Dennis Stevens » Observations

How We Earned our Right to Education

Dennis Stevens — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:23:56 +0000

My dad sent me this. He is a 76 year old Korean War era Marine veteran and has spent the last 20+ years fighting prostrate cancer and advocating for prostrate cancer awareness. This year he was awarded a Courage Award from Piedmont Healthcare and the Atlanta Braves “For being a pillar of hope and inspiration in the community and leading the effort to find a cure”. He sends me inspirational and patriotic notes like this once in a while. This isn’t about Lean or Agile or Software Development Project Management, but I wanted to share it with you.

How Students Earn Their Right to Sit in a Desk in the Classroom

Back in September 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School , did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom.

When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.

‘Ms. Cothren, where’re our desks?’

She replied, ‘You can’t have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.’

They thought, ‘Well, maybe it’s our grades.’

‘No,’ she said.

‘Maybe it’s our behavior.’

She told them, ‘No, it’s not even your behavior.’

And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom.

By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms.Cothren’s classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.

The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom, Martha Cothren said, ‘Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.’

At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it.

Twenty-seven (27) War Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned.

Martha said, ‘You didn’t earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it’s up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don’t ever forget it.’

According to Snopes.com, this is a true story.

Don’t forget that many of the freedoms we have in this great country were earned by War Veterans.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-07-11

Dennis Stevens — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0000

@jeffpatton You can find a list of their authors at http://oreil.ly/9UDudf. Maybe someone you know. in reply to jeffpatton #
@jeffpatton Or I can introduce you to JRoss and Addison-Wesley if interested. in reply to jeffpatton #
@jeffpatton Looks like http://bit.ly/c9uTol and http://bit.ly/bifYp2 may live nearby. Hope that helps. in reply to jeffpatton #
@jchyip When lost in the wilderness and the map doesn't match the terrain, in all cases believe the terrain. in reply to jchyip #
I am presenting How to Get Started with #Kanban tomorrow night at Agile Atlanta at http://bit.ly/aHEwel at 6:45 PM. #
Vote for Billy Wagner for the NL All-Star http://bit.ly/9Zif93 #braves #mlb #allstar #
@jurgenappelo Does squarespace.com support a wiki? in reply to jurgenappelo #
@derekhuether That's pretty funny; in reply to derekhuether #
Check out: Organizational Complexity http://bit.ly/9hNrip #pmot #kanban #baot #
Watching World Cup Soccer with @leanopinions (@ Taco Mac) http://4sq.com/6TStWL #
RT @davidjbland #scrum terminology post up on http://bit.ly/btASgT & http://bit.ly/a8Wfot #duck amp;cover – hear hear #
RT @mlevison @donaldegray @mcottmeyer @dennisstevens… quite an esteemed crew at agile Atlanta this evening – it was a great time #
@OlafLewitz We have your Dad in our prayers. in reply to OlafLewitz #
with @mcottmeyer (@ Caribou Coffee w/ @mcottmeyer) http://4sq.com/7EdsKw #
@mlevison Did you get my Evils of Silos game email yesterday. Want to give it a run? in reply to mlevison #
Check out: Okay… Just What are we Transforming? http://bit.ly/cDjdty #pmot #kanban #baot #
@mhsutton Mike, maybe the transparency of Kanban is used to expose dysfunction so it can be acted on at a system level. in reply to mhsutton #
@ThirstyBear Kanban will expose a broken process – highlighting the problems – making it easier to address in the organization. in reply to thirstybear #
@rachelcdavies What part did Kanban play in exposing to the team and management the benefit of focusing on TDD and refactoring? in reply to rachelcdavies #
@rachelcdavies Because TDD and re-factoring are great practices – why were they being done before kanban? in reply to rachelcdavies #
@JoshuaKerievsky Facade and Decorator in reply to JoshuaKerievsky #
@mlevison Moving to Atlanta? in reply to mlevison #
@JoshuaKerievsky Factory, Facade, Decorator, Observer, and Command in reply to JoshuaKerievsky #
Nice: RT @hemppah: s/push/pull/g #kanban #
#kanban #baot Our new paper, "Taming the Agile Enterprise: Value Stream Mapping for Knowledge Work" will be available next week. #
@rachelcdavies Very cool. That is consistent with my experience. Kanban provided insight – triggered right improvement focus. in reply to rachelcdavies #
@ThirstyBear Observable, Data Driven, Defensible – good places to start the conversation – you are right, this still requires leadership. in reply to thirstybear #
With Brian Huelskamp – my brother in law – back from Afghanistan. (@ Tavern at Medlock) http://4sq.com/bXqWr1 #
@Bullet_Boy they still can't beat the Lakers. And I don't like the Lakers. in reply to Bullet_Boy #
@Coty fjjshuennzkz #
@Coty You are awesome. #luckykid in reply to Coty #
@scrumnl Except kanban doesn't have anything to do with a deathmarch – a project that is destined to fail. in reply to scrumnl #
@scrumnl Kanban supports realistic scheduling, flexibility in scope management, and focusing of learning opportunities. in reply to scrumnl #
@scrumnl #kanban #039;s WIP limits also create slack – its just not timeboxed. in reply to scrumnl #
@pascalpinck @mcottmeyer and I apply Argyris' Double Loop Learning in our Cutter paper Rethinking the Agile Enterprise http://bit.ly/JsNLJ in reply to pascalpinck #
@@pascalpinck Here I integrate Argyris model with Senge's (Sytems Thinking from a Structural and Organizational level) http://bit.ly/b5orB0 #
@pascalpinck This is one of the reasons Kanban , A3, and VSM-KM work well. They encourage double-loop learning for the participants. in reply to pascalpinck #
@hroark From your neighbors garden? in reply to hroark #
Check out: PMBOK 5 – Rejected http://bit.ly/bzEMGn #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: New “Agility Now!” Newsletter http://bit.ly/cgTWBy #pmot #kanban #baot #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-07-04

Dennis Stevens — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Cuban food and drinks with my wife. (@ Armando's Caribe) http://4sq.com/bKG4or #
Check out: Follow the Terrain http://bit.ly/d0BPEM #pmot #kanban #baot #
@jurgenappelo Thanks for tweeting my blog. in reply to jurgenappelo #
@jchyip There isn't a difference in talent and aspiration? in reply to jchyip #
Check out: Rethinking testing, it’s as easy as a bee, see? http://bit.ly/9Jgdqb #pmot #kanban #baot #
@LeanKitKanban Does Lean Kit Kanban capture the waiting, blocked, and cost of rework metrics I talk about in http://bit.ly/bW8YLt.? in reply to LeanKitKanban #
RT @KentBeck: RT @cdixon: RT @jstylman: Mariano's cutter http://nyti.ms/awQF7h — superb data viz #
@LeanKitKanban Combined with root cause analysis, this data leads to transformation and improved outcomes, as opposed to local improvements. in reply to LeanKitKanban #
RT @mcottmeyer: Feedburner is dead to me!- subscriber counts are bouncing all over the place. #
@derekhuether at least you aren't finishing your tweets with ; yet in reply to derekhuether #
@DavidJBland Please post it. Language is a big area we need to explore in software development. in reply to davidjbland #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-27

Dennis Stevens — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Check out: Aspects of Kanban in Methods and Tools http://bit.ly/9tjfvo #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: 360 Degrees Dinner http://bit.ly/aWW87O #pmot #kanban #baot #
@sdlc3 This is from your book? in reply to sdlc3 #
@andrediasbr This is from the PMBOK. I coach and use the PMBOK this way – not just theory. in reply to andrediasbr #
From September of last year, http://bit.ly/cV8iC6 Methods, Practices, and Outcomes #kanban still topical. #
#kanban Important Question 1. In what situations does Kanban reduce transaction and coordination costs more than Scrum? #
#kanban Important question 2. In what situation does one method lead to better adoption over another? Why? #
#kanban important question 3. In a specific organization, what approach to empowered teams and building trust is most likely to succeed? #
#kanban Focus on outcomes that result in improvements – find the way that works in your organization to adopt and sustain them. #
@andrediasbr Yep. I see the same thing. We need to change the way PMP's work. in reply to andrediasbr #
@mvizdos This was the source of the questions. http://bit.ly/cV8iC6 . I would love to hear your thoughts. in reply to mvizdos #
@mvizdos Yes. I agree. in reply to mvizdos #
@jchyip A little – but it's a good read. in reply to jchyip #
@jgoodsen The problem with quick and dirty – when quick is done all that's left is dirty. in reply to jgoodsen #
@sceptre1067 I think we continue to have this vs that issues. I think we should be having this and that discussions. in reply to sceptre1067 #
This is excellent: From @asplake Learning Together: Kanban and the Twelve Principles of Agile Software. http://bit.ly/9B4Cew #kanban #pmot #
#kanban vs #scrum discussion at tomorrow #Atlanta #Scrum #Meetup See you there. http://bit.ly/dz9PRp #
Doing Kanban (@ Beam Team) http://4sq.com/99r2wH #
Just finished #scrum vs #kanban fish bowl at #scrumatlanta Lots of interest in kanban among real Scrum practitioners. #
Check out: How to extend your brand 101: The New York Times Store http://bit.ly/9T6g4a #pmot #kanban #baot #
@PapaChrisMatts Please read http://bit.ly/9dUiOx. Understanding, Forming, and Doing. This is the Feeding the Agile Beast flow. #
@PapaChrisMatts The knowledge work conversation flow – Understanding, Forming, and Doing happens at multiple levels. in reply to PapaChrisMatts #
I just unlocked the "Explorer" badge on @foursquare! http://4sq.com/cKAkz9 #
The pitcher from TCU looks EXACTLY like the coach on Friday Night Lights. #CWS #FSU #
@Wiggly It was a lot of fun. That is a valuable discussion – tons to be learned still. in reply to Wiggly #
Settle down #NOLES 6 outs away. #CWS #
@Jah_Bread Atlanta kids can all play. in reply to Jah_Bread #
@Jah_Bread They are off the board before the Hawks pick. in reply to Jah_Bread #
Check out: Agile Isn’t Immune for People Who Don’t Give a Damn http://bit.ly/b8JDX9 #pmot #kanban #baot #
Watching basketball (@ Littlejohn Coliseum) http://4sq.com/d0qm63 #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-20

Dennis Stevens — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:00:00 +0000

@jessefewell where are you? #
I'm at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (20 South 400 West, Salt Lake City). http://4sq.com/cizHPK #
Out for dinner with PMI and some Agile cohorts. (@ Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar) http://4sq.com/cizHPK #
@TotherAlistair At Flemings. #
RT @paul_boos: LOL @dennisstevens I love my country, but most US beer I can easily get sux (all the calories w/half the flava) < Fat Tire #
Heading down to #agileroots #
@thedersen Make the due date time visible with a mark, color of card, or swim lane. in reply to thedersen #
@thedersen Make sure the work will be ready on the date and get it on your calendar at the daily standup in reply to thedersen #
@agilemanager I just posted Classes of Service post http://bit.ly/dhQKGJ in reply to agilemanager #
Stuck in traffic for 30 minutes on way to #agileroots conference #
I have Increase Safety cards at #agileroots #
@littleidea That's how I feel. We were out a little late last night. in reply to littleidea #
Outcome over Output #agileroots @jeffpatton #
#agileroots Balance Discovery and Delivery @jeffpatton #
#agileroots Take ownership of your process – don't let your process own you @jeffpatton #
@agilemanager Next post-improving predictability with Kanban. Then connecting the dota through classes of service. in reply to agilemanager #
I believe Agile is dangerous in the hands of irresponsible leaders. @menloprez #agileroots #
@TCagley maybe the framework isn't the problem. We just get in trouble faster. in reply to TCagley #
RT @markusandrezak @dennisstevens life is dangerous in the hands of irresponsible leaders Waterfall too -I agree. #
#agileroots I want to trade a Get back from Diversions for a Help Someone be Heard. #
@tahari I would love to trade with you at the end of @DianaOfPortland's talk. in reply to tahari #
@DianaOfPortland Evidence Based Management: Disciplined Optimism, Recognize Patterns, reduce disturbance and increase awareness. #
@scrumdonkey Took first offer. I would like to meet anyway. in reply to scrumdonkey #
Focus on flow, value, and people, @DianaOfPortland #agileroots #
Great Deming quote by @DianaOfPortland "management is responsible for the system." Blame -> cya -> waste #
@DianaOfPortland The prime directive by Norman Kerth. People do the best they can given knowledge, skills, etc. #
@tahari thank you so much. I have completed my #agileroots card collection. #agilewoot in reply to tahari #
@saugustine has a great Deming quote. Annual performance ratings are destructive. #
@saugustine knowledge workers must understand what is our business, who is our customer, what do they value? #agileroots #
@sanjivaugustine Align roles with the Passions, Strengths, and Motives of people. #agileroots #
@saugustine No Problem. Great Presentation, Compelling Vision on the Agile Performance Management System. in reply to saugustine #
@lukeholman Reading Marvel comics on the iPad justifies the purchase. #agileroots #
Are you talking with interesting people on a regular basis? @lukeholman #agileroots #
Collaboration is a recursive process where two or more people work together on an intersection of goals. @lukeholman #agileroots #
@desireesy #
@desireesy I would like to read your paper. Enjoying your #agileroots presentation #
@desireesy AgileUX makes the unestimatable estimatable. #agileroots #
Check out: Fundamental Attribution Error http://bit.ly/bIcF6Z #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: T-Shaped People http://bit.ly/cmYxCN #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: Hyperproductivity in Scrum http://bit.ly/bPrStT #pmot #kanban #baot #
Look at the design at the capability level and break it into mini-specifications. Mini-research, usability, prototype @desireesy #agileroots #
@desireesy The developer that will be working on a feature is required to attend at least one usability session for that feature. #agileroot #
@desireesy NPD includes DISCOVERY Class of Service. Agile UX works. Get her paper or see her at Agile2010 in Orlando. #agileroots #
@Totheralistair Is talking about software development as a system of conversation. #
@tahari It was so nice to meet you. in reply to tahari #
#agileroots was awesome! What an amazing community in Salt Lake City. #
@PapaChrisMatts Talking about doing software development as a system of conversation. in reply to PapaChrisMatts #
Check out: The Best Bosses Are The Most Self-Aware: More Evidence http://bit.ly/aERM5W #pmot #kanban #baot #
@totheralistair Thanks for the hospitality and conversation. #agileroots was awesome. Looking forward to seeing #icagile unfold. #
@jeffpatton It was nice to see you again. Great talk at #agileroots See you at #agile2010 #
@ghennipher So nice to meet you. You are very cool and kind. Thanks for the hospitality. Hope to see you again soon. in reply to Ghennipher #
@Ghennipher I will put it on my calendar. in reply to Ghennipher #
Check out: 3GTV is going to change the world . . . and make Foursquare relevant http://bit.ly/dfWmjq #pmot #kanban #baot #
@lcparzianello Okay. in reply to lcparzianello #
@DesireeSy Can you please post (repost) the link to the paper you talked about at #agileroots in reply to DesireeSy #
Hanging with @mcottmeyer (@ Taco Mac w/ @mcottmeyer) http://4sq.com/6DkMz4 #
Check out: Prioritising the Product Backlog http://bit.ly/dhDCwR #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: Kanban and Scrum – Intention and Implementation http://bit.ly/cpHIwi #pmot #kanban #baot #
@DesireeSy you are awesome. Thank you so much. in reply to DesireeSy #
@jhicks0300 Potentially it exposed the chaos that already existed. in reply to jhicks0300 #
RT @dennisstevens: Just Posted: Can Agile Learn Anything from the PMBOK? http://bit.ly/asfN2W #pmot #kanban #baot #
@PapaChrisMatts It can be a two way street. Hopefully, I am contributing to changing that. in reply to PapaChrisMatts #
@PapaChrisMatts I agree. You must have read my post. in reply to PapaChrisMatts #
@PapaChrisMatts Honestly, the PMBOK. $39.47 from Amazon. Introduction discusses Purpose, Context, Lifecycles, Organizational Influences. in reply to PapaChrisMatts #
@PapaChrisMatts Mike Griffiths has a mapping of PMBOK to Agile: http://bit.ly/csxVeX that is interesting at the practice level. in reply to PapaChrisMatts #
Also, The Software Project Managers Bridge to Agility by @michelesliger and Stacia Broderick #
@PapaChrisMatts My typical approach with something new is, how does this add to my way of viewing the world.? Where does it add value? in reply to PapaChrisMatts #
@PapaChrisMatts Rather than, how could this threaten my view? How can I dispute this new thing? in reply to PapaChrisMatts #
@PapaChrisMatts Also, The Software Project Managers Bridge to Agility by @michelesliger and Stacia Broderick in reply to PapaChrisMatts #
@OlafLewitz @PapaChrisMatts and I were having a conversation about my blog post today. – http://bit.ly/asfN2W #
@OlafLewitz Thanks for the kind comment on my blog. in reply to OlafLewitz #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-13

Dennis Stevens — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Check out: Exposure and Visibility http://bit.ly/bccmLG #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: Innovation Will Always Have Messy Parts: Wisdom from IDEO's David Kelley and 3M's Bi… http://bit.ly/c1yKxV #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: Signs of intelligent life at G.M. http://bit.ly/a8xTY1 #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: Big Pie in the Sky… And Other Stuff! http://bit.ly/by7Zdg #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: The Perfect PM 2.0 / Web 2.0 Plan http://bit.ly/c0AkiT #pmot #kanban #baot #
Character counts: http://bit.ly/96pYl9 "I’ll take whatever you can give me, and I’ll handle it like a man, and I’ll do the best I can." #
@agilemanager Thanks David. Working on classes of service post and reducing variability post. in reply to agilemanager #
Check out: Interesting Post… 6/1/2010 through 6/6/2010 http://bit.ly/c1h15i #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: Day 36 – Time to Start Regression Testing http://bit.ly/92wFsv #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: PMBOK is NOT a Method – Part Deux http://bit.ly/cMcFGk #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: The Case Of The Stolen Context http://bit.ly/aTqrok #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: When Kanban is the Best Choice http://bit.ly/bCHDQf #pmot #kanban #baot #
Thanks for retweeting @paul_boos @asplake @Just0and1 @pawelbrodzinski @agilemanager @NicoRuffel @andrev @all2one http://bit.ly/ca4ISf #
Thanks for retweeting @WebAndTech @Wiggly @bobvincent @patrickdebois @PTRSchuh @scharnell http://bit.ly/ca4ISf #
Thanks for retweeting @dhelper @derekhuether @lcparzianello @pascalpinck @LeanKitKanban http://bit.ly/ca4ISf #
My new article just up on Technet: Cloud Computing: Where to Start When You Have Already Started http://bit.ly/ayFcts #baot #kanban #pmot #
@mhsutton Most of us that are still doing it after over a decade. in reply to mhsutton #
@kschwaber I agree with the distinction until you say sophisticated waterfall. Kanban is incremental and iterative and evolutionary. in reply to kschwaber #
@kschwaber So, situational appropriate solutions, kanban and scrum both have value. Scrum in chaos – kanban when some order exists. #
@kschwaber Kanban exposes weaknesses a group has developing complex products so you can improve … in reply to kschwaber #
Check out: Project Management of Software Development Projects http://bit.ly/by5OBZ #pmot #kanban #baot #
@PapaChrisMatts How are you @PapaChrisMatts? Enjoying XP2010? in reply to PapaChrisMatts #
@PapaChrisMatts ??? I thought you were there? in reply to PapaChrisMatts #
@JimPoshible: RT @kschwaber: Is #kanban the last gasp of methodologists? #teched #scrum What does this even mean? in reply to JimPoshible #
@kschwaber: Is #kanban the last gasp of methodologists? #teched #scrum – Ken, what does this even mean? #
@mcottmeyer Dude. I wish I was hanging with ya'll. Oh well, I will see and @michelesliger Sunday and I spent a lot of time with you today. in reply to mcottmeyer #
@bainsight Did you connect with the editor I introduced? in reply to bainsight #
@jurgenappelo But did you remember the peanuts? in reply to jurgenappelo #
@michelesliger @mcottmeyer – two great contributors in the Agile Community – linked forever by the infamous "finger-in-the-ear" incident. in reply to michelesliger #
@paul_boos The corollary is that Agile takes top 10-20% developers. How scalable is that? in reply to paul_boos #
@paul_boos Agile exposes weak developers – I agree in reply to paul_boos #
@paul_boos Nice. I agree. So rather than saying "Developers can't hide in Agile" I prefer, "Agile uncovers opportunities to learn". #
I'm at Taco Mac (3543 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Pleasant Hill, Duluth). http://4sq.com/6DkMz4 #
Where should we do the #kanban meetup on Monday night at #agileroots #
Check out: Rethinking the recall at McDonald’s http://bit.ly/cLSOz4 #pmot #kanban #baot #
@kschwaber Thanks. I look forward to the blog post. in reply to kschwaber #
@kschwaber Will you be in Salt Lake City next week. Maybe we can touch base. in reply to kschwaber #
Check out: Scaling Agile Past the Team – Agile Dev Practices Edition http://bit.ly/d2Vx7i #pmot #kanban #baot #
@kschwaber Nice insightful post. Kanban isn't prescriptive and command and control. It is about participation and evolutionary change. in reply to kschwaber #
@kschwaber Goals are similar, some philosophical differences in how to get there. #
RT @jeantabaka: #bsk2010 "What is the difference between a #kanban board and a #scrum board?" See: http://bit.ly/cueiqM #
RT @davidjbland: Team member used the phrase "Savage Refactoring" during our standup : often associated with "forensic development" #
@lprichar Check out this blog post on estimating and Kanban http://www.dennisstevens.com/2010/06/07/kanban-and-when-will-this-be-done/ in reply to lprichar #
@lprichar Estimate just enough to meet your needs. (none/a little/ a lot) in reply to lprichar #
@dirkriehle Agile is incremental and iterative – timeboxes not required to be IID. in reply to dirkriehle #
@dirkriehle So a team that is doing sustaining engineering with continuous deployment can't be agile. in reply to dirkriehle #
@dirkriehl@dirkriehle Not a debate. If we can understand underlying benefit – we can deepen our understanding. #
@dirkriehle time-boxes serve a/serveral value purpose(s). Can be achieved in other fashion than time-boxes when time-boxes aren't optimal. in reply to dirkriehle #
@dennisstevens I suggest a team is still Agile if the purposes are being achieved. in reply to dennisstevens #
@dirkriehle I suggest the a team is still Agile if the purposes are being achieved. in reply to dirkriehle #
@markusandrezak He has a view based on the destructive impact of TQM and hist personal experience. in reply to markusandrezak #
@markusandrezak #Kanban is not TQM. Room for both Scrum and Kanban. in reply to markusandrezak #
@RonJeffries Upstream "stations" have WIP limits and stop when their WIP limits are hit. The WIP signal informs pull for each "station" in reply to RonJeffries #
@davidjbland They view the world through their experiences . At its worst: Waterfall = soul crushing Agile = irresponsible in reply to davidjbland #
@jessefewell Check out http://bit.ly/dcJWZb. InfoQ has a nice post on the community you helped found. in reply to jessefewell #
Heading to Salt Lake City. #agilepmi #agileroots (@ Gate A25 – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)) http://4sq.com/aOXylY #
Watching US and England – drinking an American beer. #
@paul_boos That is the difference between an enlisted Marine ground pounder and a pilot. I don't go half way. in reply to paul_boos #
@paul_boos I was going to say I put my beer where my mouth is but I suspect we all do. in reply to paul_boos #
@michelesliger looking forward to seeing you. Land at 8:46 – God willing. in reply to michelesliger #
@scrumdonkey @mcottmeyer is being provocative. Taking lines out of context is Not helpful. in reply to scrumdonkey #
@mcottmeyer I know you can take care of yourself. #
@markotaipale I have had 5x consistently without major changes by switching to flow mindset. in reply to markotaipale #
@michelesliger "Leaving on a Jet Plane" – John Denver. But I may be dating myself. #
Check out: 50 Awesome Quotes on Risk Taking http://bit.ly/bQHhCG #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: Dreams of the Future http://bit.ly/bBHa6y #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: Best Practices: Continuous Build http://bit.ly/9jupUW #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: The Romance of Creativity http://bit.ly/aTkr5z #pmot #kanban #baot #
Check out: Quote of the Day http://bit.ly/cQe8M7 #pmot #kanban #baot #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-06-06

Dennis Stevens — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Best burger, coldest beer on the beach. (@ St Clements) http://4sq.com/dvqbvz #
Check out: Writing About Testing wrapup http://bit.ly/biLGqC #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: Elements of Project Successful http://bit.ly/aG7OEj #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: A Shitty View of the Pecking Order http://bit.ly/9zEmaH #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: Critical Thinking, Underpinning of an Effective Business Strategy http://bit.ly/9GsDhj #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: Why You Should Use Common PM Language http://bit.ly/9DCp5e #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: The Kanban Story: Swarming http://bit.ly/9mJygc #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: I’m Not a Wildebeest–Setting the Right Goals Matters http://bit.ly/bvlPfo #pmot #kanba #baot #
RT @gerrykirk: RT @cory_foy: This. Is. Crazy: http://bit.ly/9q2h3p #oilspill You have to watch this. Unbelievable. #
@michelesliger Sitting on the beach, drinking a Margarita, bet You would enjoy this. Wish you were here in reply to michelesliger #
Another Beach Bar. Maybe the coolest one yet. (@ Bummz Beach Cafe & Bar) http://4sq.com/9YsR1S #
RE: @7thpixel David,
I think this is awesome. Keep doing what makes sense – draw from what others are learning to ha… http://disq.us/dofhk #
@michelesliger I have some thoughts on this I will share with you in SLC. in reply to michelesliger #
RT @DavidJBland: I thought my kanban article would be controversial. Others seeing similar transitions? http://bit.ly/bDDP7V #kanban #
RE: @14409265 Right. In a team doing KTLO the ceremonies around iterations are very likely waste. A new team startin… http://disq.us/dogmg #
@DavidJBland Yeah. that was weird. in reply to davidjbland #
@DavidJBland BTW, I agree with @jlindenreed on retrospectives. Valuable learning opportunities in addition to operations review. in reply to davidjbland #
RT @ldatta: In your #collaboration effort, ask these 8 questions! http://bit.ly/amaMwj #kanban builds the answers into the ceremonies. #
@erwilleke You are looking 3-5 years in the future for most people. The WIP problem is still the biggest. in reply to erwilleke #
@erwilleke The solutions include economic models and business value based prioritization. in reply to erwilleke #
@erwilleke Enjoyed drinks the other night. Are you coming to Agile Roots. It is in SLC, right up the street. in reply to erwilleke #
#kanban Who is coming to Agile Roots? Let's do a Kanban gathering for a bit on Monday night. #
@erwilleke Got it. Maybe tying organizational psychology and economics into the model. in reply to erwilleke #
@erwilleke That's where my head is at – explicitly coupling the social and economic into visual work. in reply to erwilleke #
@lcparzianello Your rock luiz. #
@erwilleke Okay. Orgpsy next. Who else in the kanban group has a degree in Organizational Psychology? in reply to erwilleke #
@erwilleke nice – as John Belushi said "Seven years of college down the drain – might as well join the peace corps." in reply to erwilleke #
@disqushelp Replied on @davidjbland's blog got a weird tweet. http://bit.ly/a1UNa1 in reply to disqushelp #
@erwilleke We need to understand the underlying orgpsy and economics so we align the tools with what works. in reply to erwilleke #
The Marshmallow Challenge is must see. http://bit.ly/90Od73 #collaboration #prototyping #innovation #agile #scrum #kanban :via @hroark #
Hanging with @mcottmeyer (@ Villa Sonoma w/ @mcottmeyer) http://4sq.com/bYnSws #
Hanging with @mcottmeyer and @leanopions (@ Cinco Mexican Cantina w/ @mcottmeyer) http://4sq.com/9zI6y2 #
@agilemanager @mcottmeyer 18 people. We played @getkanban's game on the second morning. It went well. in reply to agilemanager #
http://is.gd/cDHYs #kanban #baot #pmot #
Check out: Growing and Fostering Craftsmanship http://bit.ly/c4g5H3 #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: The death of “Location. Location. Location.” http://bit.ly/dnRsRV #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: Kent Beck's evolution of Agile Manifesto http://bit.ly/byaIxV #pmot #kanba #baot #
@xxkickerxx thanks for hashtag correction in reply to xxkickerxx #
Ran @getkanban's the #Kanban game yesterday. Class learned a lot – well designed game. #
@lcparzianello Luiz – did you finish the History of Agile slides? in reply to lcparzianello #
@mcottmeyer I think @versionone should publish a Kanban paper. in reply to mcottmeyer #
Check out: Schizophrenic Use Of Methods http://bit.ly/agJR0j #pmot #kanba #baot #
Okay. I finally fixed my twitterfeed so it will add #kanban instead of #kanba #
@lcparzianello Cool. We can finish it together. #
Congratulations @OlavMaassen: Risk mgmnt in Kanban using real options was accepted for Lean & Kanban 2010 Europe http://bit.ly/bwWIuO #
Interesting Post from @herdingcats: Why is there still talk about Agile vs PMBOK. http://bit.ly/bm6Nec #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-05-30

Dennis Stevens — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:00:00 +0000

@flowchainsensei Are #Lean and #Agile orthogonal or conflicting? in reply to flowchainsensei #
@flowchainsensei I agree. in reply to flowchainsensei #
@flowchainsensei They operate along different axes – agile = team & learning, lean = work flow in reply to flowchainsensei #
@flowchainsensei Maybe team & learning is most critical at the local level. in reply to flowchainsensei #
@flowchainsensei Lean is more valuable for org-wide learning than Agile. Teams discussion won't work in 140 characters. in reply to flowchainsensei #
@flowchainsensei Semantic overload in learning here I think. Lean is understanding the system – Agile is product specific knowledge. in reply to flowchainsensei #
@jason_a_reid For example – where are organization's observing Agile beyond teams? Its the Agile Manifesto for Sofware Development, right? in reply to jason_a_reid #
@jason_a_reid This is another overloaded word I guess. in reply to jason_a_reid #
@jason_a_reid An attempt to define Agile… in reply to jason_a_reid #
@jason_a_reid 1. Incremental and Iterative development in alignment with business value in reply to jason_a_reid #
@jason_a_reid 2. Facilitate change associated with feedback in reply to jason_a_reid #
@dennisstevens 3. Drive Transparency into the Project Status, Viability of the Product, and Delivery Capabilities to achieve Fit in reply to dennisstevens #
@jason_a_reid 3. Drive Transparency into the Project Status, Viability of the Product, and Delivery Capabilities to achieve Fit in reply to jason_a_reid #
@jason_a_reid 4. Compel Collaboration, Feedback and Learning about both the product and the delivery capabilities to improve quality in reply to jason_a_reid #
@jason_a_reid Many companies are benefiting from Agile development to be more responsive to the market. in reply to jason_a_reid #
@jason_a_reid But Agile is about getting better at product development when facing uncertainty in reply to jason_a_reid #
RT @JafTalks: #agile Methodologies – Active users involvement is the key http://bit.ly/d2VcRZ #pmot #baot #kanban #
Check out: Suggestions for a better Daily Scrum http://bit.ly/aUqxvF #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: Empowerment: Such a Trendy Word http://bit.ly/a0eUbO #pmot #kanba #baot #
RT @pascalpinck: New blog post: Early reflections on Relational Flow (thanks to @dennisstevens) http://bit.ly/c2EyvV #kanban #baot #pmot #
@jaredrichardson Great Post on how Kanban drives the right conversations http://bit.ly/aO6H0p #
@paul_boos Is your team doing the "After-Meeting"? in reply to paul_boos #
@paul_boos How are you handling the daily standup? 3 questions or walking the board? #
@paul_boos What conversations aren't taking place that you want to see? #
@paul_boos Okay. I like to use walk the board right to left. Help the team identify blocks, next steps, and oportunities for discussions. in reply to paul_boos #
@paul_boos The team makes a list of conversations / meetings that need to take place. in reply to paul_boos #
@paul_boos The team is responsible for having the conversation in the aftermeeting, putting the conversation on their calendar, or … in reply to paul_boos #
@paul_boos setting up time to have the conversation. in reply to paul_boos #
@paul_boos I want to minimize time while optimizing communication flow. in reply to paul_boos #
@paul_boos Check out http://bit.ly/esMp – Thinking has matured in the 4 years since but the presentation may give you some thoughts. in reply to paul_boos #
@paul_boos Focus is on enabling just the conversations needed now to move the work forward. Everything else is not useful today. in reply to paul_boos #
@paul_boos Kanban helps identify the conversations we need to have now. in reply to paul_boos #
Dan Fogelberg Rock and Roll Hall of Fame petition: http://bit.ly/aSfKPb Check out this great guitar playing http://bit.ly/cl5uHo #
@jurgenappelo It looks like you are using Twitter to communicate subliminal messages to your team. in reply to jurgenappelo #
Talking Agile with @petemastin (@ Internap Network Services Corp.) http://4sq.com/b8bhUe #
Check out: Day 22 – Food Friday http://bit.ly/cUzONK #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: The real outsourcing revolution isn’t happening where you think it is http://bit.ly/dl4bPf #pmot #kanba #baot #
@RonJeffries Don some methods tend to create environments more conducive to people working well together. in reply to RonJeffries #
@RonJeffries Don't some methods tend to create environments more conducive to people working well together? #
@michelesliger Read the Free Manual – right? in reply to michelesliger #
At the Georgia High School A Baseball State Championship (@ Aquinas High School) http://4sq.com/bWDoNg #
Vacation! Awesome condo – balcony on the beach. (@ South Winds Resort) http://4sq.com/9tici2 #
@bsonderg It must be lost in the mail. in reply to bsonderg #
@DarylKulak I posted a response to your comment at http://bit.ly/cueiqM #kanban #agile #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-05-23

Dennis Stevens — Sun, 23 May 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Check out: Ultralight Backpacking and Other Saturday Morning Musings http://bit.ly/cc2MLm #pmot #kanba #baot #
http://short.to/2gnc2 #
At the State Baseball playoffs. Go Wolves. (@ Bethesda Home For Boys) http://4sq.com/drW3Rx #
On the river in Savannah (@ chart house) http://4sq.com/a3W2Cz #
Working at Starbucks (@ Starbucks) http://4sq.com/bPY5ap #
Check out: Finally, it’s here, the customer segment of “me”, the crowd of 1 http://bit.ly/aj3mCe #pmot #kanba #baot #
Wesleyan boys advance in the State baseball tournament. (@ Bethesda Home For Boys) http://4sq.com/drW3Rx #
Back in Atlanta. Watching the Braves. (@ Taco Mac) http://4sq.com/6DkMz4 #
@Kudzu35 thanks for your service. USMC during Desert Storm. Served stateside, Japan, Philippines. in reply to Kudzu35 #
@jchyip Jason, I was Deputy PM on OPM3 and serve on the advisory board (although not listened to all the time) #
@jchyip I can get you a copy I think. But you can't blame me for destructive implementation. in reply to jchyip #
@jeantabaka – Are you going to Agile Roots in SLC? in reply to jeantabaka #
RT @jchyip: Just remember – I have global warming, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and the current financial crisis to hold over you. #
@AmazonGrace I you read David's book now it will have a deep Scottish brogue. in reply to AmazonGrace #
Check out: Presentation: Rearchitecting Enterprise Class Systems http://bit.ly/bixMDz #pmot #kanba #baot #
I'm at Fiserv (Norcross, GA 30092, Norcross). http://4sq.com/dch3WR #
Just registered for Agile Roots. Anyone else going? #
@darylkulak I was reading a really nice Use Case book earlier today. Good job. How long did it take to write the book? in reply to darylkulak #
@darylkulak Google TV. Not even close. Even if it isn't perfect up front the architecture will continue to update it over time. in reply to darylkulak #
@SquidBooBlast #
@Stephen_Reid in UltiPro demo with Kelly Brown and Craig Monnin #
I just unlocked the "Adventurer" badge on @foursquare! http://4sq.com/9JFrOI #
I'm at Red Rabbit (9700 Medlock Bridge Rd, Duluth). http://4sq.com/aIU3Td #
@darylkulak Thanks for the comment – just responded. I don't think we are that far apart. in reply to darylkulak #
Check out: Trustworthiness… Then Trust http://bit.ly/cowBio #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: What’s Deming Got To Do With Agile? http://bit.ly/bdRbpD #pmot #kanba #baot #
via @projectshrink: organizations are nothing more than an empty vehicle to facilitate the execution of a large set of temporary endeavors. #
@vincentbir I agree but don't see the conflict. The business sets the objectives – the projects are executed within the organization. #
@vincentbir So let's add … in line with the organization's strategy. I like the agile sense of temporary endeavors. #
I'm at La Parrilla (The Forum, Norcross). http://4sq.com/6fFScS #
Designing the Stop Sign: http://bit.ly/5cWXhI – Very funny in a sad kind of way. #pmot #baot #kanban #
Another funny in a sad way video: The Vendor Client relationship – in real world situations http://bit.ly/cGcUrI #
@ryancrawcour Typically how much and when can only be answered within bounds. Agile doesn't change ability to estimate. in reply to ryancrawcour #
@ryancrawcour Agile (IID + learning) will help you validate assumptions earlier, narrow bounds of uncertainty, and increase options. in reply to ryancrawcour #
@ryancrawcour Identify all the work you understand you have to do. Estimate it. Add some contingency to each stream for uncertainty. in reply to ryancrawcour #
@ryancrawcour Assume some amount of dark matter – adding some buffer to the project estimate. in reply to ryancrawcour #
@ryancrawcour Identify your critically constrained resources and deliverable dependencies – I have had success using CCPM to determine when. in reply to ryancrawcour #
@dennisstevens Then plan the project to address risk early and deliver the highest value features first. in reply to dennisstevens #
@ryancrawcour No hype. Pragmatic planning that supports Agile delivery. in reply to ryancrawcour #
@TCagley We have all seen studies that over 70% of the cost of software is maintenance – right? So it isn't that there are no projects… in reply to TCagley #
@TCagley … it is that we treat maintenance work from a project paradigm – new releases = maintenance not new projects. in reply to TCagley #
@ryancrawcour We can analyze at a high level. We break the outcome down in a cascading story map then use t-shirt size / complexity matrix. in reply to ryancrawcour #
@ryancrawcour I have rapidly estimated big projects with this model and been accurate within the bounds of understanding. in reply to ryancrawcour #
@ryancrawcour This summer I will try to write up the entire Agile estimating process in a white paper and publish it on the website. in reply to ryancrawcour #
@ryancrawcour But you are correct – you have to do big block architecture and OOM estimating up front. in reply to ryancrawcour #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-05-16

Dennis Stevens — Sun, 16 May 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Check out: What Do I Mean by a Complex Product? http://bit.ly/cRcFzj #pmot #kanba #baot #
@StruManchu http://bit.ly/deugaS There was a presentation at the Lean Software and Systems Conference on Kanban for Game Production. in reply to StruManchu #
RT @murianwind: System thinking and Kanban http://bit.ly/bOMM34 #kanban #pmot #baot #
@neilhenegan Is there really an XP versus Scrum debate. They are complimentary aren't they? in reply to neilhenegan #
RT @derekhuether: Don't ever tell me Twitter is a time suck when you invite me to a 2hr strategy meeting without an agenda #pmot #rant #
@neilhenegan Yep. I agree. I like engagement better than the bunker. In Scrum it depends on how you define the "Team". in reply to neilhenegan #
RT @jamesnewkirk: #agile2010 is being relocated to the Swan and Dolphin Hotel in Orlando, FL – dates remain the same. #kanban #pmot #baot #
Check out: The 9 Capabilities of Communicators http://bit.ly/96OLAH #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: Nordstrom in New York, this shoe fits the risk profile http://bit.ly/caMjHK #pmot #kanba #baot #
RT @jchyip: Without a clear, shared purpose, what do you expect the result of self-organisation to be? : Right on! #
Check out my latest SlideShare presentation : Strategy Execution http://slidesha.re/c4ABnO #pmot #baot #kanban #agile #
Watching baseball (@ Wesleyan School) http://4sq.com/bjkO7v #
Check out: Agile and Lean Product Development – Yesteryear, Today and into the Future http://bit.ly/d1QCwM #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: All Solutions Have a Problem http://bit.ly/9R165S #pmot #kanba #baot #
Check out: There Are No Spherical Chickens! http://bit.ly/cMGtkH #pmot #kanba #baot #
State baseball tournament (@ Wesleyan School) http://4sq.com/bjkO7v #
Hanging with @mcottmeyer (@ Wild Wing Cafe) http://4sq.com/5uSm7v #
I'm at Cinco Mexican Cantina. http://4sq.com/9GO16a #
Check out: Insights, not just information http://bit.ly/a2VUfb #pmot #kanba #baot #
Interesting Post: http://short.to/2hag8 #kanban #baot #pmot #