More conferences next week including Agile DC and Agile Philyy! Next SPaMCAST The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature our essay on Reviews and inspections. Reviews and inspections are critical tools for improving quality and team effectiveness. We will also have a new QA Corner with Jeremy Berriault and a new installment from the Software Sensei, Kim Pries. Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques 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, neither for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

The Software Process and Measurement our essay on Mind Mapping. I view Mind Mapping as a great technique to stimulate creative thinking and organize ideas. Mind Mapping is one of my favorite tools. Note: this essay has a lot of visual examples, while there they are explained in the reading of the essay, I have also included them in a separate document for reference. We also feature Steve Tendon’s column discussing the TameFlow methodology and Chapter 4 of his great book, Hyper-Productive Knowledge Work Performance. Steve and I discussed the impact of management’s profound understanding of knowledge work and that understandings impact on the delivery of value. Anchoring the cast will be Gene Hughson, returning with an entry from his Form Follows Function blog. This week Gene discusses the ideas in his entry, “Who Needs Architects?” Call to Action! For the remainder of August and September let’s try something a little different. Forget about iTunes reviews and tell a friend or a coworker about the Software Process and Measurement Cast. Let’s use word of mouth will help grow the audience for the podcast. After all the SPaMCAST provides you with value, why keep it yourself?! Re-Read Saturday News Remember that the Re-Read Saturday of The Mythical Man-Month is in full swing. This week we tackle the essay titled “Calling The Shot”! Check out the new installment at Software Process and Measurement Blog. Upcoming Events Software Quality and Test Management September 13 – 18, 2015San Diego, Californiahttp://qualitymanagementconference.com/ I will be speaking on the impact of cognitive biases on teams. Let me know if you are attending! If you are still deciding on attending let me know because I have a discount code. Agile Development Conference EastNovember 8-13, 2015Orlando, Floridahttp://adceast.techwell.com/ I will be speaking on November 12th on the topic of Agile Risk. Let me know if you are going and we will have a SPaMCAST Meetup. Next SPaMCAST The next Software Process and Measurement feature our interview with Julia Wester. Julia is an Improvement Coach at LeanKit and writes the Every Kanban Blog. Julia and I had wide ranging conversation that included both process improvement and the role of management in Agile. Julia’s [WHAT?] is that management can play a constructive role in helping Agile teams deliver the most value. Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques 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, neither for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

The Software Process and Measurement 356 features our interview with Steve Turner. Steve and I talked time management and email inbox tyranny! If you let your inbox and interruptions manage your day you will deliver less value than you should and feel far less in control than you could! Steve’s Bio: With a background in technology and nearly 30 years of business expertise, Steve has spent the last eight years sharing technology and time management tools, techniques and tips with thousands of professionals across the country. His speaking, training and coaching has helped many organizations increase the productivity of their employees. Steve has significant experience working with independent sales and marketing agencies. His proven ability to leverage technology (including desktops, laptops and mobile devices) is of great value to anyone in need of greater sales and/or productivity results. TurnerTime℠ is time management tools, techniques and tips to effectively manage e-mails, tasks and projects. Contact Information:Email: steve@getturnertime.comWeb: www.GetTurnerTime.com Call to Action! For the remainder of August and September let’s try something a little different. Forget about iTunes reviews and tell a friend or a coworker about the Software Process and Measurement Cast. Let’s use word of mouth will help grow the audience for the podcast. After all the SPaMCAST provides you with value, why keep it yourself?! Re-Read Saturday News Remember that the Re-Read Saturday of The Mythical Man-Month is in full swing. This week we tackle the essay titled “Why Did the Tower Babel Fall”! Check out the new installment at Software Process and Measurement Blog. Upcoming Events Software Quality and Test Management September 13 – 18, 2015San Diego, Californiahttp://qualitymanagementconference.com/ I will be speaking on the impact of cognitive biases on teams. Let me know if you are attending! If you are still deciding on attending let me know because I have a discount code. Agile Development Conference EastNovember 8-13, 2015Orlando, Floridahttp://adceast.techwell.com/ I will be speaking on November 12th on the topic of Agile Risk. Let me know if you are going and we will have a SPaMCAST Meetup. Next SPaMCAST The next Software Process and Measurement feature our essay on mind mapping. To quote Tony Buzan, Mind Mapping is a technique for radiant thinking. I view it as a technique to stimulate creative thinking and organize ideas. I think that is what Tony meant by radiant thinking. Mind Mapping is one of my favorite tools. We will also feature Steve Tendon’s column discussing the TameFlow methodology and his great new book, Hyper-Productive Knowledge Work Performance. Anchoring the cast will be Gene Hughson returning with an entry from his Form Follows Function blog. Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques 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, neither for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.