Software Process and Measurement Cast

SPaMCAST 576 features a discussion on learning and experimentation with Kim Pries. Kim has coded, tested, lead, and is an author. He has also delivered pointed advice as the Software Sensei. Today we discussed the relationship between learning and experimentation which is at the heart of growing as you practice software development. Re-Read Saturday News In this week's installment of our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow we talk about the collision of utility theory and prospect theory, overweighting vivid outcomes, and denominator neglect. Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy. Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon, It's time to get reading! The current installment of Re-read Saturday: Week 40: Rare Events - http://bit.ly/2LANUMr Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 577 will feature our essay on simple approaches to backlog prioritization. Sometimes a straightforward approach will fit the bill! We will also talk with Susan Parente.

SPaMCAST 575 features our essay on the lightning-rod issue: hybridizing agile methods and techniques. We can all agree that fitting a model to an observed reality requires the flexibility to hybridize. Why do we it so wrong so often? We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley and his Alpha and Omega of Product Development column. Jon and I talked about Deming and his impact on our lives and a book club we are launching early next year. Re-Read Saturday News In this week's installment of our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow we talk about the Fourfold Pattern, Certainty Effect and the Possibility Effect (Chapter 29). Simply put "people are not perfectly rational choosers," which makes it hard to make consistently good decisions. Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy. Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon, It's time to get reading! The current installment of Re-read Saturday: Week 29: The Fourfold Pattern - http://bit.ly/2Y3doHg Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 576 will feature a conversation with Kim Pries, the Software Sensei on learning, quality, craftsmanship, and future plans. This is one of those conversations that is full of serendipity.

SPaMCAST 574 features our interview with Ian Reynolds, chief Solutions Architect at Zibtek We answered the question, What is a solution architect? The discussion coved ideas across starts-ups, medium, and large-sized businesses. Ian paints the solutions architect as an action hero whose raison d'être is to deliver business value. Ian's Bio: Ian is a partner and chief Solutions Architect at Zibtek - a software development firm focused on helping businesses of all sizes in the US to solve their core problems with the software. Ian has spent his career consulting and helping different industries to empower greater profitability and efficiency. He loves to share his experiences and ideas on building the right tools through custom software. Website: www.zibtek.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/zibtek/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/Zibtek/ Twitter: twitter.com/zibtek Re-Read Saturday News In this week's installment of our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow we talk about bad events. The chapters in Part 4 of Thinking Fast and Slow are relatively short and punchy, but the ideas aren't small. I think these chapters are the most useful on a day-to-day basis. Chapter 28 goes into depth on the concept of loss aversion. Loss aversion works because people evaluate outcomes as losses or gains, and losses loom larger than gains. Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy. Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon, It's time to get reading! The current installment of Re-read Saturday Week 28: Chapter 28 - Bad Events http://bit.ly/33hAgUi Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 575 will feature our essay on the lightning-rod issue, hybridizing agile methods and techniques. An action many people perform without a good handle on the pitfalls. We will also have a visit from Jon M Quigley and his Alpha and Omega of Product Development column.

SPaMCAST 573 features our essay using a workflow to prioritize a backlog. Items on any backlog proliferate. Product backlogs used in agile and lean development approaches are no different. Many outsiders have the mistaken notion that once on the list that that is the end of the story -- let's dissuade them of this idea. Gene Hughson brings his Form Follows Function column to the podcast. Gene and I discussed his experience as an application architect. Re-Read Saturday News In this week's installment of our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow Chapter 27 begins with a discussion of the classic indifference curve from Econ 101. The indifference curve shows the trade-off between two goods. In this case, Kahneman uses the trade-off between income and leisure to show how overly simple theories generate models that do not describe behavior outside the textbook. The problem that Kahneman points out is the basic indifference curve doesn't reflect context. Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy. Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon, It's time to get reading! The current installment of Re-read Saturday Chapter 26 - Prospect Theory -http://bit.ly/2Nx3tWI Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 574 will feature our interview with Ian Reynolds. chief Solutions Architect at Zibtek We discussed the role of a solutions architect in software development.

SPaMCAST 572 features our interview with Michael Larsen. Mr. Larsen and I battled fires, Santa Ana winds, and power cuts to have a great conversation on testability. Anyone that has participated in delivering software EVER has wrestled with a discussion of whether a story or requirement can be proved. Michael brings fresh and actionable insights into how to assure testability. Michael's bio Michael Larsen is a Senior Quality Assurance Engineer with Socialtext/PeopleFluent. Over the past two decades, he has been involved in software testing for a range of products and industries, including network routers & switches, virtual machines, capacitance touch devices, video games, and client/server, distributed database & web applications. Michael is a Black Belt in the Miagi-Do School of Software Testing, helped start and facilitate the Americas chapter of Weekend Testing, is a former Chair of the Education Special Interest Group with the Association for Software Testing (AST), a lead instructor of the Black Box Software Testing courses through AST, and former Board Member and President of AST. Michael writes the TESTHEAD blog and can be found on Twitter at @mkltesthead. A list of books, articles, papers, and presentations can be seen at http://www.linkedin.com/in/mkltesthead. Re-Read Saturday News In this week's installment of our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow Kahneman, formally introduces the Prospect Theory and talks about the difference between it and the Expected Utility Theory. When doing a little background research, Prospect Theory (part of his research on decision making under uncertainty)contributed to his winning the Nobel prize in economics. Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy. Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon, It's time to get reading! The current installment of Re-read Saturday Chapter 26 - Prospect Theory -http://bit.ly/2Nx3tWI Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 573 will feature our essay on a workflow to prioritize a backlog. Items on any backlog proliferate. Product backlogs used in agile and lean development approaches are no different. Many outsiders have the mistaken notion that once on the list that that is the end of the story - this is far from the truth! We will also have the return of Gen Hughson with an entry in his column, Form Follows Function.

SPaMCAST 571 features our essay titled the Art of Saying No. I recently presented a workshop on saying no -- a simple word that is very difficult to say. During the session, three specific reasons why participants could not say no generated a huge debate. Today we ask you to decide how you feel about the impact of a history of performance, interruptions, and demands. Feel free to share your opinion. We will also have a visit from Jeremy Berriault. In the QA Corner this month, Jeremy provides observations about outside interests and their ability to improve focus and reduce burnout. Jeremy's outside interests are Jiu-Jitsu and his family. Jeremy can be reached at Berriault and Associates Consulting Group or by email at Jeremy.Berriault@Berriaultandassociates.com. We had planned to have Michael Larsen on the cast this week, however, Mr. Larsen was affected by power outages in the Bay Area of California due to wildfires. Re-Read Saturday News In this week's installment of our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow we consider Chapter 25, Bernoulli's Errors. When I first read the chapter I struggled with how Kahneman's ideas translated to process improvement and change programs. I was naive enough to believe that the majority of outcomes could be predicted based on the economic outcome. After seeing more than one change program fail even though they could have had a positive return on investment, it dawned on me that the context and preexisting conditions as described in Chapter 25 should play a part in planning for change. Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy. Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon, It's time to get reading! The current installment of Re-read Saturday Chapter 25 - Bernoulli's Errors http://bit.ly/32bJ8dV Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 572 will feature our interview with Michael Larsen -- assuming the fires and Santa Ana winds cooperate. Michael and I will discuss testability. Anyone that has participated in delivering software EVER has wrestled with this problem. Michael brings fresh and actionable insights into how to assure testability.

SPaMCAST 570 features our essay on the components of good sprint goals. Sprint goals provide direction and energy, and they communicate with the outside world. A sprint goal should be a straightforward statement that a product owner should be able to craft quickly and then agree upon with a team. We provide a structure to keep goals simple and impactful. We will also have a visit from Susan Parente. In this installment of Susan's Not a Scrumdamentalist column, we discuss value. Value is core to many practices, the problem is that value is a very nebulous concept. Susan provides guidance. Continue the conversation with Susan at parente@s3-tec.com and visit her company at www.s3-tec.com Re-Read Saturday News And we are back! Kahneman titled chapter 24 The Engine of Capitalism. Optimism, Kahneman's engine of capitalism, convinces entrepreneurs to take risks and start new firms even when statistically most will fail for a myriad of reasons. In addition, this type of bias pushes start-ups to be resilient in the face of adversity. We are describing a double-edged sword. Long live optimism because with a bit of tempering it is a force that can define the future. Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy. Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon, It's time to get reading! The current installment of Re-read Saturday Chapter 24 The Engine of Capitalism - http://bit.ly/2WgNSgV Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 571 with feature our interview with Michael Larsen, Michael and I will discuss testability. Anyone that has participated in delivering software EVER, has wrestled with this problem. Michael brings fresh and actionable insights into how to assure testability.

SPaMCAST 569 features our essay on the five types of meetings. Meetings are the most important event in any organization — well that is what it seems like. It can also be said that meetings are the bane of every human that isn't buying or selling something (and that caveat might be an overstatement). Let's put a name on the five most common types in software-centric organizations. We will also have a visit from Jeremy Berriault. In the QA Corner this month, Jeremy provides observations about the inclusion (and sometimes the lack of inclusion) of QAs in ceremonies such as the Daily Scrum. Jeremy can be reached at Berriault and Associates Consulting Group or by email at Jeremy.Berriault@Berriaultandassociates.com. Re-Read Saturday News We added Mt Hood (last active in 1800s) to our tour of volcanoes so I did not get back on track, but never fear we really will be back next week (unless volcanoes pop up in Midwest…) Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy. Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon, It's time to get reading! If you have not, check out the last installment! Chapter 23: The Outside View http://bit.ly/35dOibJ Upcoming Events I am doing a webinar on value stream and process flow mapping for The Great IT Professional Organization on October 22, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EST. The registration link is http://bit.ly/2VaFzm3 The webinar is free! I hope you have time to be in the audience! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 570 will feature our essay on the components of good sprint goals. Sprint goals provide direction and energy, and they communicate to the outside world. A sprint goal sounds like a simple, straightforward statement that a product owner should be able to craft quickly and then agree upon with a team with relative ease -- in theory. We will sort it out. We will also have a visit from Susan Parente!

This week in SPaMCAST 568 marks the return of Sandeep Koorse. Sandeep brings deep insight into the Agile mindset, passion, and experimentation. All three are required for a healthy team. Sandeep last appeared as part of SPaMCAST 511. Sandeep is an innovative leader with over 15 years of experience in helping companies achieve higher results through a careful evaluation of their processes and their technology. Known for determining the metrics and behaviors that promote consistent excellence then sharing those values with colleagues through influence and authority. Recognized by peers for exceptional problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, and a passion for the community. Reach out to Sandeep at sandeep@koorse.com Re-Read Saturday News I am hiking volcanoes this week, literally! The 400+ page copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow has not been in my day pack (it is in the luggage). We will be back next week. Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy. Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon, It's time to get reading! If you have not, check out last week's installment! Chapter 23: The Outside View http://bit.ly/35dOibJ Upcoming Events Pacific NW Software Quality Conference will be held in Portland, Oregon beginning October 14th through the 16th. I will be speaking on the 15th! Register now: https://www.pnsqc.org/2019-conference/ I am doing a webinar on value stream and process flow mapping for The Great IT Professional Organization on October 22, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EST. The registration link is http://bit.ly/2VaFzm3 The webinar is free! I hope you have time to be in the audience! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 569 will feature our essay on the 5 types of meetings. Meetings are the most important event in any organization — well that is what it seems like. It can also be said that meetings are the bane of every human that isn't buying or selling something (and that caveat might be an overstatement). Lets put a name on the 5 most common types in software-centric organizations. We will also have a visit from Jeremy Berriault who will bring his QA Corner to the podcast!

This week in SPaMCAST 567 we discuss the impact of herding on work entry. Herding in decision making effectively takes "no" off the table, leading to uncontrolled work entry. This type of behavior is response-driven and dangerous. We will also have a visit from Gene Hughson to complete his three-part discussion of the solution architect. Today we discuss the solution architect as risk mitigation. Re-Read Saturday News This week in our re-read of Thinking, Fast and Slow, we have a chapter that needs to be read by anyone ever who has been asked for an estimate… ever. The chapter title is The Outside View and makes the case for another point of view when estimating. Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow, please buy a copy. Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. Buy a copy on Amazon, It's time to get reading! This week's installment! Chapter 23: The Outside View http://bit.ly/35dOibJ Upcoming Events Last call for the Agile Online Summit! This year's summit will be held October 7 - 11th --- EVERYWHERE, it's a virtual conference. Visit the website to sign-up. The basic conference is FREE. Register now at https://www.agileonlinesummit.com/2019 Pacific NW Software Quality Conference will be held in Portland, Oregon beginning October 14th through the 16th. I will be speaking on the 15th! Register now: https://www.pnsqc.org/2019-conference/ Webinar on value stream and process flow mapping for The Great IT Professional Organization on October 22, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EST. The registration link is http://bit.ly/2VaFzm3 The webinar is free! I hope you have time to be in the audience! Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 568 will feature a discussion with Sandeep Koorse. Sandeep returns to talk Agile mindset, passion, and experimentation.