Playing Billiards On A Boat, Essays and Conversations with Jon M Quigley, SPaMCAST 856

Playing Billiards On A Boat, Essays and Conversations with Jon M Quigley, SPaMCAST 856

Author: Thomas M. Cagley Jr March 24, 2025 Duration: 36:37
Consider sailing on a lake. It is a great day, there is only a slight rolling swell to contend with. Because you are so relaxed, you slip below and start a game of billiards with your mate. Its not too hard to time the rocking, but nothing is perfect. Then, out of nowhere, a thunderstorm. Who knows where the cue ball will land? How different is this example to any organizational transformation (or project or program) you have been involved in? The SPaMCAST 856 features an essay on delivery in an unstable environment and why it is like playing billiards on a boat. The outcome is unpredictable. We also have a visit from Jon M Quigley! Mr Quigley brings his Alpha and Omega of Product Development column to the cast. In this installment, we talk about configuration management. Mastering Work Intake sponsors SPaMCAST! From ad-hoc to optimized! Dive deep into work intake with this insightful book. Learn the "Gold Standard" and practical deviations, plus how to use flow metrics effectively. Understand the human element and align with Agile principles for better delivery. Perfect for executives, managers, and coaches. Links to buy a copy… JRoss Publishing: https://bit.ly/474ul6G Amazon: https://amzn.to/4236013 Interested in continuing the conversation on work intake with peers in a safe space? Join the Mastering Work Intake Community on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14483957/ Re-read Saturday News In our re-read of Development as Freedom this week, we tackled Chapter 8, Women's Agency and Social Change. Paraphrasing Wikipedia (to make it a bit less technical), the definition of agency is a person's ability to initiate and control their actions and the feeling they have of being in charge of their own actions. The concept of agency is important in all human endeavors, not just economic and social development. Previous installments of Development as Freedom by Amartya Sen: Week 1: Context and Logistics Week 2: Introduction and Preface Week 3: The Perspective of Freedom Week 4: The Ends and the Means of Development Week 5: Freedom and the Foundations of Justice Week 6: Poverty as Capability Deprivation Week 7: Markets, State, and Social Opportunity Week 8: The Importance of Democracy Week 9: Social Choice and Individual Behavior Week 10: Famines and Other Crises Week 11: Women's Agency and Social Change Next SPaMCAST The SPaMCAST 857 will feature our interview with Andy Hilliard, CEO of Accelerance and author of the book Synergea. We talk about the future of software development and how global teams fit into the current geopolitical perspective. Nothing light and frothy in this week's discussion!

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…