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.

agile, MPD

Develop by Feature, Develop by Component, or Some Combination?

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I’ve been working with Rebecca Wirfs-Brock on an agile architecture workshop. I’m working with Rebecca because she has such a depth of experience in architecture, as well as design. She’s working with me because of my project and program management experience. We’re pretty psyched. We’re working through the issues of large programs and architecture, and,

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hiring strategy, HTP

Waiting for the “Perfect” Candidate

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I received a call from a recruiter-colleague yesterday, bemoaning a hiring manager who was waiting for the “perfect” candidate. “I’ve sent her 5 great candidates, but none of them are perfect. Doesn’t she have to fill this position?” Well, maybe not right away. And, maybe it’s not just technical skills that make a candidate a

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MPD, program management

Defining Program Management and How Agile Helps

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It’s a good thing I said my post about musings was just that–musings! I didn’t bring all of you along. Sorry about that. Let me be more clear. A program is a collection of projects, where the value is in the overall deliverable. Yes, each project may have a deliverable that’s valuable, but the value

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agile, MPD

Musings About Agile Program Management

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I’ve been working with organizations who want to move their programs to agile. They’ve been successful with small projects. But now, they want to make agile work with large programs, programs that involve hardware or firmware, programs with many pieces of interdependent software features, programs of 50 to 300 (or more!) people. Now, you might

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HTP

Updated Blog Look

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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.

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MPD

Learning Through Simulation

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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

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