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.

Articles

What’s Your Project Vision?

If you’ve ever planned a project, you know how hard the initial planning can be. There’s a reason we call the start of the project the “fuzzy front end.” Some project managers give up on the planning altogether and dive into details hoping that a plan will evolve. Looking Ahead It’s possible to generate a

MPD, personal

Greetings from New Zealand

After the US-based Software Development conference last week, I flew to Wellington, NZ. I’m speaking at the Wellington/Auckland/Sydney Softed conferences this week. I have slept almost enough, so if you’re in any of these places and you would like to get together for dinner, let me know. (The last time I was here, I did

Articles

Take a Stand—Yes or No, Not Maybe

Edna sprinted down the hall to her next meeting. “Edna, wait up,” her boss yelled. “What do you want, Wayne. I’m in a rush to get to this meeting,” she said. “I want you to run another project for me. It’s about …” Edna interrupted, “Wayne. Stop right there. We had this discussion last month

MPD, requirements

Beyond Bold

  I’m an assertive, bold, blunt, and direct person. I try to live within the bureaucracies I encounter, but I don’t always succeed. I’m at SD West this week, where I did a half-day tutorial Monday and am presenting two classes (really talks) today. Before I speak/teach/consult, I like to eat a real breakfast, so

MPD

Multitasking is Conflict Avoidance

  There’s a great quote over at The pernicious thinking behind multi-tasking. Note the admission that required multi-tasking is an implicit means to avoid conflicts around setting priorities. I’ve been doing a bunch of multitasking talks this year (and suggesting ways for people to say no), and have written about it in Successful Project Management.

MPD, writing

Writing Status Report

I’m in what I hope is final editing for Successful Project Management. (I”m still doing gross editing, final copyediting is one more stage. But I’m not supposed to change ideas in that stage 🙂 If you want to know how to write a book, read PragDave’s series of So You Want to Write a Book.

HTP, job analysis

Curiousity is a Necessary Quality

Last week, I was in Eindhoven, in the Netherlands. I arrived Sunday afternoon, and my host took me to the Van Abbemuseum, a museum of contemporary art. It was great.I geeked out in the elevator, however. We started at the top floor and went down to the bottom. The elevator had musical accompaniment. A high-pitched

hiring strategy, HTP

Age and Agile Are Orthogonal

Last week, I was working with a client in the Netherlands, talking about how to hire for an agile team. We started discussing how the management team reviews resumes. One of the managers said he looked for people under 40, because otherwise the candidate was “too old.” Well, I passed 40 a long time ago,

Scroll to Top