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Category Archives: Agile
iterations ~= methadone
The agile manifesto is the foundation of agile software development. Various branded versions (Scrum, XP) promote “iterations”. Iterations are these methods’ approach to facilitating agile’s value: responding to change over following a plan and by extension to the second agile … Continue reading
Posted in Agile, Kanban, Uncategorized
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The PMI-ACP agile quiz – a critique
I took the Program Management Institute (PMI) Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) survey to assess my knowledge of agile this morning. I was prompted to check into it after having attended a PMI session called: “Why PMI-ACP Certification is Red Hot…and … Continue reading
Posted in Agile, Certification, PMI, Project Management
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PMI-ACP Certification – hot or not?
I attended a PMI session this week called “Why PMI-ACP Certification is Red Hot…and How You Already Qualify to Receive It.” It’s rare that I attend user group meetings in my home town, as I have been traveling for projects … Continue reading
Posted in Agile, Certification, PMI, Project Management
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Hiring an agile coach
A colleague of mine was once asked for help in creating a job description for an agile coach. One of the suggestions was “5 years of agile project management experience”. Though longevity is certainly helpful, it is not sufficient to … Continue reading
Posted in Agile, Coaching, Hiring
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The Joel test is antiquated
I recently stumbled upon references to the Joel test in job postings on the Stack Overflow Careers 2.0 website (careers.stackoverflow.com). Joel Spolsky (one of the founders of Stack Exchange, the company that publishes Stack Overflow and Careers 2.0) published his … Continue reading
Posted in Agile, Hiring
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Stand-up efficiency and effectiveness
I attended a user group meeting last week where a participant asked the question: “How do I keep my stand-ups from going so long?”. He cited greater-than 30-minute time for 10 people. I didn’t get a chance to talk to … Continue reading
Posted in Agile
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Prioritizing vs. Sequencing the Product Backlog
A primary tenet of agile software development is doing the highest business-value work earlier. The idea is that you achieve a minimal marketable feature set as early as possible so that a) you can issue releases earlier and b) if … Continue reading
Posted in Agile, Product Management, Project Management
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Feedback Manifesto
I have come to value Verbal, constructive feedback over written evaluationsMeasuring output over measuring inputFrank feedback from colleagues over speculative management judgmentReal-time, frequent feedback over periodic high-ceremony assessments Though the things on the right are commonplace and often dictated by … Continue reading
Posted in Agile, Feedback, HR
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The case against iteration based re-estimation
Many agile practitioners recommend re-estimating stories at the beginning of each iteration. I disagree with this practice. For one thing, I believe it’s a waste of time. Any value that you might get (which I doubt – see below) from … Continue reading
Posted in Agile, Project Management
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Agile within a non-agile ecosystem
Agile, like Texas Hold ‘Em poker, is pretty simple. The agile manifesto is straightforward. Some agile practices are more difficult than others. Stand-ups are probably the simplest agile technique (though it confounds me how difficult it is sometimes to get … Continue reading
Posted in Agile, Organizational Transformation
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