Conforming to Mediocrity and Core Hours, Essays and Conversations with Susan Parente, SPaMCAST 829

Conforming to Mediocrity and Core Hours, Essays and Conversations with Susan Parente, SPaMCAST 829

Author: Thomas M. Cagley Jr September 16, 2024 Duration: 35:06
In SPaMCAST 829 we will continue to expose the sometimes insidious impact of groupthink. Groupthink can lead a team to accept less challenging work, be misaligned with priorities, and poorly assess urgency and importance. The pressure to conform and maintain agreement can result in suboptimal decision-making, hampering effectiveness. We will also have a visit from Susan Parente who will bring her Not A Scrumdmentalist column to the podcast. In this installment, Susan tackles the need for core hours for teams of all types. Master Work Intake! This episode is brought to you by Mastering Work Intake by Jeremy Willets and myself. Buy a copy and begin to control the flow of work for your team and organization. Simply put if you don't control work intake IT CONTROLS YOU! Order a copy of the book from the publisher - https://bit.ly/474ul6G or Amazon - https://bit.ly/474ul6G Re-read Saturday News Chapter 4 of How To Be A Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci (buy a copy and read along) is titled "Living According To Nature." Nature is defined as the community and world. In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius states, "Even chance is not divorced from nature." The laws of nature and physics define what is possible and we live within those possibilities/boundaries. There are several ideas within this chapter, I want to highlight two beginning with the relationship between nature and community. Week 1: Logistics and Opening Thoughts Week 2: The Unstraightforward Path Week 3: A Roadmap For The Journey Week 4: Some Things Are In Our Power, Others Are Not Week 5: Live According To Nature Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 830 will feature a conversation with Jeremy Berriault. Jeremy has a new book, "Beyond The Framework: Cultivating Agile Growth." The back cover states, "Organizations that fail to embrace agility (small a-agiity) risk fading into obscurity." We will discuss the rationale behind that statement.

Hosted by Thomas M. Cagley Jr., Software Process and Measurement Cast is a thoughtful look at how IT teams actually work and improve. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a grounded conversation on the real-world mechanics of building better software, from the initial code commit to the final deployment. Each episode digs into the practicalities of process improvement and the meaningful use of measurement, tackling the specific hurdles that technology groups face as they scale and adapt. You'll hear discussions that get into the weeds of managing projects, evolving team structures, and implementing changes that stick. The Software Process and Measurement Cast serves as a reliable resource for anyone involved in the lifecycle of software development, from engineers and project managers to leaders steering their organizations through growth. Tune in for a candid exploration of the systems and metrics that shape successful IT outcomes, delivered with a focus on actionable insights rather than fleeting trends. This podcast provides a steady, informed perspective on the ongoing journey of organizational evolution in the tech space.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Software Process and Measurement Cast
Podcast Episodes
☠️Constraints and Friction Are Our Friends, SPaMCAST 876 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:13
The Theory Of Constraints: A Real-World Tool Constraints and friction generate interest in process improvement. Why this matters: The lack of friction leads to overuse which is the tragedy of the commons. Our panel flows…
☠️No Dead Careers Here, SPaMCAST 875 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:05
Impressions are NOT facts - No Matter What Your Gut Tells You! Stoic philosophy holds that impressions are not facts and must be tested. Why this matters: It is very easy to jump to conclusions. In some cases, this is ha…
🚣Flow, Flow and More Flow,  A Panel Discussion, SPaMCAST 873 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:15
Dry riverbeds or flash floods - flow matters! Why it matters: Understanding how value is created and moves through an organization is critical. The problem is that the concept is complicated. Freddie Clark stated, "measu…
Nerd Joy,  A Panel Discussion, SPaMCAST 872 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:54
The work has to get done, be miserable, or find JOY in it – it's your choice. Why it matters: It is hard to motivate yourself and your team if you do not find joy in the work you do day in and day out. Our panel finds a…
When Management Won't Buy In,  A Panel Discussion, SPaMCAST 871 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:50
Pushing cooked spaghetti uphill…is exhausting. Why it matters: It is hard to make change happen if leaders provide lip service to the cause. It is impossible if they actively oppose change. So what are you going to do? P…
Habits Stink,  A Panel Discussion, SPaMCAST 870 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:50
Habits, doing work without thinking, are the death of process improvement. Why it matters: When your brain goes on autopilot, it is easy to miss subtle changes and problems in product flow. Is it ever ok to stop thinking…
AI - The Death Of Specialization? A Panel Discussion, SPaMCAST 869 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:02
And we are back! The SPaMCAST 869 features a conversation on whether AI means the death of the specialist. Why it matters: AI tools and agents are becoming a core feature in the workplace of nearly all forward-facing org…
AI - The Death Of Specialization? A Panel Discussion, SPaMCAST 869 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:02
And we are back! The SPaMCAST 869 features a conversation on whether AI means the death of the specialist. Why it matters: AI tools and agents are becoming a core feature in the workplace of nearly all forward-facing org…