BOSS logic

Rational Scrum

Recently I tried out a variant on methodology that I’ll dub Rational Scrum. I’ve been trying to put together a few thoughts about the overall process for months, and finally found some time for it.
Just as people have specializations, so do processes. Applying one process to all situations is just as wrong as calling your [...]

Whole teams

Creating a cohesive whole team means building a project team with representation from all stakeholders in the project. Doing so requires both defining the team and creating involvement. It also means creating a structure for involvement that does not slow the project down. Creating this environment of constant, informed involvement does not mean throwing everyone into long (and ultimately unproductive) meetings every day.

The case for certification

I had to read the Agile Alliance’s position on certification a few times before I could decide whether I liked their position or not. Part of this is that the opinion is not that well written. Getting past that, I came away with these core statements:

Employers should not require certification.
Non-skill-based certification testing procedures have little [...]

Formal inspection: an introduction

Formal inspection is a defect detection, removal and correction verification process carried out by a small group during the pre-test phases of the development life cycle. The primary objective of formal inspections is to remove defects as early as possible in the development process. This is a brief introduction into formal inspections and the background behind them.

Don’t ship broken software

There are two kinds of organizations: Those that ship faulty software, and those that don’t. Unfortunately, trying to change from one that does ship faulty software to one that does not is nearly impossible. Why is it that changing into a “defect free” organization so difficult?

Navigating the methodology maze

Project managers and team leaders have an extensive array of development methodologies at their disposal. Over the past 20 years methodologies to fill every conceivable development need have evolved. Rapid development techniques, long-range waterfall or spiral management models, “extreme” programming and iterative methodologies only name a few. Each one targets a different perceived project need, [...]

Mission impossible — the art of choosing the right project

Entrepreneurs, particularly those with a strong vested interest and long history with a product, can be terribly persuasive. Years of tuning the message and creating an infectiously exciting atmosphere makes them skilled at converting skeptics. Becoming excited about a product is wonderful, but don’t let the euphoria of the moment overshadow the concrete facts.