Software Process And Measurement Cast

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 124 SPaMCAST 124 features my interview with Gerard "Jerry" Hill. Gerald and I talked about his book The Complete Project Management Methodology and Toolkit specifically and project management generally. A ton of good advice on instituting project management methodology in any organization.   Gerard Hill is the Principal of Hill Consulting Group, and has more than 25 years experience in project management practice design and implementation, information systems integration, and business process engineering.  His specialty is enabling businesses to gain and sustain a competitive edge through development and implementation of total-practice project management solutions.  He has conceived and constructed processes and practices that have enabled Fortune 100 and other client organizations to realize maximum benefit from their investment in project management. Prior to introducing Hill Consulting Group, Mr. Hill was with ESI International, where he served as Vice

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 123! In this week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast we have an entry in the Metrics Minute.  We cover Burn down charts are a critcial part of what makes agile work. The esay begins . . . Burn Down Charts are a graphical representation of the work left to be done and of the progress that has been made. The chart is typically drawn to show progress against predictions. The analogy of a glide path has been used to paint a picture of the slope and the ultimate destination of a burn down chart which targeted at completion. One of the most powerful attractions of the burn down chart is that it involves psychology by emotionally tying the metric to completion through the visual representation of a path counting down to zero. Book Plug . . .Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chemuturi and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing has hit the bookshelves!  According to Robert C. Anderson, Director

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 120. SPaMCAST 122 features my interview with Ted Theodoropoulos.  Ted and I talked about technical debt and whether the definition of techincal needs to be expanded to address the needs of our industry.  Ted’s background in technology began in the early 1980s developing applications in BASIC on the first personal computers.  It was during a school project that he first came in contact with technical debt  while collaborating with classmates to develop a video game for the TI-99/4a.  The project was loosely coordinated and faced immediate integration challenges when collaborators submitted their code forcing an extensive refactoring exercise.  Ted went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Masters in Business Administration from the Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. As a Senior Vice President at Bank of America, Ted held a number of leadersh

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 121! In this week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast we revist an essay originally broadcast in SPaMCAST 2.  We revisit the essay because I believe the events in TUnisia and Egypt over the past few weeks have driven the point home that  gates can impact the value of IT. The essay begins . . . A few weeks ago (now three years later) I attended a lecture by Jared Diamond.  His lecture was in support of his book. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed (2005).  The ideas in the book concern the anthropology of societies however they are equally relevant to why process improvement programs succeed or fail.  Two of the ideas Dr. Diamond put forth on why societies collapse that are instantly germane to SPI programs were: • Elites isolate themselves, and• An inability to reassess core values Can anyone say gates or silos? Book Plug . . .Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chemuturi and my

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 120. SPaMCAST 120 features my interview with Peter Thomas, a techincal specialist in software sizing and related fields at Steria.  He is also a member of the Counting Practice Committee in International Function Point User's Group.  We discussed the attributes of mature metric programs.  Peter is a Chartered IT Professional with experience in project management, design, implementation, test, and deployment of defence and commercial software.He is recognised as a technical specialist in software sizing, IT measurement, and estimating, in Steria, IBM, and the IT industry. Steria is an IT Services company whose revenues have exceeded 1 billion Euros each year since 2005.  He has been an International Function Point User’s Group (IFPUG) Certified Function Point Specialist (CFPS) since the late 90s and a member of the IFPUG Counting Practices Committee, “owner” of International Standards Organisation (ISO) standard ISO/IEC 20926 since January 2007.He was the te

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 119! In this week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast we have another installment of the Metrics Minute.  This Metrics Minute is focused on Velocity.  The esay begins . . . The simple definition of velocity, as it is currently used, is the amount of work that is completed in a period of time (typically a sprint). The definition is related to productivity which is the amount of effort required to complete a unit of work and delivery rate which measures the speed that work is completed.  The inclusion of a time box (the sprint) creates a fixed duration which transforms velocity into more of a productivity metric than a speed metric (how much work can be be done in a specific timescale by a specific team). Therefore to truly measure velocity you need to estimate the units of work completed, have a definition of complete and have a time box. Book Plug . . .Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chem

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 118. SPaMCAST 118  features my interview with Elizabeth Harrin author of Social Media for Project Managers and the influential blog A Girl’s Guide to Project Management. Elizabeth and I had a wonderful conversation about how social media can improve project and project manager performance.  Elizabeth Harrin, BA (Hons), MA, MBCS is an author and portfolio manager living and working in London.  She has a decade of experience in projects.  Elizabeth has led a variety of IT and process improvement projects including e-commerce and communications developments. She is also experienced in managing business change, having spent eight years working in financial services (including two based in Paris, France).  She writes the award-winning blog, A Girl’s Guide to Project Management and is author of Project Management in the Real World and Social Media for Project Managers.  She is also a founding member of PMI’s New Media Council. Blog: www.pm4girls.co.ukwebsite : ww

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 117! In this week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast we have a review of Naomi Karten's book Presentation Skills for Technical Professionals: Achieving Excellence.  Remember Naomi appeared in the interview segment last week (check it out at http://bit.ly/gwkFv3).  In this week’s Cast we are starting a new segment, Association News.  Kevin Brennan of the International Institute of Business Analysis opens the segment with news from the IIBA (PS Kevin was interviewed on SPaMCAST 69 http://bit.ly/ieHJbh).  Finally in the run up to the Software Process and Measurement Cast's 4th Anniversary I am re-mastering some of the essays from year one.  I am including the re-master d essay from SPaMCAST 3 aired February 25th 2007.  The essay is titled, Measurement Proliferation, Guarding the Peace or Mutually Assured Destruction?  The article explores proliferation in depth (measuring the same thing many ways) and breadth (measuring everything).  Strange I still see t

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 116! The Software Process and Measurement Cast this week features an interview with Naomi Karten discussing her 7th book, Presentation Skills for Technical Professionals: Achieving Excellence. If you have to get up in front people (real or virtual) I commend this interview to you and suggest book marking it as you will be back OFTEN! I also suggest they you buy the book! Naomi Karten (www.nkarten.com) is well-known for delivering serious material with a light touch. As principal of her training and consulting business, she has delivered seminars and presentations to more than 100,000 people in such diverse locations as Oslo, Zurich, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Trinidad, and Costa Rica, as well as throughout the US and Canada. Her services help organizations and individuals improve customer satisfaction, manage change, and strengthen communication skills. Naomi’s 7th book, Presentation Skills for Technical Professionals: Achieving Excellence, which is the subject of

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 115! Recorded in the Marriott Courtyard Dun Loring Fairfax in Virginia.  Happy New Year! Moral Hazards occur when someone insulated from risk behaves differently than they would behave if they were fully exposed to the risk. I recently listened to someone order two pounds of chicken wings and then comment that his high cholesterol drugs would protect him from the potential negative impact.  He felt insulated from the risk therefore made a different choice if he had not been insulated. The discussions financial crises and bank bailouts have embedded the term moral hazard into our day to day vocabulary (not just into discussions of behavioral economics). While it is rare, even today,  to attach the concept of moral hazard to a methodology or software development framework, I would suggest that when applied to the world of project governance, moral hazards do exist and might not be easily recognized or mitigated. While I am not suggesting you will run into any

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:  bzimmerman@itdirections.comWebsite: http://www.itdirections.com/index.htmlPhone:  952-445-4112 The audio for

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. Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques 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:  spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www

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, hig

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. Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques 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:  spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitt

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

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.  Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques 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 begin

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 manufact

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.  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 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 mu

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 www.BPMInstitute.org and is the Editorial Director of the BD

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 man