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.

management, MPD

CEO Success

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  The two articles I found most telling about Carly Fiorina’s departure from HP are Worst. CEO. Ever. and Carly Fiorina and management. High tech organizations require a vision (from the CEO), a budget, and room for innovation. Maybe I missed it, but Fiorina didn’t provide any vision, except for cost-cutting. When will senior managers

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HTP, job analysis

Example of an Ad that Screens Out

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Eric Sink’s ad for a software developer is a terrific example of an ad that screens out people who aren’t suitable for the position. Note the description of deep expertise in that SQL stuff, and the emphasis on knowing how to read code, not just write code. Sure Eric may receive a bunch of unsuitable

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MPD

Functional Managers, Project Managers, Matrix Managers

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In the Hiring Geeks That Fit book, I wrote this (p. 261): Functional managers organize the work of similar people (people performing a given function). They hand off their deliverables to another group. Project managers coordinate the work of numerous people to deliver a product to the organization. Matrix managers manage people of a similar

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implement by feature, MPD

Organizing for "Efficiency"

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  I gave a talk at the local PDMA group called “Setting Expectations Between Engineering and the Three PMs”, attempting to clarify how the roles of product management, program management, and project management are sometimes confused, and to suggest practices that help people unconfuse them. I set up teams of people to create a little

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MPD, podcast

Podcast Available at Vision Thing

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  Last week, Effern of The Vision Thing interviewed Hal Macomber, Clarke Ching, and me about project management. He made a podcast at The Sound of Vision: 02/04/2005. I was pleasantly surprised at how well Hal’s, Clarke’s, and my conversations meshed. We didn’t rehearse our answers. Effern, I appreciate you for the time you took

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defect, MPD

Managing Defects by Severity and Frequency

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  I’m familiar with managing defects by severity (how bad the problem is for the user if the user encounters the problem), and by priority (what’s the business value of fixing this problem), but I had lunch yesterday with some folks who use frequency of occurrence to also manage defects. They started this because they

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hiring process, HTP

Up for a Jolt Award

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Hiring the Best… is up for a Jolt award (in the general books category). Yes, I’m a Jolt judge. No, I don’t judge—or even see the discussions about—the entire category in which my book is nominated. Yes, I’m excited! And now I get to display the finalist logo.

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Agile Job Search, HTP

Potential Employer Sounds Off

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Mike has a fine (and funny) piece on what to do (and a little about what not to do) as a candidate, Applying for a Java job – HOWTO. His major points: Your cover letter or email should be in readable English Your experience should be relevant Read the bloody job ad (his words, not

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