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.

newsletter

Three Tips for Your Geographically Distributed Agile Teams

Rothman Consulting Group, Inc. Vol 8, #3:  Three Tips for Your Geographically Distributed Agile Teams June 9, 2011 In This Issue:Three Tips for Your Geographically Distributed Teams   Interested in a Geographically Distributed Teams Workshop? New to the Pragmatic Manager?   Three Tips for Your Geographically Distributed Team Agile has moved past small co-located teams. As

agile, MPD

Musings about Agile Architecture and Agile Program Management

Bob Payne interviewed me about agile program management last year at the Agile 2010 conference and posted the podcast. We always have a great time talking, and that podcast was no exception. He makes me sound quite coherent! Matt Heusser interviewed me about my new workshop with Rebecca Wirfs-Brock about Agile Architecture. My column on

MPD, program management

Enticing a Program to Move to Agile

There was a question on a LinkedIn group earlier this week about a program with teams with interconnected features and how did you know when a feature was done. After all, a feature wasn’t done until all the teams were done with it. After a few more questions, I realized the teams were architectural teams,

MPD, project management

Plan for Murphy

It seems strange to plan for Murphy’s Law, but if you don’t plan for risks, they will happen and they will turn into disasters. Some risks you can’t plan for, but many risks you can anticipate. I plan for some typical risks: I keep a power cord in my office, in my briefcase, in my

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

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