Johanna Rothman, Management Consultant
Expert in Managing Product Development
Do you listen to Tom Cagley’s SPaMCAST? (Software Process and Measurement CAST). Tom has interviewed me several times before. This time, in SPaMCAST 635 – Practical Ways to Manage, A Conversation with Johanna Rothman, we discuss the Modern Management Made Easy books. As always, we had a fun, free-ranging conversation. Enjoy!
Jeffrey, Squirrel, and I continued our conversation on the Troubleshooting Agile Podcast, with Part 2. We addressed more of the Modern Management Made Easy principles. Specifically, we discussed the ideas of empathy and value-based integrity. We had a great discussion about several of the principles in the Modern Management Made Easy books: Empathy Value-based integrity …
Continue reading “More Fun on the Troubleshooting Agile Podcast, Part 2”
Several of my clients have intertwined problems. Everyone agrees they want innovation: Which products and services the organization offers. (The project portfolio) What features the product offers, or the problems the product solves. (The product roadmap) In the team, to solve the problems in a way that will attract users/buyers/customers. (The team’s backlog and how …
Continue reading “Multiple Short Feedback Loops Support Innovation”
I’ve worked with several managers and team leaders over the past few weeks as everyone is suddenly remote. Every single person in a leadership position struggles with (agile) team transparency. These leaders think the team members work alone. (I think they’re correct.) The leaders worry that the team won’t finish the team’s work. (Correct again.) …
Do I advocate insubordination? Some of my Modern Management Made Easy technical reviewers wonder. And, when I looked at this definition of insubordination, I had to agree. However, when I read that definition, I don’t see any mutual problem-solving. I also don’t see any mutual purpose or respect. I don’t see how that form of …
Continue reading “Insubordination vs Caring About the System”
At the Influential Agile Leader workshop earlier this year, I led a session about scaling and how you might think about it. I introduced the topic and explained that “scaling” might not be the answer. My experience is that when people use frameworks for larger efforts, they experience these unexpected side effects: The framework actions …
If you wondered why I’ve been so quiet here on the blog, it’s because I’ve been managing my own product development. This announcement is that Esther Derby and I have teamed up to offer online workshops based on Behind Closed Doors: Secrets of Great Management. Go to Your Management Mentors to see our first offering: A …
Continue reading “Announcement: Make the Most of Your One-on-Ones Workshop”
Many of my clients are trying to use short feedback loops in agile approaches. That desire bumps up against their management’s desires for longer commitments. This continuum might help them think through their needs for commitment and innovation. High Need for Product Innovation and Change The more need for product innovation and change, the shorter the feedback loops need …
Is it possible to balance the product innovation and feedback we need, with the commitment our management wants? Maybe. I tried to show my thinking for these questions in this series: When does it make sense to ask for or offer estimation and commitments? When does it make sense to ask for more feedback instead? …
Continue reading “Balance Innovation, Commitment, & Feedback Loops: Summary”
What if you don’t need to experiment to reduce risks? You may have technical risks in terms of getting it “all” done. Especially for a given release date. In that case, you have a low need for product innovation. Your planning feedback loops can be longer. I’ve seen this occur in some of these circumstances: A …
Continue reading “Balance Innovation, Commitment, & Feedback Loops: Part 3: Low Innovation Products”