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, project management

Gantt Charts and Agile

  I don’t have much use for Gantt charts; if you’ve determined the tasks in enough detail and far enough out to really see the critical path, you’ll be wrong in 24-48 hours. If you don’t put in that much detail, it’s a pretty picture, but not enough information to manage the project. (Of course,

HTP, job offer

Negotiating for Salary

Diane Danielson in Ask and ye shall receive … a bad review points us to this post, Salary, Gender and the Social Cost of Haggling.Well, if that isn’t a slap in the face, I don’t know what is. If you negotiate for a salary that fits for you, you’re “not nice.” If you don’t negotiate,

HTP, job analysis

Audition Type #3: Behavioral Auditions

A behavioral audition is one where you want to see some specific candidate behaviors. Management auditions typically fall into this category. But especially if you’re hiring for an agile team, you might want to see how a candidate exhibits behaviors, such as coaching, feedback, how the person participates in a standup meeting or in a

Books, MPD

Nice Review of Manage It!

I’m pleased that here are several nice reviews of Manage It! Your Guide to Modern, Pragmatic Project Management. See the most recent: The Library’s post. Labels: Manage It, project

HTP, interview

Audition Type #2: Management Audition

A management audition is similar to a technical audition, but because the functional skills are so different, and because senior technical people may also require some management capability, I see these as two different kinds of auditions. As usual, your mileage may vary. Here are some possible management auditions: Facilitate a meeting Give a presentation

MPD

Product Development Survey

  Every two years, my good friend and colleague, Brad Goldense, gathers research about the state of product development metrics. It’s that time again. Here’s the information: GGI

HTP, interview

Technical Audition for a Business Analyst

In his comment, John asked about auditions for a business analyst. The audition will vary, depending on the kind of projects you do. Here are some possibilities: For a more serial lifecycle, you could ask a BA to help elicit requirements. You’d listen to the way the candidate interviewed, if the candidate interrupted the speaker,

Articles

Recruiting Managers: A Tricky Proposition

I was recently talking with an executive recruiter. “I’ve been recruiting managers for years, but in the last couple of years, it seems more tricky. My clients don’t exactly know what they want, and it seems as if everyone’s had an ‘untraditional’ career path. What’s going on?” Managers are people too—so why is recruiting managers

HTP, interview

Audition Type #1: Technical Audition

If you’re thinking about auditions, consider a “technical” audition for any of your open positions. A technical audition provides you a little insight into a candidate’s functional skills. If you’re hiring a developer, ask the candidate to extend a design, or find a problem and design a solution. You could ask a tester to test

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