SPaMCAST 121 - Gates And The Value of IT

Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 121! In this week’s Software Process and Measurement Cast we revist an essay originally broadcast in SPaMCAST 2.  We revisit the essay because I believe the events in TUnisia and Egypt over the past few weeks have driven the point home that  gates can impact the value of IT. The essay begins . . . A few weeks ago (now three years later) I attended a lecture by Jared Diamond.  His lecture was in support of his book. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed (2005).  The ideas in the book concern the anthropology of societies however they are equally relevant to why process improvement programs succeed or fail.  Two of the ideas Dr. Diamond put forth on why societies collapse that are instantly germane to SPI programs were: • Elites isolate themselves, and• An inability to reassess core values Can anyone say gates or silos? Book Plug . . .Mastering Software Project Management: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques co-authored by Murali Chemuturi and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing has hit the bookshelves!  According to Robert C. Anderson, Director, Process Development and Quality Assurance, Computer Aid, Inc, "Mastering Software Project Management is a masterpiece of clarity, organization and depth of practical knowledge." If you a project manager or know project managers buy yourself a copy and a second to lend co-workers!  PS -- Want me to sign a bookplate for your copy?  Email me and include a picture of you with your copy of the book and I will send you a personalized, signed bookplate! Contact information for the Software Process and Measurement CastEmail:  spamcastinfo@gmail.comVoicemail:  +1-206-888-6111Website: www.spamcast.netTwitter: www.twitter.com/tcagleyFacebook:  http://bit.ly/16fBWV Check out my blog and show notes for upcoming conferences and webinars! Next!The Metrics Minute entry on burn down charts will appear in SPaMCAST 123.  The SPaMCAST 122 will feature my interview with Ted Theodoropoulos. Ted and I discussed technical debt.  Ted has some great ideas on expanding the defintion of technical debt and why taking a broad view matters . . . alot.