Decisions, bloody decisions
A topic that has been fascinating me for a long time is how people take decisions? I have seen many problems with decisions, but there are ways to improve decisions.
Getting to the Root Causes of Problems
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) has been used by many to determine a fault’s first or “root” causes to improve processes. Given the current economic climate, the business case for RCA has become more more explicit then ever!
We are all customers
The customer is considered more and important for software development. Software teams have to delivers products and services that solve the needs of their customers. But understanding what a customer wants isn’t always that easy.
Developing your workforce: What’s the benefit?
Looking at business results, how important do you consider your workforce? The knowledge and skills of your professionals, and their motivation and drive? My opinion is that it is of huge importance when you want to reach your business goals.
The Gift of Time
Last month I was reading the book The Gift of Time, a collection of stories from people who have used the work of Gerald “Jerry” M. Weinberg. It gives an impression how his ideas helped them, and how it enabled them to support people, and make a difference.
Learn from the Guilds
There is an interesting question posted on the P-CMM blogspot, whether the principles used by the guilds to learn new skills would still work in today's society? Yes they do!
Insanity
Sometimes you hear a quote that really get’s to you. One that hit me, and that I use a lot is the definition of insanity: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”.
Midsummernight Method Madness
Earlier I’ve shared my definition of a proces. Methods (like Scrum, Prince2, XP, etc) help professionals to discuss the way to do things, to become more effective.
Communication * Behavior = Commitment
Last week we had Willem Scheepers as guest speaker at the SPIder P-CMM workgroup, who told us about the what, how and why of Investors in People (IiP). He got my attention by mentioning commitment and communication, two important aspects of the IiP.
Real QA Manifesto
Many people think Quality Assurance (QA) is only testing. This surprises me, after working many years as Quality Manager to prevent defects and improve products.
What is a “process”?
In my work as a consultant, I often deal with “processes”. The people I talk with use different definitions of what a process is. That often hampers discussions about processes, and makes it very tedious to come to agreements about how improve processes.
SPIder P-CMM workgroup on Career Development
On august 23 the members of the SPIder P-CMM workgroup have their regular meeting. Topic of this meeting is “Career Development”.