Quite a while ago I changed my approach slightly to facilitating a team’s daily stand-up meeting. Instead of going through the items on the board from left to right, I … Continue reading “Almost done” doesn’t count
“Timeboxes are great – now let’s think about features”
I was once speaking to a programme manager about a time he had just arrived at a company. The leadership team needed to start a big project which had only … Continue reading “Timeboxes are great – now let’s think about features”
Two rules for productive conversations
I was speaking to an eBay seller the other week, and she told me a story. She had sold an item in an auction, and before sending it off the … Continue reading Two rules for productive conversations
How do we make technology strategy relevant?
I was asked the other day about creating a technology strategy, and how to ensure it’s something that the rest of the organisation cares about. By default, the non-technologists in … Continue reading How do we make technology strategy relevant?
Process can be liberating
Process is often thought of being a necessary evil—HR needs us to do it like this, the PMO insists we report progress in that template, and so on. It’s often … Continue reading Process can be liberating
We don’t always want to hire stars
A long time ago I wrote about the recruiting jigsaw puzzle—that is, the need to hire people who fit in with others in the team. We want people’s skills and … Continue reading We don’t always want to hire stars
Thinking beyond our jobs
One trait I admire and respect in people is thinking and acting beyond their job. Everyone has to demonstrate they can basically do their job—that’s a foundation before they can … Continue reading Thinking beyond our jobs
Agile delivery is financially responsible
I was thinking recently about how agile delivery makes different demands on our budget spend compared to a more traditional delivery model. “Agile” means different things to different people, so … Continue reading Agile delivery is financially responsible
Lasting change needs personal motivation
A few weeks ago I wrote about the cost of change in an organisation, and said that “it’s important to win support for the change with those that matter”. And … Continue reading Lasting change needs personal motivation
There’s no “best” way to present information
Thinking about other people’s point of view is an incredibly useful skill. User research takes this a bit further, because it requires (shock!) actually speaking to other people. But even … Continue reading There’s no “best” way to present information
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