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

Update on Agile 2009, August 4, 2009

I haven’t blogged about Agile 2009 in a while because I’ve been busy managing it. In the meantime, you need to know that the absolute last day to get the conference rate for the hotel is Aug 14, 2009. Do not delay. Once the hotel rooms at the conference rate are gone, they are gone. […]

MPD

Book "Tour" for Manage Your Project Portfolio

Manage Your Project Portfolio is at the printer. If the planets align, and the printer doesn’t run out of paper, and if Murphy stays away from this project, the books will start shipping the week of Aug 10. YIPPEEE!!!!! I’m just a little excited, can you tell?? Back in March, when the shipment seemed far

Articles

No: Such a Difficult Word

Pat meets me in the lobby and walks me to the conference room for our 9 a.m. meeting. She yawns several times during our two-minute walk. She yawns a few more times before everyone else arrives. “Late night?” I ask. “They’re all late,” she replies. “I’m way overworked.” When I asked why, she says, “I’m

agile, MPD

Position Statement for Panel on Agile People Issues

I’m a member of a panel Jul 23 for the Boston Agile Bazaar meeting, and am attempting to articulate my two-minute position statement to the question: How would you characterize your approach to handling people problems on agile teams? My problem is that I don’t do anything any differently for agile or non-agile teams. I

agile, MPD

Plunge In or Dip Your Toe? (for Managers)

In the Small Steps and Plunge In posts, I said projects should transition to agile all the way. But does it work the same way for the entire organization? Nope. I recommend a gradual approach to moving to agile. Not all project teams are ready for the self-discipline agile requires. But, even more importantly, too

HTP

Don’t Fight With People Providing Feedback

A few colleagues have had this experience. They get a call about a job. It looks like a great fit. They apply. They go through all the interviewing. It takes forever. And, they don’t get the job. One asked, “Is it ok to ask why?” Sure, it’s ok to ask. Just don’t have a fight

agile, MPD

Small Steps Are Good; Be Careful What You Call Those Steps

I love it when my readers challenge what I’m saying, as in  Plunge In or Dip Your Toe? (for Projects). I do believe in small steps for projects. I’ve long been an advocate of inch-pebbles, of standup meetings, of iterations and incremental development. I love knowing what done means, for the project and for features

agile, MPD

Plunge In or Dip Your Toe? (for Projects)

I’ve been teaching a variety of workshops recently, some of which are Scrum. One of the questions people have is: Can we do this partway? No, not Scrum or any other agile lifecycle. You either do it all or you’re not doing agile. You can work in timeboxed iterations. But if you haven’t gotten to

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