Software Process and Measurement Cast

The Software Process and Measurement Cast this week features an in interview with Barbara Zimmerman of IT Directions.  We discussed contracts negotiations, tips getting them right and what how they can go wrong. Barb is a recognized leader in evaluating application software and negotiating IT contracts, Barb has a passion for aligning corporate and vendor expectations for mutual success. She has more than 20 years of consulting experience, and has assisted over 120 companies. As a licensed CPA, her rare blend of financial and operational experience facilitates a holistic approach to projects. Barb has a thorough knowledge of business processes and industry best practices and can help organizations innovate to use technology to achieve their goals. Barb has a strong results and achievement orientation with a reputation for teamwork, open communication, organization, high energy, and leadership. Emial:  Website: Phone:  952-445-4112 The audio for this interview is not perfect I have done a substantial amount of processing to make it the best if can be.  The content in the interview is superlative, hang with it and I think you will walk away from this interview with more than you could have negotiated for!  Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  Voicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: Twitter: Facebook:  Next!SPaMCAST 115 Will kickoff 2011.  We will start with a discussion of the moral hazarda that methodologies and process improvement can foster in some environments.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 113! In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 113 features on of the entries in the Metrics Minute.  We talk about assignment scope!  Maintenance Assignment Scope is a measure of the efficiency of the application support function. co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing is available on Amazon now!  A recent email sang the praises of Mastering like this: "The book is extremely well written explaining the nuances of pro-active project management and can be used by Project Manager’s at every level including the beginners. Very straight forward, simple in application and easy to adopt." If you a project manager or know project managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  Voicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: Twitter: Facebook:  Next!SPaMCAST 114 will feature my interview with Barbara Zimmerman.  We discussed contracts, negotiation and why doing your homework is important.  If you have deal with vendors or sell services this is a must Software Process and Measurement Cast.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 112! The Software Process and Measurement Cast this week features an in interview with Israel Gat, Practice Director for the Cutter Agile Practice.  We explored the concept of technical debit, how it is measured and the impact of technical debt on the organization. Israel Gat is recognized as the architect of the agile transformation at BMC Software. Under his leadership, BMC software development increased Scrum users from zero to 1,000, resulting in nearly three times faster time to market and 20-50% improvement in team productivity. Dr. Gat’s executive career spans top technology companies, including IBM, Microsoft, Digital, and EMC. He has led the development of products such as BMC Performance Manager and Microsoft Operations Manager, enabling the two companies to move toward next-generation system management technology. Dr. Gat is also well versed in growing smaller companies and has held advisory and venture capital positions for companies in new, high-growth markets. Dr. Gat currently splits his time between consulting and writing. He focuses on technical debt, large-scale implementations of lean software methods and agile business service management (“devops”). His recent e-book, The Concise Executive Guide to Agile, explains how the three can be tied together to form an effective software governance framework. Dr. Gat holds a PhD in computer science and an MBA. In addition to publishing with Cutter and the IEEE, he posts frequently at The Agile Executive and tweets as agile_exec. Emial:  Agile Executive: Cutter Consortium:   Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  Voicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: Twitter: Facebook:  Next!SPaMCAST 113 inlcude an entry from the Metrics Minute on the concept of assignment scope (some think of this as maintenance productivty . . . not quite). I will also have some confernece news.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 109! In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 111 we complete the essay, Seven Deadly Sins of Measurement Programs, Greed.  The greed while the last sin we cover is certianly not the least of the sin of measurement programs. co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing is available on Amazon now!  A recent email sang the praises of Mastering like this: "The book is extremely well written explaining the nuances of pro-active project management and can be used by Project Manager’s at every level including the beginners. Very straight forward, simple in application and easy to adopt." If you a project manager or know project managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  Voicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: Twitter: Facebook:  Next!SPaMCAST 112 will feature my interview on technical debt with Isreal Gat.  Technical debt is a metaphor for poor development practices.  Isreal and I discussed how to measure technical debt and what happens when it gets out of control.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 110! The Software Process and Measurement Cast this week features an in interview with Scott Price of LoadStorm.com. Our discussion focused on load testing but covered ground that included the whole life testing life cycle. Scott Price is the Omega Geek at LoadStorm.com. As a 25-year veteran in the software industry, he is currently enjoying the pursuit of his passion for web application performance engineering. He is a frequent public speaker because of his unusual blend of technical knowledge and presentation skills. His focus is on developing cloud products such as LoadStorm, promoting faster web page speeds, and improving overall web app performance under heavy traffic. He works with customers by support them through coaching in use of performance testing tools and techniques. From a family with several generations of entrepreneurs, Scott founded and managed Advantage Medical Systems, Inc. which was acquired by Acxiom Corporation in 1995. He co-founded CustomerCentrix LLC in 1997, the parent company of LoadStorm.com, and is actively growing new products and services. He is the current Chair of Summit County Young Life, current Chairman of the Board for Dillon Community Church, a charter member of the Colorado Business Association Council, former Chairman of the Colorado Internet Keiretsu, and former leader in the Colorado Software Internet Association. Ready to loadtest your mind?  It is time for the interview. Website:  Email:  Vote for the cast on Reddit at Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  Voicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: Twitter: Facebook:  Next!SPaMCAST 111 we will complete my essay on the seven deadly sin of measurment programs.  We seal the deal with the sin of greed.  I will also have some confernece news.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 109! The Seven Deadly Sins popularized by Dante have been used as an analogy for a fallen man’s tendency to sin and as analogy for the ills or risks of many professions.  The analogy fits as well for software metrics; focusing attention on the behaviors that could sap your program’s integrity, effectiveness and life span. This paper looks at a set of deadly sins from the point of view of a person or group that is creating or managing a metrics program. In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 109 we explore the how measurement and envy can be interwoven.  co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing is available on Amazon now!  A recent email sang the praises of "Mastering" like this: "The book is extremely well written explaining the nuances of pro-active project management and can be used by Project Manager’s at every level including the beginners. Very straight forward, simple in application and easy to adopt." If you a project manager or know project managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  Voicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: Twitter: Facebook:  Feedback I recetly corresponed with Bruce Reynolds.  Bruce thank me for the podcast and in further conversation he suggested I reach out to arrange an interview with John Hollmann. John Hollmann is the primary author of the Total Cost Management Framework, and is a key contributor to risk forums within the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering, International (aacei.org). Bruce noted that as a cost estimator, "I've often wondered how or if the IT field would review the practices of the more established engineering professions (AACEI comes to mind) and come up with more established and rigorous risk management processes." Bruce goes on to state. "that risk is little understood by a surprising number of people. Perhaps if you could do an episode that would cover how risk is handled in estimates (triangular, beta, normal, uniform and other risk distributions come to mind).  People should know the difference between the usual suspects of risk versus systemic risk." "The Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering, International (aacei.org) is working on developing a certification on risk that in my opinion is more rigorous than the one that PMI has already developed." I agree and think that this would be a great topic.  I will find a way to cover it in the near future! Next!SPaMCAST 109 will features an interview with Scott Price of LoadStorm fame.  Our discussion focused on load testing but covered ground that included the whole life testing life cycle.

Software Process and Measurement Cast 108 features my discussion with Bob Lewis.  We talked about his new book Bare Bone Change Management, success, IT philosophy and a slew of other topics.    Robert Lewis, president and founder of IT Catalysts, is one of the most respected advisers and commentators in the IT industry. He is the award-winning author of eight books and nearly 800 columns dealing with how to effectively lead information technology organizations, integrate them into the enterprise, and use them as part of effectively planned and executed business change programs. Known for his unique blend of vision and pragmatism, Mr. Lewis is recognized internationally as an authority on how to maximize the value delivered by information technology organizations and to achieve designed and planned organizational change. Prior to founding IT Catalysts, Mr. Lewis held a wide variety of executive, management, staff, and consulting positions in the field of information technology, as well as positions in manufacturing, product development, business planning, and consulting. Website: Keep the Joint Running: Bare Bones Change Management: Email: co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing is on the bookshelves!  According to one the reviews on Amazon: "I am very glad that I found this book. It is the only project management book that I know of that is filled with practical, real-life and modern advice. It does not simply concentrate on theories but covers experiences that project managers will run into throughout any project." If you a project manager or know project managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  Voicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: Twitter: Facebook:  Next:SPaMCAST 109 will feature the next installment of my essay on the Seven Deadly Sins of Measurement Programs.  We will be tackling the topic of envy.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 107! The Seven Deadly Sins popularized by Dante have been used as an analogy for a fallen man’s tendency to sin and as analogy for the ills or risks of many professions.  The analogy fits as well for software metrics; focusing attention on the behaviors that could sap your program’s integrity, effectiveness and life span. This paper looks at a set of deadly sins from the point of view of a person or group that is creating or managing a metrics program. In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 107 we explore the effect of measurement lust.  co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing has hit the bookshelves!  According to one the reviews on Amazon: "There are lots of books on software project management. Why this one and who is the audience? "Mastering Software Project Management" is an attempt to provide coverage of all the major topics that must be addressed in managing a software development project." If you a project manager or know project managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  Voicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: Twitter: Facebook:  Next!SPaMCAST 108 will features an interview with Bob Lewis.  We discussed his new book Bare Bones Change Management. Change is always an interesting topic but Bob was able to raise bar and make it an incredible topic!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 106! SPaMCAST 106 features my interview with Larry Goldberg.  We discussed the book he co-authored, The Decision Model: A Business Logic Framework linking Business and Technology.  This was a wide ranging interview.  I am sure you will enjoy it! Larry Goldberg is Managing Partner of Knowledge Partners International, LLC (KPI),with over thirty years of experience in building technology based companies on three continents, and in which the focus was rules-based technologies and applications.Commercial applications in which he played a primary architectural role include such diverse domains as healthcare, supply chain, and property & casualty insurance. Larry is co-author of The Decision Model: A Business Logic Framework linking Business and Technology (Auerbach, 2009), a co-editor of The Business RuleRevolution: Running the Business the Right Way (HappyAbout.info 2007), on the editorial board of and is the Editorial Director of the BDM Bulletin, a monthly e-publication of the BPMInstitute.org. Larry joins Barbara von Halle, his business partner at KPI, in writing the monthly Business Decision Management column in and in (from October 2009). In addition Larry's writings can be read in industry publications such as , and . He may be heard, four times a year, as the track chair of the BDM Symposium at the Brainstorm conference, and at many conferences and industry events around the world. He and Barbara von Halle conduct a very popular series of training seminars on Business Decision Management and the Decision Model, both in person and on-line. Larry can be found at and looks forward to hearing from everyone with and interest in decision management, business rules, BDM,EDM, and BPM. Next!SPaMCAST 107 will feature the fifth installment of the Seven Deadly Sins of Measurement Programs essay.  In this installment we discuss lust.  The essay begins: There is a famous adage that states that you get what you measure.  The point that is trying to be made is that if you focus on a specfic activity or process people will perform.  It is a human tendency to wish to please.  Unfortunately the tendency to please and a feed back loop can create an addiction or a fixation with a single metric or attribute.  Fixation is an extreme of behavior that can cause the addict to exclude what is really important. Fixating and chasing a single measure to exclusion of everything else is the sin of lust in the measurement world. See you next week!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 105! The Seven Deadly Sins popularized by Dante have been used as an analogy for a fallen man’s tendency to sin and as analogy for the ills or risks of many professions.  The analogy fits as well for software metrics; focusing attention on the behaviors that could sap your program’s integrity, effectiveness and life span. This paper looks at a set of deadly sins from the point of view of a person or group that is creating or managing a metrics program. In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 105 we explore wrath.  Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing has hit the bookshelves!  According to Robert C. Anderson, Director, Process Development and Quality Assurance, Computer Aid, Inc, "Mastering Software Project Management is a masterpiece of clarity, organization and depth of practical knowledge." If you a project manager or know project managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  Voicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: Twitter: Facebook:  Next!SPaMCAST 105 will feature an interview with Larry Goldberg.  We discussed the book he co-authored, The Decision Model: A Business Logic Framework linking Business and Technology published by Taylor and Francis 2009.  This was awide ranging interview.  I am sure you will enjoy it!