Author name: Johanna

I help you identify and solve the problems that prevent you from releasing systems, hiring the right people, deciding which project to work on next. I take a pragmatic approach: what will work best for you, now? Some people call me a focuser. Some call me an accelerator. When I work with people, first we define our goal together. Typically, it's to get a better product out the door faster. I work with my clients to help managers figure out how to do the managing better, and how the technical contributors can contribute better, not to create a by-the-book system. I work with you, your staff, and your current product development practices. Together, we learn what works well for you and what doesn't. I believe in changing only what needs to be changed at the current time, to maximize your success. We work together to develop a blueprint for the future, and to build in capacity to recognize and implement change.

MPD, Stickyminds columns

How Do We Compare Posted

I have a new column up on Stickyminds, called How Do We Compare? Years ago, people used to ask me about the ratio of developers to testers. Now they ask me about how agile they are. That’s almost always a sign they aren’t agile enough for what they need. I hope you read and comment.

hiring strategy, HTP

Being the Best Example of Personality Diversity

I gave a talk at the Philly Emerging Technologies for the Enterprise earlier this week about managing the project portfolio. I was talking about people who start thinking at the 50,000 foot level (like me) and people who start thinking at the blades of grass level. We both move up and down, it’s just where

newsletter

Agile Programs: Possible or a Pipe Dream?

Rothman Consulting Group, Inc. Vol 8, #2: Agile Programs: Possible or a Pipe Dream? April 25, 2011 In This Issue: Agile Programs: Possible or a Pipe Dream?   AYE Early Bird Discount, April 30, 2011 New to the Pragmatic Manager? Agile Programs: Possible or a Pipe Dream? Yes, agile programs are possible. If fact, some

management, MPD

Management Myths, Not Just For Women Only

I read Putting Women First, and thought I would relate an anecdote from earlier in my career. I had just discovered, as in that morning, that I was pregnant. I hadn’t been feeling well, and was wondering why I was nauseous all the time. And where the heck was my period? I got an early

hiring strategy, HTP

When You Can’t Find Candidates

Last weekend, at GLSEC, there was a panel. At the panel, some managers bemoaned the fact they couldn’t find qualified candidates around a specific  technology. They happened to be talking about SharePoint this weekend. That was this weekend. Another year, another location, it would have been a different technology. The problem is if you can’t

hiring strategy, HTP, job analysis

Fantastic Stories of Overqualified Employees

I’ve had a heavy speaking calendar this month. I knew I’d be home, so I accepted a number of local and close domestic speaking engagements. I’ve been surprised by some fantastic stories of managers and employees. First, there’s the well-meaning manager who wants a current tester to be “motivated” to do manual testing. “How do

agile, MPD

"Agile-the-Word" has Crossed the Chasm

When I lead public workshops, I ask people what their experience with with agile is. In the past, if I asked people if they were experienced with agile, their answers were reliable. Now, not so much. People think if they can spell agile, they are agile. If they sometimes use timeboxes, they are agile. If

agile, MPD

Columns for Your Reading Pleasure

I’ve been writing through my travels. Today, Stickyminds published Not Ready for Agile? Start Your Journey with Release Trains. In February, Gantthead.com published Timebox or Kanban: A False Dichotomy. I would have let you know, but I was traveling and was unaware they published it! I write the columns ahead of time and don’t know

Scroll to Top