Updated Blog Look
I have updated this blog to a more contemporary look and feel. Please comment if you read it as a web page instead of an RSS feed.
HTP
MPD
Learning Through Simulation
In June, I taught PSL with Esther and Jerry. We had a blast. So did the participants. Part of why PSL is so much fun is that we use simulations. With a simulation, you create a safe environment in which people can experiment with learning a new skill or seeing how they operate. There are
hiring strategy, HTP
“Raise the Bar” or “Increase Team Capability”?
I recently had a conversation with a gentleman at a conference, where he said they hired “to raise the bar”. I asked him what he meant by that. He started discussing the mean of the capability in the team. Well, if you’ve hired for zero diversity, you might be able to discuss the team’s mean.
MPD
Gantthead Column About Agile Project Management Posted
My column at Gantthead, The Agile Project Manager: To Facilitate, Serve and Protect is posted. Enjoy!
hiring strategy, HTP
Hiring for Diversity, pt3: New College Grads
It’s tempting to look for candidates with lots of experience for your open positions. But at this time of year, and through the fall, consider looking for new college grads. Not just because I have a daughter who just graduated, but because new grads offer you an opportunity to steer people without a lot of
management, MPD
Strategic vs. Tactical Management Work
A twitter follower asked if I could provide a link to a “discussion of tactical vs strategic planning/projects?” Here you go: Strategic work is a management role. It involves setting the direction for the organization (or group), deciding what to do and what not to do, who to hire and when. If it involves committing
agile, MPD
Functional Managers Acting as Scrum Masters: Not a Good Idea
I often meet people who are transitioning to agile, and they decided to pick Scrum, because it’s a helpful project management framework. Ok, that makes sense. But then they decide that they no longer need project managers, and that the development manager can act as the Scrum Master. The Scrum Master is not a management
hiring strategy, HTP
Hiring for Diversity, #2: Personality and Experience Diversity
I recently led a workshop on Hiring for an Agile Team. We discussed diversity and I explained my position: the more complex the problem, the more personality and experience diversity you want on your team. That’s because different approaches to solving problems and backgrounds help the team see what their options are. I once worked
hiring strategy, HTP
Hiring for Diversity, #1: Women and Other Traditional Diversity issues
There’s a push in the agile community to recognize women and see if we can’t get more women on agile teams. Whatever you think about the program, the goal is a laudable one. Hiring women creates a diversity that is difficult to match with an all-male team. Women tend to bring more collaborative skills and
agile, MPD
It's Not Women We Need; It's a Variety of People
The people who are organizing Your Team Needs Women have a good idea–diversity in teams. I have a problem with how they are doing it. I have tried to contribute to the agile community, chairing the Agile 2009 conference, speaking at user groups, writing for a number of outlets, working with my clients. I do