Software Process and Measurement Cast

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 137! SPaMCAST 137 features an essay titled Abstractions. The essay begins: The world is complex; it is comprised of a myriad of processes each with their own slice of complexity. We all fear being sucked into whirlpool of complexity as evidenced by the laundry list of best selling books that purport to provide the tools needed to take control of our personal and professional worlds. Also included in this SPaMCAST is a product review by Joseph Hurtado, a long time SPaMCAST listener, for Agile Board which is an IPad app for agile / Kanban tool. Thank you for the review Joseph! 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! SPaMCAST 136 features my first live interview with Paul Brynes. We discussed the changes in the SCAMPI methodology used to appraise the CMMI. Important stuff if you have anything to do with the CMMI.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 136! SPaMCAST 136 features my interview with Dr Ginger Levin and J. LeRoy Ward discussing their new book, Program Management Complexity: A Competency Model (ESI International Project Management Series). We discussed program management, the impact of agile techniques and why competency is critical. A wonderful information packed interview! Dr. Ginger Levin is a senior consultant and educator in project management. Her specialty areas are portfolio management, program management, the Project Management Office, knowledge management, metrics, and maturity assessments. She is certified as a PMP®, PgMP®, and as an OPM3 Assessor and Consultant. She was the second person in the world to receive the PgMP. In addition, Dr. Levin is an Adjunct Professor for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where she teaches in its M.S. in Project Management Program and for SKEMA (Esc Lille) University, France, in its project management program at the master’s and doctoral level. Also, she is a Visiting Professor for RMIT in Melbourne, Australia. In consulting, she has served as Project Manager in numerous efforts for Fortune 500 and public-sector clients, including UPS, Citibank, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, General Electric, SAP, EADS, John Deere, Schreiber Foods, TRW, the New York City Transit Authority, the U.S. Joint Forces Command, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Prior to her work in consulting, she held positions of increasing responsibility with the U.S. Government, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Personnel Management, and the General Accounting Office. She is the co-author of Implementing Program Management: Forms and Templates Aligned with the Standard for Program Management, Second Edition (2008); Project Portfolio Management: Tools & Techniques; Metrics for Project Management; Achieving Project Management Success Using Virtual Teams; The Advanced Project Management Office: A Comprehensive Look at Function and Implementation; People Skills for Project Managers; Essential People Skills for Project Managers; The Business Development Capability Maturity Model; and ESI’s PMP Challenge! PMP Study Guide and the PgMP Study Guide (along with J. LeRoy Ward). Her book entitled Interpersonal Skills for Portfolio, Program, and Project Managers also was published in 2010. Dr. Levin received her doctorate in Information Systems Technology and Public Administration from The George Washington University, and received the Outstanding Dissertation Award for her research on large organizations. She also was inducted into Phi Alpha Alpha, the National Honorary Society for Public Affairs and Administration. J. LeRoy Ward, Executive Vice President, is responsible for ESI’s worldwide product offerings and international partnerships. Complementing a 17-year career with four U.S. federal agencies, Ward has delivered project management programs to clients around the world.A noted author and speaker, Ward has served on the adjunct faculties of The George Washington University and The American University, presenting courses in remote sensing, cartography, computer systems management, and information systems. He has authored numerous articles and publications, including the Dictionary of Project Management Terms (3rd ed.); the PMP® Exam Practice Test and Study Guide, PMP® Challenge!, and the PgMP® Exam Practice Test and Study Guide (with Ginger Levin); a set of audio CDs entitled Conversations on Passing the PMP® Exam (with Carl Pritchard); and, ProjectFRAMEWORK, a Project Management Maturity Model (with multiple authors). His articles have appeared in PMNetwork, Chief Learning Officer, and Project Manager Today (U.K.). A popular and dynamic presenter, he speaks frequently on project management and related topics at professional association meetings and conferences around the world. Ward holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from Southern Connecticut State University in geography and an MSTM degree, with distinction, in Computer Systems Management from The American University, where he was inducted into Phi Alpha Alpha, the National Honorary Society for Public Affairs and Administration. He is an alumnus of the General Services Administration’s Trail Boss Program (for major systems acquisitions) and the Federal Executive Institute. Ward is a member of several technical societies, including the American Society of Training and Development, the International Project Management Association, and the Project Management Institute where he is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP - Number 431) and a Program Management Professional (PgMP), one of the first to earn the credential. Contact Information:Leroy's email: LWard@esi-intl.comGinger's emai: GINLEVIN@AOL.COM (Listen to Ginger's comments on the topic on the podcast!) Both Ginger and Leroy can found on LinkedIn also! 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 great unsolicited reviews and the book has been picked up as a text book for university level work. 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! In the SPaMCAST 137 I will tackle the topic of the "One" Number or as I call it fear of uncertainty.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 133! SPaMCAST 135 features an entry in the Metrics Minute. We are covering a Value at Risk. WValue at Risk represents the potential impact of risk on the value of a project or portfolio of projects. Risk is monitored at specific points (a topic of further discussion in the near future) of the project life cycle. Monitoring includes an evaluation of the potential cost impact of remediating the risks that have not been fully remediated weighted by the probability of occurrence. Where the cost impact of risk is above program risk tolerance specific remediation plans will be established to reduce the estimated risk impact. The value at risk metric provides the team with a tool for prioritizing risks and risk management activities. 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 Cast Email: spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 136 features my first live interview with Paul Brynes. We discussed the changes in the SCAMPI methodology used to appraise the CMMI. Important stuff if you have anything to do with the CMMI.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 134! SPaMCAST 134 features my interview with Cynthia Kurtz on narratives and stories and how stories can be a VERY powereful tool for gathering requirements and for knowledge management. I am already planning to listen to this one again because of the huge amount of value Cynthia provided! Cynthia Kurtz is an independent researcher, writer and software designer who consults in the field of organizational and community narrative for decision support, conflict resolution and collective sense–making. Her free online book,(http://www.workingwithstories.org) Working with Stories helps people use narrative techniques to benefit their own communities and organizations. She is building open source software called (http://www.rakontu.org) Rakontu to help small groups share and work with stories for collective sense–making, decision support and conflict resolution. Her blog is at (http://www.storycoloredglasses.com) storycoloredglasses.com. Cynthia’s original background is in ethology and evolutionary biology. Cynthia published information about the podcast and added addtional context to the questions I asked at http://www.storycoloredglasses.com/2011/05/podcast-on-stories-in-software.html 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 great unsolicited reviews and the book has been picked up as a text book for university level work. 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! In the SPaMCAST 135 we will dip back into the Metrics Minute with an article on Value At Risk or my essay on the messages we send.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 133! SPaMCAST 133 features an entry in the Metrics Minute. We tackle burn-up charts. The burn-up chart can be thought of as the mirror image of the burn-down chart but is generally extended over multiple sprints to show the strategy being followed as the project builds toward release and product delivery. 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 Cast Email: spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 134 features my interview with Cynthia Kurtz on stories and how stories can be a VERY powereful tool for gathering requirements and for knowledge management. I am already planning to listen to this one again because of the huge amount of value Cynthia provided!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 132! SPaMCAST 132 features my interview with Bill Bentley discussing the book he co-authored "Lean Six Sigma Secrets for the CIO". We covered the gamut of process improvement with emphasis on six sigma, lean and the combination of the two techniques. Bill Bentley is the owner and president of www.value-train.com, a training and consulting business. His Atlanta area company was started in 2002 and provides quantitative process improvement training to the public via open enrollment courses, and to corporations via in-house courses. The company also provides consulting services. Primary topics include Six Sigma, Lean and applied quantitative methods. Bill has an MSEE from Rensselaer, substantial further education and training, and has nearly completed his MBA in Finance and Management. Bill is a pro at solving tough real-world business and technical problems, first as a control systems engineer with Procter & Gamble out of school, later in increasingly responsible management roles with P&G, Frito-Lay, Nabisco and Rockwell. His employers have been manufacturers of food, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, electronic instrumentation and software and his corporate assignments included engineering, operations management, sales and business turnarounds. Bill’s executive positions have included Director of Technology of an instrument manufacturing company, General Manager of an engineering company and President and CEO of a software company. Starting from nothing, Bill has built his company into a respectable business with a national reputation with thousand of graduates and hundreds of corporations served. Value-Train is an authorized State training provider in Georgia, Massachusetts and Texas. Bill is a sailor and also enjoys riding the Georgia Mountains on his motorcycle. Contact Information:Email: valuetrain@gmail.comWeb: www.value-train.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!SPaMCAST 133 will dip back into the Metrics Minute with an article on burnup charts. We will be burning up the pobsphere on this one!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 131! SPaMCAST 131 features the second part of my essay "Agile is from Venus, PMOs from Mars". Part One was a controversial, Part Two will not lower the bar. If you are struggling to understand how position a PMOs in your agile organization you need to listen. 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!SPaMCAST 132 features my interview with Bill Bentley discussing the book he co-authored "Lean Six Sigma Secrets for the CIO". We covered the gamut of process improvement with emphasis on six sigma, lean and the combination of the two techniques.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 130! SPaMCAST 130 features my interview with with John K. Hollmann discussing cost engineering and risk from a cost engineering perspective. If you are involved with risk and cost engineering you will want to bookmark this interview and listen again and again. John has over 30 years of design and cost engineering experience, including all practice areas of cost engineering and project control. John is Owner of Validation Estimating LLC (www.validest.com) which he founded in 2005 to help owner companies improve their Cost Engineering capabilities. Before that, John managed the downstream cost and schedule metrics and research programs of Independent Project Analysis, Inc (a project system benchmarking firm). John is a Fellow of AACE International and recipient of AACE’s highest honor--the Award of Merit. John is currently an AACE Technical Director and is co-chair of a task force to develop a Decision and Risk Management Professional (DRMP) certification program for AACE. In addition to publishing and presenting many papers and articles, John was editor and lead author of AACE International’s technical foundation text titled the Total Cost Management (TCM) Framework; An Integrated Approach to Portfolio, Program and Project Management. He was also a contributing author to the Engineer's Cost Handbook published by Marcel Dekker and AACE’s Skills and Knowledge of Cost Engineering, 5th Edition. Contact Information:Web: www.validest.comEmail: hollmann@validest.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!SPaMCAST 131 I will continue "Agile is from Venus and PMOs are from Mars". This essay has sparked a bit of controversy . . . and part two may add to it.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 129! In this week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast I feature my short essay, Checklist for Process Improvement Success. I have also included an essay orginally included in SPaMCAST 8 titled, ‘Involvement: Whose Industry Is It Anyway?'. Short for get involved. We will pick up the conclusion of Agile is from Venus and PMOs from Mars will pick up in SPaMAST 131 Many Software Process and Measurement Cast Listeners have purchased Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chemuturi and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. Thank you! If you are one of those many listeners, please consider posting a review on Amazon or one of the many online book review sites. Reviews help sell books. So if you agreee with Robert C. Anderson, Director, Process Development and Quality Assurance, Computer Aid, Inc that "Mastering Software Project Management is a masterpiece of clarity, organization and depth of practical knowledge" why not let the world know with a review? Finally do want me to sign a bookplate for your copy of the book? Email me and include a picture of you with your copy of the book and I will send you a personalized, signed bookplate! 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 Check out my blog and show notes for upcoming conferences and webinars! Next!In SPaMCAST 130 I will feature my interview with John Hollman on risk and risk management. This is a critical interview for all project managers.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 128! SPaMCAST 128 features my interview with with Dave Garmus, Janet Russac and Royce Edwards discussing thier book, Certified Function Point Specialist Examination Guide. If you are interested in functional metrics this interview will be right down your alley. This was David Garmus’ fourth book. Two of his previous books were co-authored with his business partner, David Herron, on functional measurement. Mr. Garmus is an acknowledged authority in the sizing, measurement and estimation of software application development and maintenance. As a co-founder of the David Consulting Group, he supports software development organizations in achieving software excellence with a metric-centered approach. Mr. Garmus is a Past President of IFPUG and member of the IFPUG Counting Practices Committee. He has a BS from the University of California at Los Angeles and an MBA from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. He has spoken at numerous conferences and written many articles and books on various measurement related topics. Mr. Garmus is a Certified Function Point Specialist, having fulfilled all IFPUG requirements for this title under all releases of the IFPUG Counting Practices Manual, and a Certified Software Measurement Specialist. Ms. Russac has over 30 years of experience as a programmer, analyst and measurement specialist in software application development and maintenance. In 2008, she formed her own company, Software Measurement Expertise, Inc. (SME). Prior to that, she worked for The David Consulting Group, Software Productivity Research, IBM Global Services and Prudential Insurance as a lead function point analyst, software measurement specialist, estimator and instructor in these areas. She has implemented software development measurement programs and used various software development metrics, including function points, to recommend business decisions and identify best practices and process improvements in client organizations. In addition, Ms. Russac is a published author and presents workshops at companies, professional organizations and conferences, as well as being a featured speaker at conferences.Ms. Russac is on the Board of Directors for the International Function Point Users Group (IFPUG). Royce Edwards is a senior consultant for Software Composition Technologies, where he applies function point analysis and software estimation techniques to resolve business challenges in software development organizations. He is a software management professional with over 25 years of experience in development, reverse engineering, systems administration, architecture, and software analysis. Mr. Edwards brings an accomplished and unique skill set to software measurement and estimation. He has advised a diverse list of clients in the telecommunications, manufacturing, scientific, government, and information technology areas, and he has mastered the adaptation of solutions to meet the needs of varied organizational environments. Mr. Edwards frequently teaches workshops related specifically to Web application measurement. He has presented research papers at conferences and has written articles and white papers for various publications. Mr. Edwards is a Certified Function Point Specialist and a member of the IFPUG Counting Practices Committee. Contact Information:David Garmus: dg@davidconsultinggroup.comJanet Russac: jrussac@softwaremeasurementexpertise.comRoyce Edwards: Royce@RoyceEdwards.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!SPaMCAST 129 I will continue "Agile is from Venus and PMOs are from Mars". This essay has sparked a bit of controversy . . . and part two may add to it.