Software Process and Measurement Cast

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 157! The SPaMCAST 157 answers the question, "why measure?" The essay begins:I was recently asked the question that, by its sheer simplicity, stopped me in my tracks. It was "why measure?" I wandered through a number of high minded and academic reasons describing why you should measure. Interested in sponsoring the SPaMCAST? If you are interested in being a sponsor please contact me at [email protected] for a rate sheet or to discuss options. 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 156 will feature an interview with Peter Taylor, the author of the The Lazy Project Manager: How to be twice as productive and still leave the office early. You will learn a TON!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 156! The SPaMCAST 156 features my interview with Linda Rising. One word, AGILE! Another word, IMPORTANT! Linda Rising has a Ph.D. from Arizona State University. Her background includes university teaching as well as work in industry in the areas of telecommunications, avionics, and strategic weapons systems. She is an internationally known presenter on topics related to agile development, patterns, retrospectives, and the change process. She is the author of numerous articles (www.lindarising.org) and has published four books: Design Patterns in Communications, The Pattern Almanac 2000, and A Patterns Handbook. Her latest book, written with Dr. Mary Lynn Manns, is titled Fearless Change: Patterns for introducing new ideas. Interested in sponsoring the SPaMCAST? If you are interested in being a sponsor please contact me at [email protected] for a rate sheet or to discuss options. 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 157 will feature Part 2 on Systems, Systems Thinking and Process Improvement. The essay is focused on the big picture and you should be too!!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 155! The SPaMCAST 155 features the first part of my essay Systems Thinking and Process Improvement: Systems and Systems Thinking, Part 1. A short part of a larger essay (flying today to Ireland). The essay begins:Have you ever researched, prototyped, piloted and implemented changes to processes only to find that that the final product takes just about as much time, effort and has about the level of quality. The second or third times that happens strongly suggests that optimizing steps within a system doesn’t always translate into better overall performance. Interested in sponsoring the SPaMCAST? If you are interested in being a sponsor please contact me at [email protected] for a rate sheet or to discuss options. 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."Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 156 will feature an interview with Linda Rising. One word, AGILE! Another word, IMPORTANT!

The SPaMCAST 154 features my interview with Bill Fox. We discussed process improvement and his publishing project, 5 Minutes to Process Improvement Success. 5 Minutes to Process Improvement Success provides a wealth of process improvement advice and information. Bill is a project management and performance improvement, consultant. Progressive organizations seeking to gain extraordinary value and results through performance improvement value his ability to focus and manage their improvement efforts on the right priorities. Bill is an expert at managing change projects in a way that builds momentum and enthusiasm throughout the organization while keeping the focus on delivering results. Born out of frustration with the way most organizations attempt to improve their operations, Bill created and publishes the popular 5 Minutes to Process Improvement Success interview series. In this work, Bill has established himself as an authority on uncovering and leveraging the best performance improvement strategies and tactics of top consultants from around the world. Bill openly shares and promotes these strategies and tactics to advance the state of the industry to the benefit of all. Bill also combines his performance improvement work with his passion for flying and aerial photography to help organizations gain a higher perspective for advancing their organizations to higher levels of performance. Bill is originally from Western Pennsylvania and earned a BS degree at Penn State after serving in the US Navy Nuclear Submarine Service. He has over 25 years of experience working as a consultant, project manager, analyst, and developer. Bill and his wife are proud parents of two amazing daughters and a high-spirited dachshund. He lives in Northern Virginia near Dulles Airport. When he's not reading one of the fifty or more books he reads each year, he enjoys flying, photography, cycling and running. Bill invites you to download his latest free interview series 5 Minutes to Process Improvement Success where you will find some of the best ideas anywhere on performance improvement, follow him on Twitter, or travel with him as he explores the world from 3,000 ft. at Fox High Perspective. Contact Bill Fox: Email: [email protected] 5 Minutes to Process Improvement Success: http://5minutespisuccess.com/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/Bi11Fox Flying: http://foxhighperspective.com/ Interested in sponsoring or getting involved with the Software Process and Measurement Cast? Have a comment or a rant? Contact the Software Process and Measurement Cast: Email: [email protected] Voicemail: +1-206-888-6111 Website: www.spamcast.net Twitter: www.twitter.com/tcagley Facebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV 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: "Mastering Software Project Management is useful for business leaders and entrepreneurs who need to develop an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of their team's approach to developing software." Have you bought your copy? Next! In the SPaMCAST 155 I will feature an essay discussing system thinking and process improvement!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 153! A funny thing happened on the way to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 153, I was distracted by a nice shiny idea therefore we have a short essay titled, "Impetus for Change". Because this essay was short I have included an essay from SPaMCAST 8 (May 2007) on Involvement. The topic is just as relevant today as then! 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 154 features my interview with Bill Fox! Bill compiles and publishes "5 Minutes to Process Improvement Success". We discussed his project, the value it delivers and process improvement in general.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 151! The SPaMCAST 152 will features an interview with Ron Rosenhead. We discussed all things project management! Are you a project manager, know a project manager or are looking for project management training? This interview is for you! Ron's Bio: Ron Rosenhead is and has been the Chief Executive Officer for Project Agency – a London based project management training and consultancy company While working on a major change programme Ron realised that managers were given huge business change projects but had received no specific training to support them. He set about rectifying this providing them with a range of events which supported them and the change programme. This was a turning point in his career and for the last 16 years Ron has run Project Agency a company dedicated to supporting organisations who want to increase the probability of project success. He has a passion for developing project management skills of professional staff. He is always looking for ways of tackling blockages to learning and ultimately effective delivery of projects. He speaks at conferences, runs training events, consults and writes all in the area of project management. He is a graduate and post graduate and a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts. Ron's Contact Data:Web: www.projectagency.co.uk Web: www.deliverthatproject.comEmail: [email protected]: http://twitter.com/#!/@ronrosenhead Interested in sponsoring the Software Process and Measurment Cast? Please contact me at [email protected] for a rate sheet or to discuss options. 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 153 will feature an essay discussing system thinking and process improvement!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 151! The SPaMCAST 151 features my essay Urgency and Importance: A Balance? Today's world is complicated. The lines between home and work have all but been erased due to tools that provide 24x7 connections and data feeds. The competition for our attention is daunting. Interested in being a sponsor? Contact Tom Cagley at [email protected] for a rate sheet or to discuss options. 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email: [email protected] Voicemail: +1-206-888-6111 Website: www.spamcast.net Twitter: www.twitter.com/tcagley Facebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 152 will feature an interview with Ron Rosenhead. Can you say project management? Even if you can't say project management, Ron will amuse and educate you!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 150! The SPaMCAST 150 features my interview Yuval Yeret. We discussed Kanban, Agile, life, the universe and everything. Ok I might have gotten a bit carried away but only a bit. SPAMCast listener ordering an AgileSparks Assessment and Management Focusing workshop by end of 2011 will get a 25% discount from list price - Mention SPAMCast when contacting AgileSparks. Yuval is leading the Kanban/Flow practice in AgileSparks, an international lean agile consulting company. He has been in the technology management world since 1994. He graduated top of class from the IDF Mamram Computer School and in the last 17 years held various management positions in IT and Product Development including several VP R&D positions, with a focus on the Networking and Storage worlds. Six years ago Yuval started used Lean/Agile thinking and practices to turn around technology organizations. On top of being a Kanban guru and nominee for the 2011 Lean SSC Brickell Key Award, Yuval is also a seasoned Scrum practitioner and CSM/CSP/CSPO. Yuval is a big believer in pragmatic best-of-breed solution design, taking the best from each approach, and not sticking to any particular Dogma. Yuval is based in Israel but you can often find him speaking and training/consulting in Europe and across the Atlantic. Contact Data: Blog: http://yuvalYeret.comWeb: http://www.agilesparks.com/Email: [email protected] A Word From Our Sponsor . . . THe SPaMCAST 149 is sponsored by LeanKit Kanban. LeanKit Kanban is a software tool for kanban that is as simple to use as physical kanban. If you put it up on a touchscreen in your team area, it practically IS physical kanban. But your boards are available from anywhere, and updated in real-time. A slew of colors, icons, and avatars take your visual signaling to the next level. And the system tracks the metrics for you, providing analytics on bottlenecks, lead time, work distribution, process efficiency, and variability - for a single board or a whole company. It's kanban for the Lean enterprise. Extended Free TRIAL for SPaMCAST Listeners! I have been using LeanKit Kanban for a personal project my wife and I are working on. This week I was in Canada and we could share the Kanban board across the miles with ease! I want to thank LeanKit Kanban for thier sponsorship over the past four shows. The sponsorship has helped defray some to the hosting, bandwidth costs and other administrative cost. If you are interested in being a sponsor please contact me at [email protected] for a rate sheet or to discuss options. 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email: [email protected] Voicemail: +1-206-888-6111 Website: www.spamcast.net Twitter: www.twitter.com/tcagley Facebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 151 will feature an essay on importance and urgency. They might be related but they are not the same!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 149! The SPaMCAST 149 features my simple checklist focusing on CMMI Readiness. We look at three categories in this checklist; resources, plans and attitude. Even if you are not contemplating the CMMI this checklist will be of interest. THe SPaMCAST 149 is sponsored by LeanKit Kanban. LeanKit Kanban is a software tool for kanban that is as simple to use as physical kanban. If you put it up on a touchscreen in your team area, it practically IS physical kanban. But your boards are available from anywhere, and updated in real-time. A slew of colors, icons, and avatars take your visual signaling to the next level. And the system tracks the metrics for you, providing analytics on bottlenecks, lead time, work distribution, process efficiency, and variability - for a single board or a whole company. It's kanban for the Lean enterprise. I have been using LeanKit Kanban for a personal project my wife and I are working on. This week I was in Canada and we could share the kanban board across the miles with ease! 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 150 features my interview with Yuval Yeret. We discussed Kanban and Agile. A great interview!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 148!The Software Process and Measurement cast 148 is sponsored by LeanKit Kanban. The interview in the SPaMCAST 148 is with Mattias Skarin. We talked about kanban, effectiveness and software development philosophy. I think it was a great interview and I hope you will like it! Biography: Mattias Skarin Sun Tzu once said the ultimate responsibility of generalship is to maneuver into a position of success. Mr Skarin asks, "How do we do this in software?" This is his quest. He works as a Lean and Kanban coach, creating systems that leverage the combined effort of many. Mattias solves problems, building people, so they can walk on your own. During his journey he has helped software teams deliver with confidence, scaled Scrum over multiple teams (cutting game cycle time from 24 months to 4) and improved life for operations and support using Kanban. He is the author of the book ”Kanban and Scrum, making the most of both” and regularly traina and coaches in Lean, Kanban and TDD. Contact information:http://www.crisp.se/mattias.skarinhttp://blog.crisp.se/ THe SPaMCAST 148 is sponsored by LeanKit Kanban. LeanKit Kanban is a software tool for kanban that is as simple to use as physical kanban. If you put it up on a touchscreen in your team area, it practically IS physical kanban. But your boards are available from anywhere, and updated in real-time. A slew of colors, icons, and avatars take your visual signalling to the next level. And the system tracks the metrics for you, providing analytics on bottlenecks, lead time, work distribution, process efficiency, and variability - for a single board or a whole company. It's kanban for the Lean enterprise. I have been using LeanKit Kanban for a personnal project my wife and I are working on. This week I was in Switzerland and we could share the kanban board accross continents with ease! Check out leankit.com/trial/spamcast to sign up for an extended free trial of LeanKit Kanban. And don't forget to download the new LeanKit iPad application in the App Store. All SPaMCAST listeners should visit and support our sponsor and thank them for helping defray the cost of providing the Software Process and Measurement Cast! 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." Have you bought your copy? If you have please post a review! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 149 features the next entry in my Simple Checklist Series. I have titled this one, Preparing For the CMMI The Right Way. I think you will get a lot out of this essay whether you are beginning a CMMI implementation or any major change program.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 147! The Software Process and Measurement cast 147 is sponsored by LeanKit Kanban. The essay in the SPaMCAST 147, which was edited as I flew to Zurich Switzerland, is titled Selfishness and Process Improvement. This essay suggests when marketing process changes to critical influencers you must understand the strategies they use to derive value from their career. The essay begins: Successful implementations of process improvement programs are always a reflection of a large number of tactical marketing engagements set within a larger, overarching communications or marketing program. My experience is that Process improvement implementations generally hinge on the decisions of one or a small group of critical influencers. The Prisoner’s Dilemma, a simple application of game theory can provide a framework for a proactive tactical marketing program that leverages the need of a practitioner to maximize the value of their participation in the process improvement implementation as a tool to support to their overall career goals. THe SPaMCAST 146 is sponsored by LeanKit Kanban. LeanKit Kanban is a software tool for kanban that is as simple to use as physical kanban. If you put it up on a touchscreen in your team area, it practically IS physical kanban. But your boards are available from anywhere, and updated in real-time. A slew of colors, icons, and avatars take your visual signalling to the next level. And the system tracks the metrics for you, providing analytics on bottlenecks, lead time, work distribution, process efficiency, and variability - for a single board or a whole company. It's kanban for the Lean enterprise. Sponsor! Check out leankit.com/trial/spamcast to sign up for an extended free trial of LeanKit Kanban. And don't forget to download the new LeanKit iPad application in the App Store. I ask all SPaMCAST listeners to visit and support our sponsor and thank them for helping defray the cost of providing the Software Process and Measurement Cast! 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." Have you bought your copy? If you have please post a review! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 148 features my interview with Mattias Skarin! We discussed all topics, Kanban! If you are interested in increased effectiveness and effiecency you will be interested in the conversation with Mattias.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 146! SPaMCAST 146 features my interview with SPaMCAST 146 features my interview with Michael West! Mr West wrote "Real Process Improvement Using the CMMI." We discussed the book and how and why the CMMI can be a tool for process improvement. Michael West has over 30 years experience innovating how software and systems are developed and delivered. Mr. West is co-founder of Natural Systems Process Improvement, a consultancy providing expertise in process and performance improvement. Mr. West is author of the 2004 book, "Real Process Improvement Using the CMMI," as well as numerous articles and presentations. Contact data: Email: [email protected]: www.naturalspi.com 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 great unsolicited reviews and the book has been picked up as a text book for university level work. Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! The SPaMCAST 147 will feature an essay tentatively titled "Selfishness and Process Improvement." It discusses how game theory can be applied in process improvement.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 145! In the SPaMCAST 145 we have an entry of the Metrics Minute. IFPUG Function Points are a measure of the functionality delivered by the project or application being counted based on a set of rules documented in the IFPUG Counting Practices Manual. The measure of delivered functionality is a proxy for size which can be used in estimating and measuring work. An analogy for function points is the measure of the number of square feet (or square meters) of a house. Knowing the number of square feet provides one view of the house but not other attributes such as price and number of bedrooms.Knowledge of functional size is a step in understanding development and / or maintenance effort. 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 146 features my interview with Michael West! Mr West wrote "Real Process Improvement Using the CMMI." We discussed the book and how and why the CMMI can be a tool for process improvment.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 144! SPaMCAST 144 features my interview with Mary Lynn Penn. We discussed the CMMI, Six Sigma, Lean, SCAMPI appraisals and more! Mary Lynn Penn is the Director of Strategic Process Engineering, at Lockheed Martin Corporation, Information Systems & Global Solutions (IS&GS), Lynn oversees policies and process command media, process compliance via audits and process improvement activities. She develops and manages compliance to multiple standards including CMMI DEV, CMMI SVC, ISO 9001/AS910, ISO 20000 and ISO 27001. Her Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Capability Maturity Model (CMM) involvement began with version 1.0 and has progressed to the current CMMI version 1.3. She has participated in multiple formal SPAs, CBA IPIs, Assessments using the Acquisition Model, Risk Evaluations and supported multiple Software Capability Evaluations per versions 1, 2, and 3. She has supported multiple assessments using both CMMI DEV and CMMI SVC. She is currently certified as a CMMI Instructor and a SCAMPI B/C Team Lead and an SEI Affiliate. She is the Industry lead for the CMMI V1.3 model release. Lynn has a BS in Mathematics from Villanova University, she has done graduate studies in Computer Science and Management Information Systems. She is a certified ISO 9000 internal auditor at Lockheed Martin. She is also a Certified Greenbelt and Blackbelt in Six Sigma and Lean Techniques. She has published a book “CMMI and Six Sigma: Partners in Process Improvement”. Please feel free to reach out the MS Penn on LinkedIn 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 great unsolicited reviews and the book has been picked up as a text book for university level work. Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! In the SPaMCAST 145 we will return to the Metrics Minute with an overview of IFPUG Function Points!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 143! In the SPaMCAST 143, I ask, "Do you have management support?" I recently asked many of my colleagues what they thought were the precursors to beginning a CMMI change program. Almost to a person, they began their list with senior management support which makes sense as the CMMI has become the top-down process improvement framework of choice. 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 144 features my interview with Mary Lynn Penn! We discussed the CMMI, Six Sigma, Lean, SCAMPI appraisals and more!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 142! SPaMCAST 142 features my interview with Capers Jones. Capers is an iconic figure in the field of software measurement and estimation. In this interview, we discussed function points, value metrics, software inspections and more. As always Capers is evocative and thought-provoking. Capers Jones is currently the President and CEO of Capers Jones & Associates LLC. He is also the founder and former chairman of Software Productivity Research LLC (SPR). He holds the title of Chief Scientist Emeritus at SPR. Capers Jones founded SPR in 1984. Before founding SPR Capers was Assistant Director of Programming Technology for the ITT Corporation at the Programming Technology Center in Stratford, Connecticut. He was also a manager and researcher at IBM in California. Capers is a well-known author and international public speaker. Some of his books have been translated into six languages. All of his books are translated into Japanese and his newest books are available in Chinese editions as well. Among his book titles are Patterns of Software Systems Failure and Success (Prentice Hall 1994), Applied Software Measurement, 3rd edition; (McGraw Hill 2008), Software Quality: Analysis and Guidelines for Success (International Thomson 1997), Estimating Software Costs, 2nd edition (McGraw Hill 2007), and Software Assessments, Benchmarks, and Best Practices (Addison Wesley Longman 2000). The 3rd edition of his book Applied Software Measurement was published in the Spring of 2008. His book entitled Software Engineering Best Practices was published by McGraw Hill in October of 2009. His current book is The Economics of Software Quality with Olivier Bonsignour as co-author, Addison Wesley, 2011. Capers and his colleagues have collected historical data from more than 600 corporations and more than 30 government organizations. This historical data is a key resource for judging the effectiveness of software process improvement methods. More than 13,000 projects have been reviewed. In addition to his technical books, Mr. Jones has also received recognition as a historian after the publication of The History and Future of Narragansett Bay in 2006 by Universal Publishers. His research studies include quality estimating, quality measurement, software cost and schedule estimation, software metrics, and risk analysis. Mr. Jones has consulted at more than 150 large corporations and also at a number of government organizations such as NASA, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, Internal Revenue Service, and the U.S. Courts. He has also worked with several state governments. Email: [email protected] 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 great unsolicited reviews and the book has been picked up as a textbook for university-level work. Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email: [email protected] Voicemail: +1-206-888-6111 Website: www.spamcast.net Twitter: www.twitter.com/tcagley Facebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! In the SPaMCAST 143 will deliver a checklist for use when preparing for a journey along the CMMI highway.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 141! In the SPaMCAST 141, I ask, "Are you ready to implement agile?" It might sound like a simple question but it is imperative that you not only have an answer but a structured rational for the answer. I propose a simple quiz (part of my simple checklist series) to structure the discussion when you want to know whether you are ready or not. It should be noted that like any readiness discussion, determining whether you are ready to implement agile should be viewed as a continuum. Your journey, whether remediating issues or planning for change, shouldn’t be thought of in absolutes; approach readiness as a journey. 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 142 features my interview with Capers Jones! We discussed extending function points, his new book and how to improve quality. Capers is always thought provoking!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 140! SPaMCAST 140 features my interview with Raja Bavani. We talked about his great article "The ten best influences on software product engineering." The article was originally publised in the SDTime This was a wide ranging interview went beyond influences and wrestles with the future! Raja Bavani is Technical Director of MindTree’s Product Engineering Services (PES) group and plays the role of Product Engineering Evangelist and Agile Coach. He has more than 20 years of experience in the IT industry and has published papers at international conferences on topics related to Code Quality, Distributed Agile, Customer Value Management and Software Estimation. His PES experience started during the early 90s, when he was involved in porting a leading ERP product across various UNIX platforms. Later he moved onto products that involved data mining and master data management. During early 2000, he worked with some of the niche independent software vendors in the hospitality and finance domains. At MindTree, he has worked with some of the top vendors of virtualization platforms, business service management solutions and health care products. His areas of interests include Global Delivery Model, Agile Software Development, Requirements Engineering, Software Architecture, Software Reuse, Customer Value Management, Knowledge Management, and IT Outsourcing. He is a member of IEEE and IEEE Computer Society. He regularly interfaces with educational institutions to offer guest lectures and writes for technical conferences. His Product Engineering blog is available at http://www.mindtree.com/blogs/category/software-product-engineeringHis articles and white papers on Agile Software Development are available at: http://mindtree.com/category/tags/agileHe can be reached at [email protected]'s personal blog - http://se-thoughtograph.blogspot.com 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 great unsolicited reviews and the book has been picked up as a text book for university level work. Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! So you want to go agile . . .in the SPaMCAST 141 I will present a simple checklist of factors you need to deal with as you progress with change.

I have combined the blog entries titled "Agile is from Venus and PMOs from Mars" into a single paper with some tweaks and edits for those that do not want to listen to the podcast or read the blog in serial fashion. Read it and let me your thoughts and comments then give it to a friend and let them know about the blog and podcast.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 139! In the SPaMCAST 139 we begin an exploration of financial metrics. The first class of financial metrics is those metrics that are used to decide which projects should be done. I call these return metrics and they ask the questions: Should we do this project? And more broadly, are their better uses for our assets? Generally these are questions are asked at the beginning of a project but can be equally powerful at different times during the project life cycle. Return metrics are focused on the financial aspect of project but less tangible assets can be incorporated. Attributes such as risk and strategy are examples of attributes that are often quantified and incorporated. Examples of this class of metric include Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Investment (ROI), payback period and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). In all cases these metrics account for income, a hurdle rate (interest rate or expected rate of return) and a comparison cost either based on assets, income, or equity. While these ratios are a rich source of decision making information, what they are not are tools to manage a project or programs. We begin with Return on Assets (ROA) is a ratio of the earnings generate from a project compared to the assets used to generate that revenue. ROA is a classic financial metric that when applied to projects, is typically used as a technique for project acceptance or in retrospective as a tool to evaluate overall performance. 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast:Email: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 140 features my interview with Raja Bavani from Mindtree. We discussed his recent article,“The 10 best influences on software product engineering.” THis is a fantastic interview that gives context to the world of software engineering we inhabit.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 138! SPaMCAST 138 features my interview with Jo Ann Sweeney. I think we would all agree that communication is an important tool for taming the clash of organizational perspectives, for creating a platform for collaboration or in other words for making projects work. Our interview covered these points and more and is a must for all of my listeners! Meet Jo Ann Sweeney Some years ago my husband and I were having an argument. We had opposite views and seemed to be going round in circles. I couldn’t understand why. Then the penny dropped. It was all about perspective. He sees things in black and white; I see in shades of grey. Once he realised I understood his point of view he expected me to agree with him. For him my understanding equalled agreement. Since then I’ve come to realise this same clash of perspectives happens in organisations all the time. Leaders and employees have very different outlooks that can undermine the whole organisation. Either they trust each other’s perspectives and are willing to collaborate. Or they use up huge amounts of energy trying to coerce each other – creating frustration, resistance, delays and escalating costs. In my 25+ years with multinationals, SMEs, government departments and charities I’ve come to realise this is all about relationships of trust. And about people listening to and understanding each other; being willing to put themselves in other people’s shoes. Today I lead Sweeney Communications , a consultancy dedicated to helping communicators and project professionals deliver communication activities that build trust and rapport with their audiences both internally and externally. My role invariably is as a catalyst, asking the difficult questions that help clients understand what their leaders expect of them. Then holding their hands while they win the buy-in of key people – executives, team members, government, customers. Much of what I’m learning I share through the CommsAbilities blog and ezine ; and the annual virtual Worth Working Summit Jo Ann Sweeney is a chartered marketer and trained journalist, and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and of the Institute of Internal Communication. 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 great unsolicited reviews and the book has been picked up as a text book for university level work. Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!In the SPaMCAST 139 we will return to the Metrics Minute and tackle one or two of the financial metrics that are important for projects.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 137! SPaMCAST 137 features an essay titled Abstractions. The essay begins: The world is complex; it is comprised of a myriad of processes each with their own slice of complexity. We all fear being sucked into whirlpool of complexity as evidenced by the laundry list of best selling books that purport to provide the tools needed to take control of our personal and professional worlds. Also included in this SPaMCAST is a product review by Joseph Hurtado, a long time SPaMCAST listener, for Agile Board which is an IPad app for agile / Kanban tool. Thank you for the review Joseph! 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 136 features my first live interview with Paul Brynes. We discussed the changes in the SCAMPI methodology used to appraise the CMMI. Important stuff if you have anything to do with the CMMI.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 136! SPaMCAST 136 features my interview with Dr Ginger Levin and J. LeRoy Ward discussing their new book, Program Management Complexity: A Competency Model (ESI International Project Management Series). We discussed program management, the impact of agile techniques and why competency is critical. A wonderful information packed interview! Dr. Ginger Levin is a senior consultant and educator in project management. Her specialty areas are portfolio management, program management, the Project Management Office, knowledge management, metrics, and maturity assessments. She is certified as a PMP®, PgMP®, and as an OPM3 Assessor and Consultant. She was the second person in the world to receive the PgMP. In addition, Dr. Levin is an Adjunct Professor for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where she teaches in its M.S. in Project Management Program and for SKEMA (Esc Lille) University, France, in its project management program at the master’s and doctoral level. Also, she is a Visiting Professor for RMIT in Melbourne, Australia. In consulting, she has served as Project Manager in numerous efforts for Fortune 500 and public-sector clients, including UPS, Citibank, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, General Electric, SAP, EADS, John Deere, Schreiber Foods, TRW, the New York City Transit Authority, the U.S. Joint Forces Command, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Prior to her work in consulting, she held positions of increasing responsibility with the U.S. Government, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Personnel Management, and the General Accounting Office. She is the co-author of Implementing Program Management: Forms and Templates Aligned with the Standard for Program Management, Second Edition (2008); Project Portfolio Management: Tools & Techniques; Metrics for Project Management; Achieving Project Management Success Using Virtual Teams; The Advanced Project Management Office: A Comprehensive Look at Function and Implementation; People Skills for Project Managers; Essential People Skills for Project Managers; The Business Development Capability Maturity Model; and ESI’s PMP Challenge! PMP Study Guide and the PgMP Study Guide (along with J. LeRoy Ward). Her book entitled Interpersonal Skills for Portfolio, Program, and Project Managers also was published in 2010. Dr. Levin received her doctorate in Information Systems Technology and Public Administration from The George Washington University, and received the Outstanding Dissertation Award for her research on large organizations. She also was inducted into Phi Alpha Alpha, the National Honorary Society for Public Affairs and Administration. J. LeRoy Ward, Executive Vice President, is responsible for ESI’s worldwide product offerings and international partnerships. Complementing a 17-year career with four U.S. federal agencies, Ward has delivered project management programs to clients around the world.A noted author and speaker, Ward has served on the adjunct faculties of The George Washington University and The American University, presenting courses in remote sensing, cartography, computer systems management, and information systems. He has authored numerous articles and publications, including the Dictionary of Project Management Terms (3rd ed.); the PMP® Exam Practice Test and Study Guide, PMP® Challenge!, and the PgMP® Exam Practice Test and Study Guide (with Ginger Levin); a set of audio CDs entitled Conversations on Passing the PMP® Exam (with Carl Pritchard); and, ProjectFRAMEWORK, a Project Management Maturity Model (with multiple authors). His articles have appeared in PMNetwork, Chief Learning Officer, and Project Manager Today (U.K.). A popular and dynamic presenter, he speaks frequently on project management and related topics at professional association meetings and conferences around the world. Ward holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from Southern Connecticut State University in geography and an MSTM degree, with distinction, in Computer Systems Management from The American University, where he was inducted into Phi Alpha Alpha, the National Honorary Society for Public Affairs and Administration. He is an alumnus of the General Services Administration’s Trail Boss Program (for major systems acquisitions) and the Federal Executive Institute. Ward is a member of several technical societies, including the American Society of Training and Development, the International Project Management Association, and the Project Management Institute where he is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP - Number 431) and a Program Management Professional (PgMP), one of the first to earn the credential. Contact Information:Leroy's email: [email protected]'s emai: [email protected] (Listen to Ginger's comments on the topic on the podcast!) Both Ginger and Leroy can found on LinkedIn also! Shameless Ad for my book! Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 133! SPaMCAST 135 features an entry in the Metrics Minute. We are covering a Value at Risk. WValue at Risk represents the potential impact of risk on the value of a project or portfolio of projects. Risk is monitored at specific points (a topic of further discussion in the near future) of the project life cycle. Monitoring includes an evaluation of the potential cost impact of remediating the risks that have not been fully remediated weighted by the probability of occurrence. Where the cost impact of risk is above program risk tolerance specific remediation plans will be established to reduce the estimated risk impact. The value at risk metric provides the team with a tool for prioritizing risks and risk management activities. 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 136 features my first live interview with Paul Brynes. We discussed the changes in the SCAMPI methodology used to appraise the CMMI. Important stuff if you have anything to do with the CMMI.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 134! SPaMCAST 134 features my interview with Cynthia Kurtz on narratives and stories and how stories can be a VERY powereful tool for gathering requirements and for knowledge management. I am already planning to listen to this one again because of the huge amount of value Cynthia provided! Cynthia Kurtz is an independent researcher, writer and software designer who consults in the field of organizational and community narrative for decision support, conflict resolution and collective sense–making. Her free online book,(http://www.workingwithstories.org) Working with Stories helps people use narrative techniques to benefit their own communities and organizations. She is building open source software called (http://www.rakontu.org) Rakontu to help small groups share and work with stories for collective sense–making, decision support and conflict resolution. Her blog is at (http://www.storycoloredglasses.com) storycoloredglasses.com. Cynthia’s original background is in ethology and evolutionary biology. Cynthia published information about the podcast and added addtional context to the questions I asked at http://www.storycoloredglasses.com/2011/05/podcast-on-stories-in-software.html 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 great unsolicited reviews and the book has been picked up as a text book for university level work. Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! In the SPaMCAST 135 we will dip back into the Metrics Minute with an article on Value At Risk or my essay on the messages we send.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 133! SPaMCAST 133 features an entry in the Metrics Minute. We tackle burn-up charts. The burn-up chart can be thought of as the mirror image of the burn-down chart but is generally extended over multiple sprints to show the strategy being followed as the project builds toward release and product delivery. 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast Email: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 134 features my interview with Cynthia Kurtz on stories and how stories can be a VERY powereful tool for gathering requirements and for knowledge management. I am already planning to listen to this one again because of the huge amount of value Cynthia provided!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 132! SPaMCAST 132 features my interview with Bill Bentley discussing the book he co-authored "Lean Six Sigma Secrets for the CIO". We covered the gamut of process improvement with emphasis on six sigma, lean and the combination of the two techniques. Bill Bentley is the owner and president of www.value-train.com, a training and consulting business. His Atlanta area company was started in 2002 and provides quantitative process improvement training to the public via open enrollment courses, and to corporations via in-house courses. The company also provides consulting services. Primary topics include Six Sigma, Lean and applied quantitative methods. Bill has an MSEE from Rensselaer, substantial further education and training, and has nearly completed his MBA in Finance and Management. Bill is a pro at solving tough real-world business and technical problems, first as a control systems engineer with Procter & Gamble out of school, later in increasingly responsible management roles with P&G, Frito-Lay, Nabisco and Rockwell. His employers have been manufacturers of food, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, electronic instrumentation and software and his corporate assignments included engineering, operations management, sales and business turnarounds. Bill’s executive positions have included Director of Technology of an instrument manufacturing company, General Manager of an engineering company and President and CEO of a software company. Starting from nothing, Bill has built his company into a respectable business with a national reputation with thousand of graduates and hundreds of corporations served. Value-Train is an authorized State training provider in Georgia, Massachusetts and Texas. Bill is a sailor and also enjoys riding the Georgia Mountains on his motorcycle. Contact Information:Email: [email protected]: www.value-train.com 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 133 will dip back into the Metrics Minute with an article on burnup charts. We will be burning up the pobsphere on this one!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 131! SPaMCAST 131 features the second part of my essay "Agile is from Venus, PMOs from Mars". Part One was a controversial, Part Two will not lower the bar. If you are struggling to understand how position a PMOs in your agile organization you need to listen. 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 132 features my interview with Bill Bentley discussing the book he co-authored "Lean Six Sigma Secrets for the CIO". We covered the gamut of process improvement with emphasis on six sigma, lean and the combination of the two techniques.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 130! SPaMCAST 130 features my interview with with John K. Hollmann discussing cost engineering and risk from a cost engineering perspective. If you are involved with risk and cost engineering you will want to bookmark this interview and listen again and again. John has over 30 years of design and cost engineering experience, including all practice areas of cost engineering and project control. John is Owner of Validation Estimating LLC (www.validest.com) which he founded in 2005 to help owner companies improve their Cost Engineering capabilities. Before that, John managed the downstream cost and schedule metrics and research programs of Independent Project Analysis, Inc (a project system benchmarking firm). John is a Fellow of AACE International and recipient of AACE’s highest honor--the Award of Merit. John is currently an AACE Technical Director and is co-chair of a task force to develop a Decision and Risk Management Professional (DRMP) certification program for AACE. In addition to publishing and presenting many papers and articles, John was editor and lead author of AACE International’s technical foundation text titled the Total Cost Management (TCM) Framework; An Integrated Approach to Portfolio, Program and Project Management. He was also a contributing author to the Engineer's Cost Handbook published by Marcel Dekker and AACE’s Skills and Knowledge of Cost Engineering, 5th Edition. Contact Information:Web: www.validest.comEmail: [email protected] 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 131 I will continue "Agile is from Venus and PMOs are from Mars". This essay has sparked a bit of controversy . . . and part two may add to it.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 129! In this week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast I feature my short essay, Checklist for Process Improvement Success. I have also included an essay orginally included in SPaMCAST 8 titled, ‘Involvement: Whose Industry Is It Anyway?'. Short for get involved. We will pick up the conclusion of Agile is from Venus and PMOs from Mars will pick up in SPaMAST 131 Many Software Process and Measurement Cast Listeners have purchased Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chemuturi and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. Thank you! If you are one of those many listeners, please consider posting a review on Amazon or one of the many online book review sites. Reviews help sell books. So if you agreee with Robert C. Anderson, Director, Process Development and Quality Assurance, Computer Aid, Inc that "Mastering Software Project Management is a masterpiece of clarity, organization and depth of practical knowledge" why not let the world know with a review? Finally do want me to sign a bookplate for your copy of the book? Email me and include a picture of you with your copy of the book and I will send you a personalized, signed bookplate! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Check out my blog and show notes for upcoming conferences and webinars! Next!In SPaMCAST 130 I will feature my interview with John Hollman on risk and risk management. This is a critical interview for all project managers.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 128! SPaMCAST 128 features my interview with with Dave Garmus, Janet Russac and Royce Edwards discussing thier book, Certified Function Point Specialist Examination Guide. If you are interested in functional metrics this interview will be right down your alley. This was David Garmus’ fourth book. Two of his previous books were co-authored with his business partner, David Herron, on functional measurement. Mr. Garmus is an acknowledged authority in the sizing, measurement and estimation of software application development and maintenance. As a co-founder of the David Consulting Group, he supports software development organizations in achieving software excellence with a metric-centered approach. Mr. Garmus is a Past President of IFPUG and member of the IFPUG Counting Practices Committee. He has a BS from the University of California at Los Angeles and an MBA from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. He has spoken at numerous conferences and written many articles and books on various measurement related topics. Mr. Garmus is a Certified Function Point Specialist, having fulfilled all IFPUG requirements for this title under all releases of the IFPUG Counting Practices Manual, and a Certified Software Measurement Specialist. Ms. Russac has over 30 years of experience as a programmer, analyst and measurement specialist in software application development and maintenance. In 2008, she formed her own company, Software Measurement Expertise, Inc. (SME). Prior to that, she worked for The David Consulting Group, Software Productivity Research, IBM Global Services and Prudential Insurance as a lead function point analyst, software measurement specialist, estimator and instructor in these areas. She has implemented software development measurement programs and used various software development metrics, including function points, to recommend business decisions and identify best practices and process improvements in client organizations. In addition, Ms. Russac is a published author and presents workshops at companies, professional organizations and conferences, as well as being a featured speaker at conferences.Ms. Russac is on the Board of Directors for the International Function Point Users Group (IFPUG). Royce Edwards is a senior consultant for Software Composition Technologies, where he applies function point analysis and software estimation techniques to resolve business challenges in software development organizations. He is a software management professional with over 25 years of experience in development, reverse engineering, systems administration, architecture, and software analysis. Mr. Edwards brings an accomplished and unique skill set to software measurement and estimation. He has advised a diverse list of clients in the telecommunications, manufacturing, scientific, government, and information technology areas, and he has mastered the adaptation of solutions to meet the needs of varied organizational environments. Mr. Edwards frequently teaches workshops related specifically to Web application measurement. He has presented research papers at conferences and has written articles and white papers for various publications. Mr. Edwards is a Certified Function Point Specialist and a member of the IFPUG Counting Practices Committee. Contact Information:David Garmus: [email protected] Russac: [email protected] Edwards: [email protected] 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 129 I will continue "Agile is from Venus and PMOs are from Mars". This essay has sparked a bit of controversy . . . and part two may add to it.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 127! In this week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast I feature the first part of my essay titled, Agile is from Venus and PMOs from Mars. I also have news from MAIN brought to us by Manfred Bundschuh. The essay begins . . . Over the past few years I have spent time with many organizations that been struggling with the role of PMOs in their organization as they transitioned to agile. There are a couple of important words in the last sentence. The first critical word is struggling, struggling is important because many PMO's have become more administrative and control oriented rather than being coaches and leaders. Agile focuses on self organization rather than control functions. Also I suggest that combining the roles of administration and control with coaching and leading creates conflict because the goals of these roles are different. It gets even more difficult and stressful when project managers and administrators are asked to change roles that they have invested substantial time and effort into developing capabilities. Changing a leopards spots is difficult especially when the organization has developed a taste for the control data created by a PMO. All is not lost however because I have found that a path to support both sets of goals and needs can be found if everyone can be flexible and no one is building empires. The second critical word in the first statement is the term agile itself. It is critical because its meaning has become a bit nebulous; everyone seems to have appended the word agile to a product, process or service. It is as if adding the word agile will magically convert an non-agile idea into something new. Remember that just calling graphite a diamond in the raw won't change pencil lead into something far more alluring. Many Software Process and Measurement Cast Listeners have purchased Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chemuturi and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. Thank you! If you are one of those many listeners, please consider posting a review on Amazon or one of the many online book review sites. Reviews help sell books. So if you agreee with Robert C. Anderson, Director, Process Development and Quality Assurance, Computer Aid, Inc that "Mastering Software Project Management is a masterpiece of clarity, organization and depth of practical knowledge" why not let the world know with a review? Finally do want me to sign a bookplate for your copy of the book? Email me and include a picture of you with your copy of the book and I will send you a personalized, signed bookplate! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Check out my blog and show notes for upcoming conferences and webinars! Next!In SPaMCAST 128 I will feature my interview with Dave Garmus, Janet Russac and Royce Edwards discussing thier book, Certified Function Point Specialist Examination Guide.

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 126 SPaMCAST 126 features my interview with Phillip A. LaPlante discussing his book Requirements Engineering for Software and Systems in specific and requirements in general. A real powerhouse discussion of requirements. Dr. Phil Laplante is Professor of Software Engineering at Penn State. His interests are in software and systems engineering, project management, and software testing and security. Prior to his academic career Dr. Laplante spent several years as a software engineer and project manager working on avionics, computer aided design and software test systems. He has authored or edited 27 books and has published more than 200 scholarly papers. Recently, he was named by the National Council of Engineering Examiners to Chair the committee that will develop the examination, which will be used to license Professional Engineers in the practice of Software Engineering. Laplante received his B.S., M.Eng., and Ph.D. in Systems Planning & Management, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science, respectively, from Stevens Institute of Technology and an MBA from the University of Colorado. He is a Fellow of the IEEE and SPIE and a member of numerous other professional societies, program committees, and boards. He is a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania and a Certified Software Development Professional. Email: [email protected]: http://www.personal.psu.edu/pal11/ Remember: This podcast will post at the beginning of the SEPG NA in Portland, Oregon, March 21-24, 2011 http://www.sei.cmu.edu/sepg/na/2011/index.cfm I will be attending the conference and manning the David Consulting Booth. Look me up! I will be speaking at the QAI Quest 2011 in Boston April 6 - 8 http://www.qaiquest.org/boston/If you are attending and would like to get together just drop me a note, text, tweet or phone call! 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 127 I will begin reading my paper on PMOs in an Agile Organization titled "Agile is from Venus and PMOs are from Mars". I promise . . . unless less another topic demands that I address it!

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 125! I recorded this Cast before the earthquake in Japan but did want to let all of the SPaMCAST friends and all of the people of Japan that my thoughts are with you. In this week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast I feature a short entry I wrote on coaching, a comment on the blog entry on coaching and two calls to action. The paper on Agile is from Venus and PMOs from Mars will begin in SPaMCAST 127. The essay begins . . . Coaching is a core agile technique, however the impact of the differing coaching technique has not been thoroughly understood which has meant that practices were driven based on individual style. That is until now. Why is coaching important? Coaching is important because it can lead it to smoothly functioning organizations; higher productivity and profits. Call to Action One:Last year I interviewed Bertrand Meyer about SEMAT (see SPaMCAST 96 at www.SPAMCAST.libsyn.com). During the interview he indicated that one the reasons he was participating was to find a means to bridge the gap between practitioners and academia. The idea that there was a gap has been weighing on my mind since, to a great or lesser extent. So why do you think there is a gap? Is the gap (if it exists) driven by distrust or is that practitioners do not value input from academics? Your thoughts and ideas will help me frame a future essay. Call to Action Two and Book Plug . . .Many Software Process and Measurement Cast Listeners have purchased Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chemuturi and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. Thank you! If you are one of those many listeners, please consider posting a review on Amazon or one of the many online book review sites. Reviews help sell books. So if you agreee with Robert C. Anderson, Director, Process Development and Quality Assurance, Computer Aid, Inc that "Mastering Software Project Management is a masterpiece of clarity, organization and depth of practical knowledge" why not let the world know with a review? Finally do want me to sign a bookplate for your copy of the book? Email me and include a picture of you with your copy of the book and I will send you a personalized, signed bookplate! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Check out my blog and show notes for upcoming conferences and webinars! Next!In SPaMCAST 126 I will feature my interview with Phillip A. LaPlante on his book Requirements Engineering for Software and Systems. This was a powerhouse interview on requirements; you will not want to miss it.

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 President of Technical Services. His work included responsibility for international consulting programs, technical product design and development, and knowledge management. Mr. Hill has led or contributed to the design and development of project management methodologies currently deployed by organizations around the world. He is the architect of capability and maturity assessments for business and project management. He also has particular expertise in designing and developing practical Project Management Office (PMO) solutions. His recent work includes development of the new matrix-based, ProjectPRISM™ Project Management Methodology, and this has been introduced in his new project management methodology publication. He has refined an approach to “PMO design and implementation” in a workshop based on the content of his first PMO Handbook publication. In recent years, Mr. Hill has chaired two annual and national-scope Project Portfolio Management conferences in the U.S., in 2008 he was an invited keynote speaker and presenter at two professional conferences in Milan, Italy; and in 2009 he was a keynote speaker and presenter at the National PMI Project Management Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and at the Greece PMI Chapter Congress in Athens, Greece. Mr. Hill’s broad competencies are based in an extensive educational background that includes a bachelor degree in Applied Mathematics (NC State University), a master degree in Human Resource Management/Organization Development (Pepperdine University), and completion of the Advanced Management Program for Executives (Duke University, Fuqua School of Business). Mr. Hill also holds a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from The George Washington University, and he is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP®) by the Project Management Institute. Mr. Hill is author of two books: The Complete Project Management Office Handbook, 2nd Edition, Auerbach Publications, 2007 (752pp), and The Complete Project Management Methodology and Toolkit, CRC Press, 2009 (520pp); which includes 96 tools on CD. Email: [email protected]: www.HillConsultingGroup.com Remember: Attending:SEPG NA in Portland, Oregon, March 21-24, 2011 http://www.sei.cmu.edu/sepg/na/2011/index.cfmSpeaker: QAI Quest 2011 in Boston April 6 - 8 http://www.qaiquest.org/boston/ If you are attending and would like to get together just drop me a note, text, tweet or phone call! Shameless Ad for my book! By the way if you liked Gerald's book and I do recommend that you buy it, I also recommend 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." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 125 I will begin reading my paper on PMOs in an Agile Orgnaizaition titled "Agile is from Venus and PMOs are from Mars".

I recently presented at Podcamp Toronto the resentation was titled Podcasting To A Niche Market and subtitled Podcasting to a Technical IT Audience. I have posted the presentation on SlideShare at: http://slidesha.re/eBDzGy Please feel free to comment and suggest ways to improve the presenation (and the Cast itself). Podcast Toronto 2011 was great as was the wonderful City of Toronto. Thanks to the organizing committee and the sponsors which can be found at http://2011.podcamptoronto.com/sponsors/ Finally attend a local Podcamp if you have one or start one if you don't! If you are close enough I will be happy to present!

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, 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 managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! PS -- Want me to sign a bookplate for your copy? Email me and include a picture of you with your copy of the book and I will send you a personalized, signed bookplate! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Check out my blog and show notes for upcoming conferences and webinars! Next!In SPaMCAST 124 my interview with Gerald Hill will run. Gerald and project management are words that go together. We talk about project management and his book The Complete Project Management Methodology and Toolkit.

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 leadership roles during his ten years in Technology Audit and Operational Risk Management. These roles focused on identifying and managing technology related risks throughout the Bank’s vast infrastructure. Ted integrated Six Sigma methodologies into his technology risk management work, earning DFSS Green and Black Belt Certifications. His Green Belt work led to a United States Patent for which he was recognized with the 2007 Best of Six Sigma Award. Prior to joining Bank of America, Ted was a product specialist at Microsoft providing guidance and support on database technologies where he became a Microsoft Certified Professional and a Certified Scrum Master. Ted is currently the president of Acrowire! Work Website: www.acrowire.comTed's Blog: http://blog.acrowire.com/tdEmail: [email protected]: http://twitter.com/tedtheo 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 is on the bookshelves! According to Firas Al-Sheikh of Amman,Jordan, "This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process,neither for you or your team." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 123 will talk about burn down charts (and maybe burn up charts) which will be part of the Metrics Minute.

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 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 managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! PS -- Want me to sign a bookplate for your copy? Email me and include a picture of you with your copy of the book and I will send you a personalized, signed bookplate! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Check out my blog and show notes for upcoming conferences and webinars! Next!The Metrics Minute entry on burn down charts will appear in SPaMCAST 123. The SPaMCAST 122 will feature my interview with Ted Theodoropoulos. Ted and I discussed technical debt. Ted has some great ideas on expanding the defintion of technical debt and why taking a broad view matters . . . alot.

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 technical lead of IBM’s Function Point Centre of Competence, which is the successor to Allan Albrecht’s IBM Research team which developed the Function Point software sizing technique. His role in Steria requires him to ensure productivity measurements are performed correctly, in particular Function Point counts to minimise contract penalties. Also he advises executives responsible for delivery on methods to manage the productivity performance against other targets including off shoring and contribute to bids. His role in IBM involved business operations measurement coordination, quality assurance reviews, estimating support to bids, and Software Engineering Institute Capability Maturity Model Integrated (SEI CMMI) appraisals as well as occasional function point analysis to keep in contact with the real world of project delivery. Since 2004, he has regularly presented at technical conferences in the UK and USA and been invited to speak again as a result of the feedback. In 2006 & 2010 he presented the Ian Drummond Memorial lecture at the United Kingdom Software Metrics Association annual conference. Work Website: http://bit.ly/g7KkMdIFPUG Counting Practice Committe Web Page: http://bit.ly/gKn6DnLinked In: http://linkd.in/gINRRrEmail: [email protected] 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 is on the bookshelves! According to Firas Al-Sheikh of Amman,Jordan, "This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process,neither for you or your team." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 121 will talk about burn down charts (and maybe burn up charts) which will be part of the Metrics Minute.

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 Chemuturi 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 managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! PS -- Want me to sign a bookplate for your copy? Email me and include a picture of you with your copy of the book and I will send you a personalized, signed bookplate! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Check out my blog and show notes for upcoming conferences and webinars! Next!SPaMCAST 120 will feature my interview with Peter Thomas. I picked his brains on his presentation on mature measurement programs!

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 : www.otobosgroup.comTwitter: www.twitter.com/pm4girls 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 is on the bookshelves! According to Firas Al-Sheikh of Amman,Jordan, "This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process ,neither for you or your team." Have you bought your copy? Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 119 will feature an installment of the metrics minute on velocity, news from associations and MAYBE or maybe not a guest essay!

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 this issue pop up four years later. 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, 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 managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! PS -- Want me to sign a bookplate for your copy? Email me and include a picture of you with your copy of the book and I will send you a personalized, signed bookplate! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Check out my blog and show notes for upcoming conferences and webinars! Next!SPaMCAST 118 will feature an 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. Another eye opening interview!

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 this podcast, is packed with tips and advice to help technical professionals develop career-enhancing presentation skills. As a former IT professional who was once terrified of public speaking, she wrote this book to help others excel at presenting with confidence. In addition to speaking, Naomi loves to write. Her books, Managing Expectations and Communication Gaps and How to Close Them, provide proven strategies and techniques for carrying out projects,implementing change, delivering service, and strengthening teamwork. Her other books and ebooks include Changing How You Manage and Communicate Change How to Survive, Excel and Advance as an Introvert How to Establish Service Level Agreements Naomi’s newsletter, Perceptions & Realities, offers serious advice in a lively, chuckle-generating manner. She has published several hundred articles in print publications and on numerous websites. She also blogs and tweets. Prior to forming her training and consulting business, she earned degrees in psychology and gained extensive experience in technical, customer support, and management positions. Contact [email protected] Website: http://www.nkarten.com Newsletter: http://www.nkarten.com/newslet.html Blog: http://bit.ly/F0Dug Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/NaomiKarten This is Naomi's second visit to the Software Process and Measurement Cast. Naomi was last featured on SPaMCAST 88 when she talked about her book Changing How You Manage and Communicate Change. Check it out! 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 managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement Cast: Email: [email protected] Voicemail: +1-206-888-6111 Website: www.spamcast.net Twitter: www.twitter.com/tcagley Facebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next! SPaMCAST 117 will feature another metrics minute segment, association news (maybe) and a review of Naomi's book.

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 of the four scenarios this essay tackles, knowledge might help immunize you from the mistakes of others. 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 managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Check out my blog and show notes for upcoming conferences and webinars! Next!SPaMCAST 116 will feature an interview with Naomi Karten. Naomi returns to discuss her new book, Presentation Skills for Technical Professionals, Achieving Excellence. What could be a better start to 2011 than Naomi's great wisdom and wonderful style. I am always amazed by what I learn when we talk.

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: [email protected]: http://www.itdirections.com/index.htmlPhone: 952-445-4112 The audio for this interview is not perfect I have done a substantial amount of processing to make it the best if can be. The content in the interview is superlative, hang with it and I think you will walk away from this interview with more than you could have negotiated for! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 115 Will kickoff 2011. We will start with a discussion of the moral hazarda that methodologies and process improvement can foster in some environments.

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: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 114 will feature my interview with Barbara Zimmerman. We discussed contracts, negotiation and why doing your homework is important. If you have deal with vendors or sell services this is a must Software Process and Measurement Cast.

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, high-growth markets. Dr. Gat currently splits his time between consulting and writing. He focuses on technical debt, large-scale implementations of lean software methods and agile business service management (“devops”). His recent e-book, The Concise Executive Guide to Agile, explains how the three can be tied together to form an effective software governance framework. Dr. Gat holds a PhD in computer science and an MBA. In addition to publishing with Cutter and the IEEE, he posts frequently at The Agile Executive and tweets as agile_exec. Emial: [email protected] Executive: http://theagileexecutive.comCutter Consortium: http://www.cutter.com/index.html Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 113 inlcude an entry from the Metrics Minute on the concept of assignment scope (some think of this as maintenance productivty . . . not quite). I will also have some confernece news.

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: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 112 will feature my interview on technical debt with Isreal Gat. Technical debt is a metaphor for poor development practices. Isreal and I discussed how to measure technical debt and what happens when it gets out of control.

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 CustomerCentrix LLC in 1997, the parent company of LoadStorm.com, and is actively growing new products and services. He is the current Chair of Summit County Young Life, current Chairman of the Board for Dillon Community Church, a charter member of the Colorado Business Association Council, former Chairman of the Colorado Internet Keiretsu, and former leader in the Colorado Software Internet Association. Ready to loadtest your mind? It is time for the interview. Website: http://loadstorm.com/Email: [email protected] Vote for the cast on Reddit at http://bit.ly/enkoqV #testing Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail: [email protected]: +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook: http://bit.ly/16fBWV Next!SPaMCAST 111 we will complete my essay on the seven deadly sin of measurment programs. We seal the deal with the sin of greed. I will also have some confernece news.