Software Process and Measurement Cast

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 185! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 184 my essay titled the "Narcissism of Small Differences."  This essay is based on comments made by Corey Haines in the .  The essay begins: Every interview I do for the Software Process and Measurement Cast teaches me something about our industry and the people that populate it.  Occasionally a topic is brought up that sets me off on a new path of exploration and that changes how I interact with the world around me.  The interview with Corey Haines in the SPaMCAST 182 was one such interview, during the cast, Corey referred to the concept of the "narcissism of small differences" as a barrier to delivering value.  His point was dead-on but after I did some research I discovered that like many other concepts this one is a bit more complicated.  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, neither for you or your team." Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook:  http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next The Software Process and Measurement Cast 186 will feature my interview Jo Ann Sweeney.  We discussed using social media as a tool to support communications inside and outside projects. It was great to have Jo Ann back on the  Cast.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 184! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 184 features my interview with Steve Boronski.  We discussed PRINCE2® (PRojects IN Controlled Environments), which is a widely used project management method that navigates you through the essentials for running a project.PRINCE2 is a de facto standard developed and used extensively by the UK government and is widely recognised and used in the private sector, both in the UK and internationally. Steve's Bio: Steve is a Project and Programme Management professional with many years practical experience developed in both the public and private sectors. He specialises in IT enabled Business Change assisting many organisations to use a structured approach to their business changes, from Portfolio to Programme and Project delivery mechanisms. Steve now spends most of his time travelling the world, training and consulting, helping people to learn and apply PRINCE2®, 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/azUqh Prince 2 Official Site:  http://www.prince-officialsite.com/ 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, neither for you or your team." Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook:  http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next The Software Process and Measurement Cast 185 will feature my essay titled the "Narcissism of Small Differences."  This essay is based on comments made by Corey Haines in the SPaMCAST 182.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 183!  The Software Process and Measurement Cast 183 features my essay titled, Agile Release Planning Is A Necessity   The essay begins . . . Release planning has even said to be not needed and a waste of time by those who feel that release planning is a retreat from agile. Alternately, it has been called both a black art and a communication vehicle by those who recognize it as a need. Simply put release planning is contentious.  Why the consternation over something so simple? Part of the angst is a relic of the past and part is a flaw in basic human nature. The first part is a memory of over planning we all have seen in some project and program methods and the second flaw is one of basic human nature in that when something is said it tends to be remembered (a delivery date for example). 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, neither for you or your team."  ? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook:  http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next The Software Process and Measurement Cast 183 features my interview with Steve Boronski.  We discussed Prince 2 which is the standard for project management in the UK and Europe!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 182! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 182 features my interview with Corey Haines.  We discussed the evolution of a software journeyman, coding, code retreats, a bit of philosophy and more. Corey's Bio:  After 12 years of coding for money, Corey Haines said enough and went on a year-long, journeyman pair-programming tour. Traveling the world, pair-programming for room and board, he spent his time teaching, learning and just living as a knowledge-cross-pollinating, little, software craftsmanship bee. For the past three years, Corey has focused his attention on helping developers improve their fundamental software design skills through the use of focused-practice events, such as coderetreat. He currently specializes in training teams on fundamental development technical practices, as well as building projects and products when not on the road. Contact Data:http://coreyhaines.com/Code Retreat: http://coderetreat.org/Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/coreyhainesEmail: coreyhaines@gmail.com A message from SPaMCAST's sponsor . . . The SPaMCAST 182 is sponsored by . LeanKit Kanban is a software tool for kanban that is as simple to use as physical kanban. If you put it up on a touchscreen in your team area, it practically IS physical kanban. But your boards are available from anywhere, and updated in real-time. A slew of colors, icons, and avatars take your visual signaling to the next level. And the system tracks the metrics for you, providing analytics on bottlenecks, lead time, work distribution, process efficiency, and variability - for a single board or a whole company. It's kanban for the Lean enterprise.   I am currently working on a book with three friends.  We are using LeanKit Kanban as a mechanism to keep the project on track and organized.  LeanKit allows us to share the Kanban board across the miles with ease! !  (and say hello for the SPaMCAST!) Interested in becoming a radio star?  If you are interested in reviewing tools or books?  Drop me a note at spamcastinfo@gmail.com 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, neither for you or your team." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email:  spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook:  http://bit.ly/16fBWV NextThe Software Process and Measurement Cast 183 will feature my essay on release plans. Release plans are a critical tool in large agile projects.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 181! The Software Process and Measurement Cast 181 features my essay titled, Manufacturing, Engineering or Craft?  The essay begins . . . A few weeks ago I sat next to a gentlemen on a flight to Albuquerque.  After a couple of glasses of wine we found we were in related fields.  As the conversation progressed he confided in me that he did not understand why software projects were never on time, on budget or exactly what he wanted since software development was engineering and his consultants had called development a factory. I paid for the next round of wine as I tried to dissuade my new friend that building, enhancing or maintaining software was not really like assembling a car. 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, neither for you or your team." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook:  http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next The Software Process and Measurement Cast 182 features my interview with Corey Haines, Software Journeyman.  Simply put WOW!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 180! The SPaMCAST 180 features my interview with Johanna Rothman.  We discussed transparency and trust.  Transparency and trust are generally discussed as core tenants of agile HOWEVER I would suggest they are core tenants for any type of team or manager. We also have a message from Peter Taylor, The Lazy Project Manager, on his new project . . . he needs our help. You might be wondering where the SPaMCAST 179 went.  Lets just say SPaMCAST 179 is now offically the the lost episode and we'll just see when it appears.  Johanna Rothman works with managers and leaders to identify problems and seize opportunities around how they manage their product development. She focuses on removing management and technical staff impediments. Johanna was the Agile 2009 conference chair. She is the current AgileJournal.com technical editor. Johanna is the author of these books: - - The 2008 Jolt Productivity award-winning - - She is working on books about using agile practices to find a new job, and agile program management. And, she’s working on an electronic-only revision of the hiring book, due “soon.” She writes columns for Stickyminds.com and on “extreme project management” for Gantthead.com, and writes two blogs on her web site, jrothman.com, as well as a blog on createadaptablelife.com Recommendation!  Buy Johanna's books and support the Software Process and Measurement Cast, just follow the link! Contact Data:|Email:  jr@jrothman.comWeb:   www.jrothman.comBlogs:  http://www.jrothman.com/blog/mpd/           http://www.jrothman.com/blog/htp/            http://www.createadaptablelife.com/ Support the Software Process and Measurement Cast by buying any of the books discussed on the SPaMCAST's through our Amazon Associate Account. I have a page on my blog with links to all of the books that have been discussed on the podcast.  The SPaMCAST gets a tiny commission on the sale that will be used to defray hosting costs and upgrading equipment.   Interested in becoming a radio star?If you are interested in reviewing tools or books?  Drop me a note at spamcastinfo@gmail.com 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, neither for you or your team." Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook:  http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next: The Software Process and Measurement Cast 181 will feature my essay currently titled, IT: No Factory Here.  The essay wrestles why the metaphor of a factory is used to describe the development and maintenance of software.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 178! The SPaMCAST 178 features my interview with Al Pittampalli.  We discussed his book, Read This Before Our Next Meeting, the modern meeting standard and how most meetings are in need of a makeover or avoiding. Al Pittampalli is the author of , the most popular Kindle book in the world during the week of its release. It was recently selected by renowned business book expert, Todd Sattersten as the #4 best business book of 2011 by and by the IBM Competitive Edge Book Club as their Q1 2012 read. Al has been featured in various major media and popular publications such as Forbes, Huffington Post, CBS, and American Express Open Forum. He helps Fortune 500 companies provoke change in the status quo. You can learn more about Al at: ModernMeetingStandard.com. Want to buy Al's book?   Contact Data:Email:  al.pittampalli@gmail.comTwitter:  @PittampaliWeb:  http://modernmeetingstandard.com/about-al/  Support the Software Process and Measurement Cast by buying any of the books discussed on the SPaMCAST's through our Amazon Associate Account. I have a page on my blog with links to all of the books that have been discussed on the podcast. The SPaMCAST gets a tiny commission on the sale that will be used to defray hosting costs and upgrading equipment.   Interested in becoming a radio star? If you are interested in reviewing tools or books?  Drop me a note at spamcastinfo@gmail.com 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, neither for you or your team."  Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email:  spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook:  http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next: The Software Process and Measurement Cast 179 will feature my essay currently titled, IT: No Factory Here.  The essay wrestles why the metaphor of a factory is used to describe the development and maintenance of software.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 177! The SPaMCAST 177 features my essay titled The Beginner's Mind. The essay begins: Why is it easier for some organizations to innovate or to change more than others? Why do some organizations become less flexible after a new idea is successfully implemented? I believe that the concept of the beginner’s mind holds a substantial clue about why some people and organizations either embrace or resist change.    Interested in becoming a radio star? If you are interested in reviewing tools or books?  Drop me a note at spamcastinfo@gmail.com 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook:  http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next: The Software Process and Measurement Cast 178 will feature my interview with Al Pittampalli.  We discussed a modern meeting standard and his book, Read This Before Our Next Meeting. This is an important interview for EVERYONE!

The SPaMCAST 176 features my interview with Jeff Dalton.  We discussed Agile, Scrum and the CMMI.  A discussion that included more than just theory. Jeff is Broadsword’s President, Certified Lead Appraiser, CMMI Instructor, a Pilot, ScrumMaster, and author of “agileCMMI,” Broadsword’s leading methodology for incremental and iterative process improvement. He is the 2012 Chairman of the SEI’s Partner Advisory Board and President of the Great Lakes Software Process Improvement Network (GL-SPIN).  In 2008 he coined the term Process Debt to describe the crushing, over-bearing processes too many companies employ to achieve a CMMI rating.  In 2009 he was awarded the prestigious Software Engineering Institute’s SEI Member Award for Outstanding Representative for is work uniting the Agile and CMMI communities together through his popular blog “Ask the CMMI Appraiser.” He holds degrees in Music and Computer Science and builds experimental airplanes in his spare time.   Contact Data: Email:  appraiser@broadswordsolutions.com. Twitter:  @CMMIAppraiser Blog: http://askthecmmiappraiser.blogspot.com/ Web:  http://www.broadswordsolutions.com/   Interested in becoming a radio star? If you are interested in reviewing tools or books?  Drop me a note at spamcastinfo@gmail.com   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, neither for you or your team."   Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email:  spamcastinfo@gmail.com Voicemail:  +1-206-888-6111 Website: www.spamcast.net Twitter: www.twitter.com/tcagley Facebook:  http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next: The Software Process and Measurement Cast 177 will feature my essay on the beginners mind.  The essay wrestles with the question, why is easier for some people and organizations to embrace new ideas?

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 175! The SPaMCAST 175 features an essay titled Human Interaction While Testing On Two Continents. The essay begins: Testing is the means of proving that the development process has understood and built what was required.  In its purist form it provides a set of proofs that validate the ‘whole’ development life cycle.  Regardless of the test model used there is one overriding goal; to deliver the best product possible within the constraints of time, budget and scope.  Meeting the goal of testing requires a strong level of interaction and communication between the testing and development teams.  This requirement becomes an imperative when testing occurs on two continents.  Interested in becoming a radio star?If you are interested in reviewing tools or books?  Drop me a note at spamcastinfo@gmail.com 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."  Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook:  http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next:The Software Process and Measurement Cast 176 will feature my interview with Jeff Dalton.  We discussed Agile, Scrum and the CMMI!