Software Process and Measurement Cast

SPaMCAST 537 features our essay on the use of assessments for agile efforts. Assessments come under a wide variety of names: appraisals, health checks, audits or even assessments. These terms are commonly conflated. Assessments are a tool to prove a point. The essay in the cast explores the myriad types and reasons for assessments. Rounding out the cast is the Software Sensei, Kim Pries. Kim tackles physical security, including the wall (no politics included)! Re-Read Saturday News We continue our re-read of The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. Chapter Seven of Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point is a case study. Stop borrowing your best friends copy and buy a copy of the book for yourself! Check out the current entry of Re-Read Saturday at www.tcagley.wordpress.com Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 538 features the return of Ben Linders. Ben and I talk about his new agile assessment game. Fitting based on this week's essay!

SPaMCAST 536 features our interview with Dave Sohmer. Dave is an executive that has led two separate major agile transformations. Mr. Sohmer provides an executive's perspective on the impact of adopting agile in two major financial institutions. The two very different companies took to two very different approaches to agile. Bio: Dave Sohmer is a technology and operations executive with over 25 years of experience. He has spent many years in the code but has come to enjoy the people and process side of software almost as much. Dave has built and led many development teams at scale at Northern Trust and Bank of America Merrill Lynch over the last 20 years. Over that time he has come to believe in the power of the team as the fundamental unit that unlocks business agility. He has championed two large scale Lean Scrum transformations within the financial services sector and has come to appreciate that a healthy mix of Lean principles, Agile values, Scrum by the book, XP practices and common sense will radically change your business's view of technology from misunderstood adversary to trusted partner. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidasohmer Email: david@sohmer.net Re-Read Saturday News We continue our re-read of The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. Chapter Six of Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point continues the discussion of the role of context in approaching a tipping point. Stop borrowing your best friends copy and buy a copy of the book for yourself! Check out the current entry of Re-Read Saturday at www.tcagley.wordpress.com Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 537 will feature an essay on the use of assessments for agile efforts. Assessments come under a wide variety of names: appraisals, health checks, audit or even assessments. These terms are commonly conflated. Assessments are a tool to prove a point. The essay in the cast explores the myriad types and reasons for assessments. We will also have a new column from the Software Sensei, Kim Pries.

SPaMCAST 535 features our essay spawned when I was asked to help a Scrum Master who said: "I messed up a scrum team, should I do kanban?" There is not a straightforward answer because regardless of the path forward there are people issues that need to be dealt with first. Also in this podcast, we have a visit from Susan Parente and her 'I am not a Scrumdamentalist' column. In this installment, Susan discusses distributed Agile. Agile on distributed teams is often discussed in hushed tones. Susan brings the topic out into the open and provides excellent advice. Re-Read Saturday News We continue our re-read of The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. Chapter Four of Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point begins the discussion of the role of context in approaching a tipping point. Stop borrowing your best friends copy and buy a copy of the book for yourself! Check out the current entry of Re-Read Saturday at www.tcagley.wordpress.com Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 536 will feature our interview with Dave Sohmer. Dave is an executive that has led two separate major agile transformations. Mr. Sohmer provides an executive's perspective on the impact of adopting agile in two major financial institutions. The two very different companies led to two very different approaches to adopting agile.

SPaMCAST 534 features our interview with Al Shalloway. Al returns to the SPaMCAST after far too long. This week we discuss the trials and tribulations of scaling agile, and his passion about getting knowledge transfer right! I hope you have as good of a time listening to this interview as I had creating it. Bio Al Shalloway is the founder and CEO of Net Objectives. With 45 years of experience, Al is an industry thought leader in Lean, Kanban, product portfolio management, Scrum and agile design. He helps companies transition to Lean and Agile methods enterprise-wide as well teaches courses in these areas. Al is a former SAFe Program Consultant Trainer. Al has developed training and coaching methods for Lean-Agile that have helped Net Objectives' clients achieve long-term, sustainable productivity gains. He is a popular speaker at prestigious conferences worldwide. Website: https://www.netobjectives.com/ Email: alshall@netobjectives.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alshalloway/ Re-Read Saturday News This week we continue our re-read of The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. Chapter Three of Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point is a reminder of why this book continues to be important and useful. The density of ideas in this chapter is amazing. Stop borrowing your best friends copy and buy a copy of the book for yourself! Current entry: Week 4 - The Stickiness Factor - https://bit.ly/2GuSJ96 Previous entries Week 3 - The Law of the Few - https://bit.ly/2Buau46 Week 2 - The Three Rules of Epidemics - https://bit.ly/2DQnRNV Week 1 – Plans and Introduction -https://bit.ly/2S8PPwc Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 535 will feature an essay spawned when I was asked to help a Scrum Master who said: "I messed up a scrum team should I do kanban?" There is not a straightforward answer because regardless of the path forward there are people issues that need to be dealt with first. We will also have a visit from Susan Parente who brings her 'I am not a Scrumdamentalist' column to the cast!

SPaMCAST 533 features our essay titled, Can Agile (SAFe) Be Interfaced With Waterfall? The long answer is yes, but the short answer is yes, but try to find a way to avoid the self-inflicted complexity. If you can't avoid mixing and matching frameworks, there are paths to success you can leverage. Other essays in our series on interfacing SAFe and waterfall efforts include: Can Agile (SAFe) Be Interfaced With Waterfall? - https://bit.ly/2SLUmou Interfacing Agile (SAFe) With Waterfall? – Transparency - https://bit.ly/2MWNYFT Interfacing Agile (SAFe) With Waterfall? – Synchronization - https://bit.ly/2WVgLio Interfacing Agile (SAFe) With Waterfall? – Code - https://bit.ly/2I6eUUR This week we also have a quick visit from Tom Henricksen. Tom created the popular Online Agile Summit. Today he announces the DevOps Online Summit that will be held on April 8th through 11th. After you listen, check out the website! https://www.devopsonlinesummit.com/2019 Jeremy Berriault brings a new installment of the QA Corner (https://qacorner.blog/) to the cast this week. Jeremy leverages work by Simon Sinek and tackles the "why" of testing. Re-Read Saturday News This week we continue our re-read of The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. In chapter two, Gladwell dives into the law of the few. There are three types of people that are important to pushing an idea up to and over a tipping point: connectors, mavens, and salespeople. All three are required. Remember to dust off your copy or buy a new copy and read along! Current entry: Week 3 - The Law of the Few - https://bit.ly/2Buau46 Previous entries Week 2 - The Three Rules of Epidemics - https://bit.ly/2DQnRNV Week 1 – Plans and Introduction -https://bit.ly/2S8PPwc Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 534 will feature our interview with Al Shalloway. Al returns to the SPaMCAST to discuss the trials and tribulations of scaling agile and his passion about getting knowledge transfer right!

SPaMCAST features our interview with Julia Wester. Julia returns to the cast to discuss spectrum thinking. Specturn thinking is an important tool in system thinking and required to address complexity. Even though using binary thinking is rarely the most effective path, it is rare to use spectrum thinking to address problems. Julia provides a path to more effective decision making. Julia's Bio Julia is a Co-Founder of Lagom Solutions and its Principal Consultant. Lagom Solutions is an outcome-focused consulting and product company. Julia leads the consulting side of Lagom Solutions. When working with customers, she leverages her 18 years of experience working in and managing high-performing teams at companies such as Turner Broadcasting, F5 Networks, and LeanKit. Julia is passionate about teaching others how to tame the chaos of everyday work by embracing transparency, continuous improvement, and a lagom mindset. She also loves talking about how management doesn't have to be a dirty word. Julia blogs at everydaykanban.com and tweets at @everydaykanban. Re-Read Saturday News This week we continue our re-read of The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. In Chapter one, Gladwell suggests that there are three factors that impact whether an idea or product crosses a tipping point; they are the law of the few, the stickiness factor, and the power of context. Chapter one introduces these concepts and presents real-life examples to illustrate the factors. Dust off your copy or buy a new copy. Current entry: Week 2 - The Three Rules of Epidemics - https://bit.ly/2DQnRNV Previous entries Week 1 – Plans and Introduction -https://bit.ly/2S8PPwc Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 533 will feature our essay titled, Can Agile (SAFe) Be Interfaced With Waterfall? The long answer is yes, but the short answer is closer to try to find a way to avoid the self-inflicted complexity. We will also hear from Jeremy Berriault. In this installment of the QA Corner, Jeremy tackles the "why" of testing.

SPaMCAST 531 features our essay on Balancing Control and Self-Organization to Avoid Heat Death. Control and self-organization represent a classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears problem. We discuss whether there is a solution. Interested in more on this topic? Other blog entries include: Balancing Control and Self-Organization to Avoid Heat Death -https://bit.ly/2UnzfGu Balancing of Autonomy with Alignment - https://bit.ly/2Sg1xFy VUCA, Heat Death and Gray Goo - https://bit.ly/2RhlGq8 In the second spot this week we hear from Jon M Quigley who brings his Alpha and Omega of Product Development to the cast. Jon discusses the impact of cognitive biases on product development. Fighting biases is an important role for product owners and developers alike. The fight is rarely easy. Re-Read Saturday News This week we begin our re-read of The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. We are re-reading this book because it is important for any person involved in leading or participating in change (this is all of us). Dust off your copy or buy a new copy. Current entry: Week 1 – Plans and Introduction -https://bit.ly/2S8PPwc Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 532 will feature our interview with Julia Wester. Julia returns to the cast to discuss her passion for the topic of spectrum thinking. Rarely is using binary thinking the most effective path; however, it is rare to use spectrum thinking to address problems. Julia provides a path to more effective decision making.

On January 18, 2007 show zero was posted. Show zero established the RSS feed and let me get some of the bugs out of our workflow. We begin year 13 next week. Thank you for being part of the Software Process and Measurement Cast. SPaMCAST 530 features our interview with Justin McPherson. Justin and I talked about the role of the enterprise architect in agile. Organizations struggle with the role of the architect as they embrace agile methods. However it is not all about agile, the multiple layers of architecture such as solution, application and enterprise add to the confusion and the perception that people need to jump through too many hoops. Justin's experience provides direction. Justin's LinkedIn Bio: Executive consultant with 25 years of experience in IT Strategy, Enterprise Architecture and Business Transformation leadership. Specializing in Establishing the Office of the Architect, Enterprise Architecture Design & Performance Management, Enterprise Architecture Platforms, Application Portfolio Optimization, Operating Model Frameworks, Business Transformation, Enterprise Risk Management and Information Security & Regulatory Compliance Contact Information LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/justinmcpherson Email: jmcpherson@eastrategy.com Re-Read Saturday News Re-Read Saturday News I have been vacillating between an intense discussion of Bad Blood and a terse and blunt statement about Theranos. In the end, I took a middle path. If you want to dive into the detail again, grab the book and the follow our re-read through it. If you want the later, check final thoughts to get the bottom line! Remember that we will re-read The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell next (get a copy). Next week we will lay out our approach to The Tipping Point. Current Entry: Week 13 - Final Thoughts - https://bit.ly/2sAnBMr Previous Entries: Week 1 – Approach and Introduction – https://bit.ly/2J1pY2t Week 2 -- A Purposeful Life and Gluebot - https://bit.ly/2RZANGh Week 3 -- Apple Envy, Goodbye East Paly and Childhood Neighbors - https://bit.ly/2zbOTeO Week 4 -- A Reflection -https://bit.ly/2RA6AfT Week 5 -- Sunny - https://bit.ly/2AZ5tRq Week 6 - The miniLab - https://bit.ly/2rfmwJh Week 7 - Wellness Play - https://bit.ly/2rqUYk6 Week 8 - Who is LTC Shoemaker - https://bit.ly/2GkbWv0 Week 9 - Lightning a Fuisz and Ian Gibbons - https://bit.ly/2QR7poR Week 10 - Chiat\Day, Going Live and Unicorn - https://bit.ly/2SrRpGv Week 11: The Grandson, Fame and The Hippocratic Oath - https://bit.ly/2FfSwp3 Week 12 : Chapters 19 through Epilogue - https://bit.ly/2RoSYZ3 Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 531 will feature our essay on Balancing Control and Self-Organization to Avoid Heat Death. Control and self-organization represent a classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears problem. We discuss whether there is a solution. We will also have a visit from Gene Hughson or Jon M Quigley.

SPaMCAST 529 features our essay titled Habit and Commitment. We are still early enough in the year to be pursuing new beginnings and the New Year resolutions you made a few weeks ago. Commitment and habits can be positively interrelated. Commitment is being dedicated to a cause or activity. Habits reflect a more or less fixed routine. We also have a visit from the Software Sensei, Kim Pries. Kim discusses nonlinear and analog thinking. Kim's essay is a perfect counterpoint to Habit and Commitment Re-Read Saturday News I decided to complete the content portion of the re-read of Bad Blood this week. From a team-level perspective, I believe we can all recognize some if not all of the behaviors seen in Bad Blood, albeit on a far less sociopathic scale. If this were a business novel, it would be easy to assume that the behavior shown in the book is hyperbole used to make a grand point. In Theranos's case, the supporting reading I have done suggests the book is somewhat understated. Why do people take the abuse? Why is money the only thing that matters to some? Why do some people say yes to doing work they know is ethically wrong? I am not sure this book answers those questions nor do I think my analysis can shed light on the psychological rationale of individuals; however, next week we will wrap up our re-read by reflecting on the impact of Theranos like behavior at the team level. Remember that we will re-read The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell next (get a copy soon). Current Entry: Week 12 : Chapters 19 through Epilogue - https://bit.ly/2RoSYZ3 Previous Entries: Week 1 – Approach and Introduction – https://bit.ly/2J1pY2t Week 2 -- A Purposeful Life and Gluebot - https://bit.ly/2RZANGh Week 3 -- Apple Envy, Goodbye East Paly and Childhood Neighbors - https://bit.ly/2zbOTeO Week 4 -- A Reflection -https://bit.ly/2RA6AfT Week 5 -- Sunny - https://bit.ly/2AZ5tRq Week 6 - The miniLab - https://bit.ly/2rfmwJh Week 7 - Wellness Play - https://bit.ly/2rqUYk6 Week 8 - Who is LTC Shoemaker - https://bit.ly/2GkbWv0 Week 9 - Lightning a Fuisz and Ian Gibbons - https://bit.ly/2QR7poR Week 10 - Chiat\Day, Going Live and Unicorn - https://bit.ly/2SrRpGv Week 11: The Grandson, Fame and The Hippocratic Oath - https://bit.ly/2FfSwp3 Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 530 features our interview with Justin McPherson. Justin and I talked about the role of the enterprise architect in agile. Many organizations struggle to incorporate enterprise architecture into agile practices, Justin's experience provides direction.

SPaMCAST 528 features our interview with Allan Kelly. Allan makes his third appearance on the cast to talk about his book Continuous Digital (buy a copy!) and the state of agile. A great way to start the year! Allan's Bio: Allan Kelly helps companies large and small enhance their agility and boost their digital offering. Past clients include Virgin Atlantic, Qualcomm, The Bank of England, Reed Elsevier and many small innovative companies you've never heard of. He invented Value Poker, Time-Value Profiles and Retrospective Dialogue Sheets. He is the author of "Dear Customer, the truth about IT" and books including "Project Myopia", "Continuous Digital", "Xanpan" and "Business Patterns for Software Developers". His blog is at https://www.allankellyassociates.co.uk/blog/ and on twitter he is @allankellynet. Re-Read Saturday News My intent is to complete our re-read of Bad Blood, Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup in three more weeks. The book has 24 chapters and an epilogue, therefore there will be two more weeks on the book and then a wrap-up. We will re-read The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell next. This week we tackle three more chapters in which we learn money is thicker than blood (something I learned working in a department store during college), and that people with a moral basis for ethics always have a breaking point (something I have only had to tangentially face). Week 11: The Grandson, Fame and The Hippocratic Oath - https://bit.ly/2FfSwp3 Previous Entries: Week 1 – Approach and Introduction – https://bit.ly/2J1pY2t Week 2 -- A Purposeful Life and Gluebot - https://bit.ly/2RZANGh Week 3 -- Apple Envy, Goodbye East Paly and Childhood Neighbors - https://bit.ly/2zbOTeO Week 4 -- A Reflection -https://bit.ly/2RA6AfT Week 5 -- Sunny - https://bit.ly/2AZ5tRq Week 6 - The miniLab - https://bit.ly/2rfmwJh Week 7 - Wellness Play - https://bit.ly/2rqUYk6 Week 8 - Who is LTC Shoemaker - https://bit.ly/2GkbWv0 Week 9 - Lightning a Fuisz and Ian Gibbons - https://bit.ly/2QR7poR Week 10 - Chiat\Day, Going Live and Unicorn - https://bit.ly/2SrRpGv Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 529 will feature an essay titled Habit and Commitment. Commitment and habits can be positively interrelated. Commitment is being dedicated to a cause or activity. Habits reflect a more or less fixed routine. We will also have a column from Kim Pries.