Time For Agile To Buy Mom or Dad Jeans? A Conversation with Mark Metze, Jeremy WIllets, and Tom Cagley, SPaMCAST 802

Time For Agile To Buy Mom or Dad Jeans? A Conversation with Mark Metze, Jeremy WIllets, and Tom Cagley, SPaMCAST 802

Author: Thomas M. Cagley Jr April 8, 2024 Duration: 43:54
The SPaMCAST 802 features a panel discussion. Mark Metze, Jeremy Willets, and myself. discuss "Is agile still a movement or has it reached middle age?" We weigh the appropriateness of wailing and gnashing of teeth, hand wringing and sullen withdrawal, or pragmatism and philosophy. In the end perhaps the right answer is to buy a pair of mom or dad jeans and accept that all great movements reach middle age at some point. We look forward to your opinions and comments. Panelists Mark Metze: With a career spanning over 30 years in the software industry, Mark has evolved from a seasoned developer, dedicating 19 years to crafting high-quality and maintainable code that directly addressed real-world challenges. Transitioning into a management role, he spent the next 9 years leading development teams, gaining a holistic perspective on the various roles crucial for successful software delivery. Embracing the philosophy of servant leadership, he transitioned once again to the role of a Scrum Master. Over the last 3.5 years, his focus has been on fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and empowering teams to excel in their agile practices. Mark's journey from a hands-on developer to a supportive Scrum Master reflects a deep understanding of the intricacies of software development, coupled with a passion for facilitating teams to achieve their highest potential. Mark also hosts The Agile Within podcast with new episodes debuting each week. It's mission is "Providing agile insights into human values and behaviors through genuine connections". You can listen on your favorite podcast platform or on the web: https://theagilewithin.buzzsprout.com Jeremy Willets is a coach, speaker, and author who has spent the last decade working with people and teams to achieve greatness in the workplace. He started out as a technical writer on a Scrum team and quickly fell in love with Scrum and the Agile Manifesto values and principles. Since then, he's served thriving organizations as a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Senior Agile Coach, Release Train Engineer, people manager, and mentor. Jeremy has spoken at conferences throughout the midwestern United States. He's an avid Substack blogger and music maker. He holds a SAFe® Practice Consultant (SPC) certification. Jeremy can be found at www.jeremywillets.com Learn To Tame Your Work Intake Beast! Jeremy Willets and I have opened a new workshop cohort to help you learn to tame the work intake beast! The workshop will run from 31 May to 28 June in five manageable 90-minute chunks. For more details hop over to our Maven site https://bit.ly/3HEsKK7 for more information, sign up, or join the mailing list! Re-read Saturday News Chapter 3, Deep Work is Meaningful completes Part 1 of Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport. If you are reading this chapter for the first time, my interpretation of the author's intent is not to prove that deep work is meaningful but rather to argue that it is more meaningful than shallow work. On deeper reflection, there are even more cautionary notes for the always "in contact" amongst us. Read the chapter, this week's re-read post, and contemplate! Remember to buy a copy of Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World and read along. Week 1: Logistics and Introduction - https://bit.ly/43fGAMX Week 2: Deep Work Is Valuable - https://bit.ly/3TznAVd Week 3: Deep Work Is Rare - https://bit.ly/4afglsG Week 4: Deep Work Is Meaningful - https://bit.ly/3vRso09 Next SPaMCAST In SPaMCAST 803 we will contemplate the product roles impact on work intake. These roles appear straightforward and at the same time offer many layers and nuances. Regardless of the approach or structure someone is using, making work intake decisions might enhance or trash product decisions. Someone is making those decisions, you need to understand the impact. We will also have a visit from Susan Parente who brings her Not a Scrumdamentalist column to the podcast.

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
SPaMCAST Grand Finale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:31
Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast's final podcast. Today we have a treat, a radio play titled, Navigating the Silos or Playing a Game with House Rules written by David Herron and me. Over the years, Mr…
👫Living With The Manifesto, A Panel Discussion, SPaMCAST 883 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:49
Does the Agile Manifesto still guide us? The Manifesto has been an integral part of our professional lives. Organizations and teams seem to be tired of values and principles. Is the Manifesto still relevant? Our panel to…
2025 Annual Panel, It's Like Dodgeball, SPaMCAST 882 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:02
Another trip around the sun! This year's topics are drawn from a talk by Neil Postman: "All technological change is a trade-off. Technology giveth and technology taketh away." - Do we control the risk? "There is a common…
Advice For You 25-Year-Old Self [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:22
What would you tell your 25-year-old self? It is the time of year for celebration and introspection. Why? If not now, then when? Our panel today features: Daniel Doiron - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldoiron/ Jeremy…
Jetsons and Pinocchio - Work Life Balance, SPaMCAST 877 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:13
Many firms are bringing everyone back to the office and demanding longer hours. They are conflating effort and productivity. Why this matters: Increasing productivity is NECESSARY for profitability and growth. Our panel…
☠️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…