Software Process and Measurement Cast

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast is our magazine with three features. We begin with Jo Ann Sweeney’s Explaining Change column. In this column Jo Ann tackles the concepts of messages and themes. I consider this the core of communication. Visit Jo Ann’s website at http://www.sweeneycomms.com and let her know what you think of her column. The middle segment is our essay on commitment. The making and keeping of commitments are core components of both professional behavior and Agile. The simple definition of a commitment is a promise to perform. Whether Agile or Waterfall, commitments are used to manage software projects. Commitments drive the behavior of individuals, teams and organizations. Commitments are powerful! We wrap this week’s podcast up with a new column from the Software Sensei, Kim Pries. In this installment Kim discusses software HALT testing. HALT stands for highly accelerated life test. The goal is to find defects, faults and things that go bump in the night in hours or days rather than waiting for weeks, months or years. Whether you are testing software, hardware or some combination this is a concept you need to have in your portfolio. Call to action! Can you tell a friend about the podcast? Even better, show them how you listen to the Software Process and Measurement Cast and subscribe them! Send me the name of you person you subscribed and I will give both you and the horde you have converted to listeners a call out on the show. Re-Read Saturday News The next book in our Re-Read Saturday feature will be Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox’s The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement. Originally published in 1984, it has been hugely influential because it introduced the Theory of Constraints, which is central to lean thinking. The book is written as a business novel. On February 21st we will begin re-read on the Software Process and Measurement Blog Note: If you don’t have a copy of the book, buy one. If you use the link below it will support the Software Process and Measurement blog and podcast. Dead Tree Version or Kindle Version Next SPaMCast In the next Software Process and Measurement Cast we will feature our interview Anthony Mersino, author of Emotional Intelligence for Project Managers and the newly published Agile Project Management. Anthony and I talked about Agile, coaching and organizational change. A wide ranging interview that will help any leader raise the bar! 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.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast features our interview with Alex Papadimoulis. Alex is returning to the Software Process and Measurement Cast to discuss Release. Release is card game about making software inspired by development strategies like Lean, Agile, and DevOps, and classic trick -taking card games. We also circled back to talk about continuous delivery and DevOps; a bit of lagniappe to add to a great interview. Alex’s Bio: Alex is a speaker and writer who is passionate about looking beyond the code to build great software. In addition to founding Inedo - the makers of BuildMaster, the popular continuous delivery platform - Alex also started The Daily WTF, a fun site dedicated to building software the wrong way. Contact Information:Email: apapadimoulis@inedo.comTwitter: @apapadimoulisWeb: http://inedo.com/Other Web: http://thedailywtf.com/ Call to action! We are just completed a re-read John Kotter’s classic Leading Change on the Software Process and Measurement Blog (www.tcagley.wordpress.com) and are in process of choosing the next book for Re-read Saturday. Please go to the poll and cast your vote by February 15? Vote now at Software Process and Measurement Blog! Next SPaMCast In the next Software Process and Measurement Cast we will feature our essay on commitment. What is the power of making a commitment? The making and keeping of commitments are core components of professional behavior. The simple definition of a commitment is a promise to perform. Whether Agile or Waterfall, commitments are used to manage software projects. Commitments drive the behavior of individuals, teams and organizations. Commitments are powerful! 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.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

This week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast features our essay on the ubiquitous stand-up meeting. The stand-up meeting has become a feature of Agile and non-Agile project alike. The technique can be a powerful force to improve team effectiveness and cohesion, or it a can really make a mess out of things! We explore how to get more of the former and less of the later We also have a new Form Follows Function column from Gene Hughson. This column is the second of a three column arc on micro-services and architecture. This installment is titled “Who Needs Architects? – Navigating the Fractals.” Check out Gene’s blog at Form Follows Function. We also continue with Jo Ann Sweeney’s column Explaining Communication. In this installment Jo Ann addresses communication objectives and why setting and understanding those objectives BEFORE you start the communication process is a big deal if you are interested in being effective! Visit Jo Ann’s website at http://www.sweeneycomms.com and let her know what you think of her new column. NextIn the next Software Process and Measurement Cast we will feature our interview with Alex Papadimoulis. Alex is returning to the Software Process and Measurement Cast to discuss Release. Release is card game about making software inspired by development strategies like Lean, Agile, and DevOps, and classic trick -taking card games. We also circled back to talk about continuous delivery and DevOps; a bit of lagniappe to add to a great interview. Call to action! We are just completed a re-read John Kotter’s classic Leading Change on the Software Process and Measurement Blog (www.tcagley.wordpress.com) and are in process of choosing the next book for Re-read Saturday. Please go to the poll and cast your vote by February 15! Vote now at Software Process and Measurement Blog! Shameless Ad for my book!Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques as 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.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

Software Process and Measurement Cast features our Interview with Steve Tendon. We discussed his new book Hyper-Productive Knowledge Work Performance, The TameFlow Approach and Its Application to Scrum and Kanban published J Ross. Steve discussed how to lead knowledge workers and build a hyper-performing knowledge work organization. We talked about the four flows, psychology, information, work and finance that affect performance. Steve’s ideas can be used to help teams can raise their game to deliver results that not only raise the bar but jump over it. Steve has a great offer for SPaMCAST listeners. Check out https://tameflow.com/spamcast for a way to get Hyper-Productive Knowledge Work Performance, The TameFlow Approach and Its Application to Scrum and Kanban at 40% off the list price. Steve’s Bio Steve Tendon, creator of the TameFlow management approach, is a senior, multilingual, executive management consultant, experienced at leading and directing multi­national and distributed knowledge-­work organizations. He is an expert in organizational performance transformation programs. Mr. Tendon is a sought-after adviser, coach, mentor and consultant, as well as author and speaker, specializing in organizational productivity, organizational design, process excellence and process innovation. Steve helps businesses create high-performance organizations and teams and holds a MSc. in Software Project Management from the University of Aberdeen. Mr. Tendon has published numerous articles and is a contributing author to Agility Across Time and Space: Implementing Agile Methods in Global Software Projects. Steve is currently a Director at TameFlow Consulting Ltd, where he helps clients achieve outstanding organizational performance by applying the theories and practices described in this book. Mr. Tendon has held senior Software Engineering Management roles at various firms over the course of his career, including the role of Technical Director for the Italian branch of Borland International, the birthplace of hyper-productivity in software development. Borland's development of Quattro Pro for Windows remains the most productive software project ever documented. This case was Mr. Tendon’s source of inspiration that lead to his development of the TameFlow perspective and management approach. Contact Information: Web: https://tameflow.com/Web: http://tendon.net/Twitter: @tendon Next In the next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature our essay on the ubiquitous stand-up meeting. The stand-up meeting has become a feature of agile and non-agile project alike. The technique can be a powerful force to improve team effectiveness and cohesion or it a can really make a mess out of things! We explore how to get more of the former and less of the later! Call to action! We are just completed a re-read John Kotter’s classic Leading Change on the Software Process and Measurement Blog (www.tcagley.wordpress.com). Please feel free to jump in and add your thoughts and comments! Next week we will start the process to choose the next book based on the list you have suggested. You can still influence the possible choices for the next re-read by answering the following question: What are the two books that have most influenced you career (business, technical or philosophical)? Send the titles to spamcastinfo@gmail.com.. We will publish the list next week on the blog and ask you to vote on the next book for “Re-read” Saturday. Feel free to choose you platform; send an email, leave a message on the blog, Facebook or just tweet the list (use hashtag #SPaMCAST)! 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.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

Subscribe to the Software Process and Measurement Cast on ITunes The Software Process and Measurement Cast our essay on product owners. The role of the product owner is one of the hardest to implement when embracing Agile. However how the role of the product owner is implemented is often a clear determinant of success with Agile. The ideas in our essay can help you get it right. We will also have a new column from the Software Sensei, Kim Pries. In this installment Kim discusses the fact that are numerous ways go get something done when writing code. Some are the right way and some are wrong way. For example, are you willing to sacrifice clarity for cool or fast? We also continue with Jo Ann Sweeney’s column Explaining Communication. In this installment Jo Ann addresses why knowing who your audiences and stakeholders are will help make your communication more efficient and effective! Visit Jo Ann’s website at http://www.sweeneycomms.com and let her know what you think of her new column. Next In the next Software Process and Measurement Cast we will feature our Interview with Steve Tendon. Steve has been a regular on the podcast in the past but took a break to hone his ideas on hyper-productive knowledge work. We discussed his new book Tame The Flow: Hyper-Productive Knowledge-Work Management published J Ross and how teams can raise their game to deliver results that not only raise the bar but jump over it Call to action! We are in the middle of a re-read of John Kotter’s classic Leading Change on the Software Process and Measurement Blog. Are you participating in the re-read? Please feel free to jump in and add your thoughts and comments! After we finish the current re-read will need to decide which book will be next. We are building a list of the books that have had the most influence on readers of the blog and listeners to the podcast. Can you answer the question? What are the two books that have most influenced you career (business, technical or philosophical)? Send the titles to spamcastinfo@gmail.com. First, we will compile a list and publish it on the blog. Second, we will use the list to drive future “Re-read” Saturdays. Re-read Saturday is an exciting new feature that began on the Software Process and Measurement blog on November 8th. Feel free to choose you platform; send an email, leave a message on the blog, Facebook or just tweet the list (use hashtag #SPaMCAST)! 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.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

The Software Process and Measurement Cast features our interview with Charley Tichenor and Talmon Ben-Cnaan on the Software Non-Functional Assessment Process (SNAP). SNAP is a standard process for measuring non-functional size. Both Talmon and Charley are playing an instrumental role in developing and evolving the SNAP process and metric. SNAP helps developers and leaders to shine a light on non-functional work required for software development and is useful for analyzing, planning and estimating work. Talmon’s Bio: Talmon Ben-Cnaan is the chairperson of the International Function Point User Group (IFPUG) committee for Non-Functional Software Sizing (NFSSC) and a Quality Manager at Amdocs. He led the Quality Measurements in his company, was responsible for collecting and analyzing measurements of software development projects and provided reports to senior management, based on those measurements. Talmon was also responsible for implementing Function Points in his organization. Currently he manages quality operations and test methodology in Amdocs Testing division. The Amdocs Testing division includes more than 2,200 experts, located at more than 30 sites worldwide, and specializing in testing for the Telecommunication Service Providers. Amdocs is the market leader in the Telecommunications market, with over 22,000 employees, delivering the most advanced business support systems (BSS), operational support systems (OSS), and service delivery to Communications Service Providers in more than 50 countries around the world. Charley’s Bio: Charley Tichenor has been a member of the International Function Point Users Group since 1991, and twice certified as a Certified Function Point Specialist. He is currently a member of the IFPUG Non-functional Sizing Standards Committee, providing data collection and analysis support. He recently retired from the US government with 32 years’ experience as an Operations Research Analyst, and is currently an Adjunct Professor with Marymount University in Washington, DC, teaching business analytics courses. He has a BSBA degree from The Ohio State University, an MBA from Virginia Tech, and a Ph.D. in Business from Berne University. Note: Charley begins the interview with a work required disclaimer but then we SNAP to it … so to speak. Next In the next Software Process and Measurement Cast we will feature our essay on product owners. The role of the product owner is one of the hardest to implement when embracing Agile. However how the role of the product owner is implemented is often a clear determinant of success with Agile. The ideas in our essay can help you get it right. We will also have new columns from the Software Sensei, Kim Pries and Jo Ann Sweeney with her Explaining Communication series. Call to action! We are in the middle of a re-read of John Kotter’s classic Leading Change on the Software Process and Measurement Blog. Are you participating in the re-read? Please feel free to jump in and add your thoughts and comments! After we finish the current re-read will need to decide which book will be next. We are building a list of the books that have had the most influence on readers of the blog and listeners to the podcast. Can you answer the question? What are the two books that have most influenced you career (business, technical or philosophical)? Send the titles to spamcastinfo@gmail.com. First, we will compile a list and publish it on the blog. Second, we will use the list to drive future “Re-read” Saturdays. Re-read Saturday is an exciting new feature that began on the Software Process and Measurement blog on November 8th. Feel free to choose you platform; send an email, leave a message on the blog, Facebook or just tweet the list (use hashtag #SPaMCAST)! 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.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

SPaMCAST 323 features our essay, “Five Factors Leading to Failing With Agile.” Not all Agile implementations succeed. There are five categories of behaviors that lead Agile implementations toward failure. Failure due to these behaviors is avoidable if an organization recognizes them before the damage is done AND has the will to solve them. Forewarned is forearmed! We also have a new Form Follows Function column from Gene Hughson. This column begins a three column arc on micro-services and architecture. We begin with a “Microservice Principles and Enterprise IT Architecture.” Check out Gene’s blog at Form Follows Function. We also have a new Explaining Communication column from Jo Ann Sweeney. In this installment of Jo Ann’s column she discusses determining relevant and helpful objectives for communication activities as a precursor to getting value from project communication. Call to action! We are in the middle of a re-read of John Kotter’s classic Leading Change on the Software Process and Measurement Blog. Are you participating in the re-read? Please feel free to jump in and add your thoughts and comments! After we finish the current re-read will need to decide which book will be next. We are building a list of the books that have had the most influence on readers of the blog and listeners to the podcast. Can you answer the question? What are the two books that have most influenced you career (business, technical or philosophical)? Send the titles to spamcastinfo@gmail.com. First, we will compile a list and publish it on the blog. Second, we will use the list to drive future “Re-read” Saturdays. Re-read Saturday is an exciting new feature that began on the Software Process and Measurement blog on November 8th. Feel free to choose you platform; send an email, leave a message on the blog, Facebook or just tweet the list (use hashtag #SPaMCAST)! Next The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature our interview with Charley Tichenor and Talmon Ben-Cnaan on the Software Non-functional Assessment Process (SNAP). SNAP is a standard process for measuring non-functional size. As any developer knows, non-functional size can eclipse the functional requirements and therefore a tool that shines a light on that part of software development is useful for analyzing, planning and estimating work. 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.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese

SPaMCAST 322 features our interview with Clareice and Clyneice Chaney. Clareice and Clyneice provide insights and practical advice into how Agile and contracting work together. The focus of the interview is on contracting and acquisition of Agile testing, however the concepts we discussed can be applied to contracting for any type of service using Agile techniques. Clyneice Chaney brings over 30 years of testing, quality assurance, and process improvement experience. Clyneice holds certifications from the American Society for Quality as a Certified Quality Manager/Organizational Excellence and Project Management Institute's Professional Project Manager. She has participated as an examiner for Baldrige state quality awards for Georgia and Virginia. She is currently an instructor for an International Testing Certification organization and has presented technical papers at the Software Engineering Institute: SEPG Conference, American Society for Quality: Quality Manager's conference, Quality Assurance Institute International Testing Conference, International Conference on Software Process Improvement and Software Test and Performance Testing Conferences. Clareice Chaney has over 30 years’ experience in Commercial and Government Contracting with an emphasis in contracting within the information technology arena. She holds a PMP certification with the Project Management Institute and is a certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) through the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). She has presented at the National Contract Management Association World Congress and provided recent collaborations on agile testing and contracting at the Quality Assurance Institute International Conferences. Call to action! We are in the middle of a re-read of John Kotter’s classic Leading Change on the Software Process and Measurement Blog. Are you participating in the re-read? Please feel free to jump in and add your thoughts and comments! After we finish the current re-read will need to decide which book will be next. We are building a list of the books that have had the most influence on readers of the blog and listeners to the podcast. Can you answer the question? What are the two books that have most influenced you career (business, technical or philosophical)? Send the titles to spamcastinfo@gmail.com. First, we will compile a list and publish it on the blog. Second, we will use the list to drive future “Re-read” Saturdays. Re-read Saturday is an exciting new feature that began on the Software Process and Measurement blog on November 8th. Feel free to choose you platform; send an email, leave a message on the blog, Facebook or just tweet the list (use hashtag #SPaMCAST)! Next The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature our essay on the Attributes Leading to Faiure with Agile. Agile projects don’t work when there isn’t open and honest communication within a team. Problems also can occur when all team members are not involved, or if the organization has not bought into the principles of Agile. Knowing what can go wrong with Agile implementations and projects is a step to making sure they do not happen! We will also have the next Form Follows Function column from Gene Hughson and Explaining Change with Jo Ann Sweeney. 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.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

SPaMCAST 321 features our essay on the reasons for success with Agile. I asked friends and colleagues what they think are the top reasons an organization succeeds with Agile. The answers were not always what I expected. We review the top 11 factors leading to success with Agile. Listen and share your feedback. This episode also includes the next installment of Jo Ann Sweeney’s new column Explaining Change. Jo Ann discusses whether communication always adds value to a project. Visit Jo Ann’s website at http://www.sweeneycomms.com/ and let her know what you think of her new column. The third segment of this podcast is a new installment of the Software Sensei, where Kim Pries shines light on the area of cloud development. Development for cloud computing is red hot. Understand the nuances that developing for the cloud to enhance your effectiveness! Call to action! We are in the middle of a re-read of John Kotter’s classic Leading Change on the Software Process and Measurement Blog. Are you participating in the re-read? Please feel free to jump in and add your thoughts and comments! After we finish the current re-read will need to decide which book will be next. We are building a list of the books that have had the most influence on readers of the blog and listeners to the podcast. Can you answer the question? What are the two books that have most influenced you career (business, technical or philosophical)? Send the titles to spamcastinfo@gmail.com. First, we will compile a list and publish it on the blog. Second, we will use the list to drive future “Re-read” Saturdays. Re-read Saturday is an exciting new feature that began on the Software Process and Measurement blog on November 8th. Feel free to choose you platform; send an email, leave a message on the blog, Facebook or just tweet the list (use hashtag #SPaMCAST)! Next The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature our interview with Clareice and Clyneice Chaney. Clareice and Clyneice provide insights and practical advice into how Agile and contracting can work together. 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.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.

SPaMCAST 320 features our interview with Alfonso Bucero. We discussed his book, Today Is A Good Day. Attitude is an important tool for a project manager, team member or executive. In his book Alfonso provides a plan for honing your attitude. Alfonso Bucero, MSc, PMP, PMI-RMP, PMI Fellow, is the founder and Managing Partner of BUCERO PM Consulting. He managed IIL Spain for almost two years, and he was a Senior Project Manager at Hewlett-Packard Spain (Madrid Office) for thirteen years. Since 1994, he has been a frequent speaker at International Project Management (PM) Congresses and Symposiums. Alfonso has delivered PM training and consulting services in Spain, Mexico, UK, Belgium, Germany, France, Denmark, Costa Rica, Brazil, USA, and Singapore. As believer in Project Management, he teaches that Passion, Persistence and Patience as keys for project success. Alfonso co-authored the book Project Sponsorship with Randall L. Englund published by Josse-Bass in 2006. He has authored the book Today is a Good Day – Attitudes for achieving project success, published by Multimedia Publishing in Canada in 2010. He has also contributed to professional magazines in Russia (SOVNET), India (ICFAI), Argentina and Spain. Alfonso co-authored The Complete Project Manager and The Complete Project Manager Toolkit published with Randall L. Englund published by Management Concepts in March 2012. Alfonso published The Influential Project Manager in 2014 with CRC Press in the US. Alfonso has also published several articles in national and international Project Management magazines. He is a Contributing editor of PM Network (Crossing Borders), published by the “Project Management Institute”. Contact Alfonso: alfonso.bucero@abucero.comTwitter: @abuceroWebsite: http://www.abucero.com/ Call to action! We are in the middle of a re-read of John Kotter’s classic Leading Change on the Software Process and Measurement Blog. Are you participating in the re-read? Please feel free to jump in and add your thoughts and comments! After we finish the current re-read will need to decide which book will be next. We are building a list of the books that have had the most influence on readers of the blog and listeners to the podcast. Can you answer the question? What are the two books that have most influenced you career (business, technical or philosophical)? Send the titles to spamcastinfo@gmail.com. First, we will compile a list and publish it on the blog. Second, we will use the list to drive future “Re-read” Saturdays. Re-read Saturday is an exciting new feature that began on the Software Process and Measurement blog on November 8th. Feel free to choose you platform; send an email, leave a message on the blog, Facebook or just tweet the list (use hashtag #SPaMCAST)! Next In the next Software Process and Measurement Cast we will feature our essay on the requirements for success with Agile. Senior management, engagement, culture and coaches are components but not the whole story Upcoming Events DCG Webinars: Agile Risk Management - It Is Still ImportantDate: December 18th, 2014Time: 11:30am ESTRegister Now The Software Process and Measurement Cast has a sponsor. As many you know I do at least one webinar for the IT Metrics and Productivity Institute (ITMPI) every year. The ITMPI provides a great service to the IT profession. ITMPI’s mission is to pull together the expertise and educational efforts of the world’s leading IT thought leaders and to create a single online destination where IT practitioners and executives can meet all of their educational and professional development needs. The ITMPI offers a premium membership that gives members unlimited free access to 400 PDU accredited webinar recordings, and waives the PDU processing fees on all live and recorded webinars. The Software Process and Measurement Cast some support if you sign up here. All the revenue our sponsorship generates goes for bandwidth, hosting and new cool equipment to create more and better content for you. Support the SPaMCAST and learn from the ITMPI. 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.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book here. Available in English and Chinese.