Software Process and Measurement Cast

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 398 features our interview with bestselling author Kevin Kruse. We discussed his new book, 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management. The ideas Kevin presents on managing time and more accurately managing focus are extremely useful and in some cases just a bit controversial. Surprising findings include: Most high achievers do NOT use to-do li...

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 397 features our essay on cumulative flow diagrams. The following file includes all of the figures referenced in the cumulative flow diagrams essay which is part of SPaMCAST 397.

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 397 features our essay on cumulative flow diagrams. A CFD can help everyone from team members to program managers to gain insight into issues, cycle time and likely completion dates. Cumulative flow diagrams are extremely versatile tools for managing work. Figures for this essay are included as a separate entry in the feed. Our second column is a visit to...

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 396 begins our run up to Episode 400 with our interview of with Mike Burrows. Mike and I talked about his game changing idea of Agendashift. Agendashift identifies opportunities for positive change by exploring an organization's alignment to the values of transparency, balance, collaboration, customer focus, flow, and leadership. Along the way, we also rev...

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 395 features our essay on productivity. While productivity might not be the coolest subject, understanding the concept is critical to every company's and every worker's financial well-being. Gene Hughson brings another entry from his Form Follows Function blog to the Software Process and Measurement Cast. Gene discusses the idea of accidental innovation. G...

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 394 features our interview with Yves Hanoulle. Yves returns to the Software Process and Measurement Cast to discuss his experiences as a coach with CoderDojo Ghent which brings coding and life lessons to children in Ghent, Belgium. We also explored how Yves has been able to incorporate the lessons he has learned volunteering into his day job. This is a fun...

One last week in mixtape format! I am completing a trip that is a mixture of vacation and a board meeting but that does not mean you have to forego your weekly SPaMCAST. In place of our normal format, I am posting a mix tape of the answers to the "If you could change two things" question I have been asking interviewees for nearly ten years. This week on SPaMCAST 393 we feature our top downloaded p...

I am still traveling for the next two weeks. The trip is a mixture of vacation and a board meeting but that does not mean you will have to forego your weekly SPaMCAST. In place of our normal format, I am posting a mix tape of the answers to the "If you could change two things" question I have been asking interviewees for nearly ten years. This week on SPaMCAST 392 we feature our top downloaded pod...

The first full Software Process and Measurement Cast posted on January 29th, 2007. When the first cast posted we were on an every other week schedule whereas today we post weekly. Over the next few weeks, I will be traveling. The trip is a mixture of vacation and a board meeting but that does not mean you will have to forego your weekly SPaMCAST. In place of our normal format, I will post a mixtap...

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 390 features our interview with Vinay Patankar. We discussed his start up Process Street and the path Vinay and his partner took in order to embrace agile because it delivered value, not just because it was cool. We also discussed how Agile fits or helps in a lean start-up and the lessons Vinay wants to pass on to others. Vinay’s Bio: Vinay Patankar is the...

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 389 essay on different layers and anti-patterns of Agile Acceptance Testing. Many practitioners see Agile acceptance testing as focused solely on validating the business facing functionality. This is a misunderstanding; acceptance testing is more varied. We also have a column from Kim Pries, the Software Sensei. Kim discusses the significance of soft skill...

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 388 features our interview with Dr. Mark Bojeun. Dr. Bojeun returns to the podcast to discuss how a PMO can be a strategic tool for an organization. If a PMO is merely a control point or an administrative function, their value and longevity are at risk. Mark suggests that there is a better way. Mark last visited the Software Process and Measurement Cast on...

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 387 includes three features. The first is our essay on storytelling. Storytelling is a tool that is useful in many scenarios, for presentations, to help people frame their thoughts and for gathering information. A story provides both a deeper and more nuanced connection with information than most lists of PowerPoint bullets or even structured requirements...

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 386 features our interview with Jason Little. Jason and I discussed his exploration of storytelling in change management. Stories are a powerful tool to develop and hone a big picture view of organizational change. Jason began his career as a web developer when Cold Fusion roamed the earth. Over the following years, he moved into management, Agile Coaching...

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 385 features our essay on Agile portfolio metrics. Agile portfolio metrics are integral to prioritization and validating the flow of work. But, Agile portfolio metrics are only useful if they provide value. Metrics and measures add value if they reduce uncertainty so that we can make better decisions. In the second segment, Kim Pries, the Software Sensei a...

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 384 features our interview with Gwen Walsh. Gwen is the President of TechEdge LLC. We discuss leadership and why leadership is important. We also discuss the topic of performance appraisals and how classic methods can hurt your organization. Gwen’s advice both redefines industry standards and provides you with an idea of what is truly possible. Gwen Walsh...

Software Process and Measurement Cast 383 features our essay on peer reviews. Peer reviews are a tool to remove defects before we need to either test them out or ask our customers to find them for us. While the data about the benefits of peer reviews is UNAMBIGUOUS, they are rarely practiced well and often turn into a blame apportionment tool. The essay discusses how to do peer reviews, whether yo...

Software Process and Measurement Cast 382 features our interview with Ben Linders. Ben revisits the Software Process and Measurement Cast to discuss his recent series of articles on targeting, finding, and eradicating impediments. Ben discussed a platform for continuous process improvement that delivers continuously increasing value! Ben’s Bio: Ben Linders is an Independent Consultant in Agile, Le...

Software Process and Measurement Cast 381 features our essay on Agile adoption. Words are important. They can rally people to your banner or create barriers. Every word communicates information and intent. There has been a significant amount of energy spent discussing whether the phrase ‘Agile transformation’ delivers the right message. There is a suggestion that ‘adoption’ is a better term. We sh...

Software Process and Measurement Cast 380 features our interview with Kim Robertson. Kim and I talked about big picture configuration management. Without good configuration managements work, products, and programs often go wildly astray. Kim describes the a process that is as old a dirt . . . but WORKS and delivers value. We also discussed the book Kim co-authored with Jon M Quigley (Jon was inter...

Software Process and Measurement Cast 379 features our short essay on the relationship between done and value. The essay is in response to a question from Anteneh Berhane. Anteneh called me to ask one of the hardest questions I had ever been asked: Why doesn’t the definition of done include value? We will also have an entry of Jeremy Berriault’s QA Corner. Jeremy and I discussed test data, and why...

We begin year 10 of the Software Process and Measurement Cast with our Interview with Evan Leybourn. Evan returns to the Software Process and Measurement Cast to discuss the "end to IT projects." We discussed the idea of #NoProject and continuous delivery, and whether this is just an “IT” thing or something that can encompass the entire business. Evan’s views are informative and bit provocative. I...

In this week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature three columns. our essay on empathy. Coaching is a key tool to help individuals and teams reach peak performance. One of the key attributes of a good coach is empathy. Critical to the understanding the role that empathy plays in coaching is understanding the definition of empathy. As a coach, if you can’t connect with those you are...

This week we are doing something special. Right after the New Year holiday, all of the regulars from the Software Process and Measurement Cast gathered virtually to discuss the topics we felt would be important in 2016. The panel for the discussion was comprised of Jeremy Berriault (The QA Corner), Steve Tendon (The TameFlow Approach), Kim Pries (The Software Sensei), Gene Hughson (Form Follows Fu...

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast opens with our essay on quality and measuring quality. Software quality is a simple phrase that is sometimes difficult to define. In SPaMCAST 374, Jerry Weinberg defined software quality as value. In our essay, we see how others have tackled the subject and add our perspective. Jeremy Berriault brings the QA Corner to the first SPaMCAST of 2016, di...