0 Today's update of Scrum'd, the agile project management tool from Atlantic Dominion Solutions, added project RSS feeds, simplified security, and added a few UI tweeks. **Read more** on the [Atlantic Dominion Solutions blog][1]. [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2010/02/08/enjoy-todays-scrumd-updates/ 2010-02-08T19:12:45+00:00 534 0 2010-02-08T19:12:45+00:00 1 0 For Agile projects, managers need to focus on results and velocity, not on the burndown charts. **Read more** about [focusing on results rather than charts][1]. [1]: http://bit.ly/dtsNU7 2010-02-04T15:07:41+00:00 533 0 2010-02-04T15:07:41+00:00 1 0 This [article][1] presents what are the Scrum Product Owner activities and how he has to keep the balance of interests between the Scrum team and the other stakeholders. [1]: http://www.devagile.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=550 2010-02-03T11:47:06+00:00 532 0 2010-02-03T11:47:06+00:00 29 0 Scrum'd got a bit UI update today including a liquid layout, icons, and many more small tweeks to improve the usability of the app. [Learn more about today's big Scrum'd update >>][1] [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2010/02/01/get-scrumd-all-over-your-screen-with-the-january-2010-ui-update/ 2010-02-01T20:59:07+00:00 531 0 2010-02-01T20:59:07+00:00 1 0 If you don't know where you are, and you don't know where you want to be, then you definitely won't be able to figure out how to get there. Obvious I know, but worth stating. But that's why we need to document our current process. Join the discussion on [documenting an Agile process >>][1] [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2010/01/28/should-you-document-your-agile-process/ 2010-01-28T14:09:46+00:00 530 0 2010-01-28T14:09:46+00:00 1 0 Interview with Jason Yip about Daily Stand-ups has been published. Jason is the author of one of the best descriptions of daily stand-up technique in the article *"It's Not Just Standing Up: Patterns of Daily Stand-up Meetings"*. In this interview Jason tells us when he first heard about the daily meetings and how his view of this technique has changed since then. *"A well-run standup is very effective at exposing problems"* says Jason. He also claims that *"walk-the-board"* style is something that many teams should consider trying. [Read more of Janson Yip's view on Daily Stand-ups.][1] [1]: http://henriklarsson.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/interview-with-jason-yip-on-daily-stand-ups/ 2010-01-27T18:57:57+00:00 529 1 2010-01-27T18:57:57+00:00 32 0 User stories, the common format for Agile requirements, help us to understand who we are developing for, what we are creating, and what that should look like when it's complete. Writing user stories is an art practiced by developers, business analysts, and others, and is a necessity for any Agile project. The better the stories, the more likely we are to get what we want. In this free webinar we'll cover: writing user stories from a bullet list of who and what, defining done through acceptance criteria, the roles involved in user story creation, and current best practices for developing user stories. [Reserve your spot today >>][1] [1]: http://www.adsdevshop.com/agile-webinars/agile-requirements-webinar/ 2010-01-27T11:28:12+00:00 528 0 2010-01-27T11:28:12+00:00 1 0 Early bird registration for the Agile Central Europe Conference is now open. Participants who sign up and pay before the fifteenth of February will receive a 15% discount off of the normal entry fee of 100 Euros ($140 U.S.). [Read more >>][1] [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2010/01/26/agile-central-europe-early-bird-registration/ 2010-01-26T15:14:49+00:00 527 0 2010-01-26T15:14:49+00:00 1 0 What can you do when a strategic software system written in java is unmaintanable? [This article][1] presents the precious experience harvested in a large software architecture refactoring project. [1]: http://www.methodsandtools.com/archive/archive.php?id=98 2010-01-25T09:27:58+00:00 526 0 2010-01-25T09:27:58+00:00 29 0 [Scott Guthrie discusses Microsoft’s relationship with Agile][1]. Learn what Microsoft is doing to enable developers to adopt an agile strategy. [1]: http://www.tvagile.com/2010/01/22/is-microsoft-going-agile-insights-from-scott-guthrie/ 2010-01-22T17:38:18+00:00 525 0 2010-01-22T17:38:18+00:00 29 0 For an Agile team, handling circumstances is the most challenging. It is the job of everyone, especially the ScrumMaster, to improve them. [Learn the top circumstances employees and managers have to deal with, and how to address them >>][1] [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2010/01/20/handling-circumstances-as-an-agile-team/ 2010-01-20T16:43:46+00:00 524 0 2010-01-20T16:43:46+00:00 1 0 The fact that this book is already at his second edition after a first publication in 2004 says something about its value. In one of his definition of Agile, Jim Highsmith says, “Agility is the ability to balance flexibility and stability”. I will say that his book balances nicely high level thinking and a pragmatic approach. The book provides a framework for running agile projects and gives also insight in some more neglected related topics like managing projects portfolios or measuring the success of Agile projects. [Read the complete review][1]. [1]: http://www.devagile.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=534 2010-01-19T08:54:32+00:00 523 0 2010-01-19T08:54:32+00:00 29 0 This [video][1] is a presentation on how an Agile team works in the real world. The composition and function of a Tiger Team is described. Daily activities, roles of QA, Product, Developer, Manager, and other needed disciplines for a project are described as well. [1]: http://www.tvagile.com/2010/01/11/herding-tigers-software-development-and-the-art-of-war/ 2010-01-14T12:53:26+00:00 522 0 2010-01-14T12:53:26+00:00 29 0 A rant about how the Agile Manifesto and Scrum are just fine and should not be changed. [Read the rant and comment >>][1] [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2010/01/13/leave-the-agile-manifesto-alone-rant/ 2010-01-13T12:15:31+00:00 521 1 2010-01-13T12:15:31+00:00 1 0 An Agile environment is composed of many things: infrastructure, software, and meeting space. The right things allow for quick adaptation to continual change. Learn more about [the things that compose Agile environments >>][1] [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2010/01/11/the-things-that-compose-agile-environments/ 2010-01-11T18:47:23+00:00 520 0 2010-01-11T18:47:23+00:00 1 0 The Methods & Tools newsletter has just released in its html archive section the article "[Agile Coaching Tips][1]" by Rachel Davies. An agile coach's domain is team collaboration and how the work is organized to create a steady stream of valuable working software. In this article, Rachel Davies shares her experience about Agile Coaching that is also available in the excellent book that she wrote with Liz Sedley. [1]: http://www.methodsandtools.com/archive/archive.php?id=96 2010-01-11T09:34:00+00:00 519 0 2010-01-11T09:34:00+00:00 29 0 This video from the discuss how, for many years, we were sold the idea that Agile does not scale when it is actually Waterfall and plan-driven are the approaches that do not scale. [http://www.tvagile.com/2010/01/05/agile-scales-waterfall-doesn%E2%80%99t/][1] [1]: http://www.tvagile.com/2010/01/05/agile-scales-waterfall-doesn%E2%80%99t/ 2010-01-11T07:19:37+00:00 518 0 2010-01-11T07:19:37+00:00 29 0 An environment is complex. It's composed of people, things, and circumstances. An environment acts upon us, and we act within and upon it. It shapes who we are and how we act. For any team, having an environment that is conducive to self-motivation is highly important. [Learn more >>][1] [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2010/01/08/creating-the-proper-environment-for-an-agile-team/ 2010-01-09T02:09:10+00:00 517 0 2010-01-09T02:09:10+00:00 1 0 The Winter 2009 issue of Methods & Tools contains an interesting article from Rachel Davies about Agile Coaching Tips. She shares her experience that is also available in the excellent book that she wrote with Liz Sedley. When I reviewed her book this summer, I started thinking about the coaching role that external people are now assuming versus the traditional consultant position. On the same question I saw a recent blog post discussing the utility of agile coaches. The author said that you should accept advice only from people that had achieved themselves something big, citing personalities like John Carmack or Linus Torvalds. [http://blog.martinig.ch/software-development/the-consultant-the-coach-and-delivering-value/][1] [1]: http://blog.martinig.ch/software-development/the-consultant-the-coach-and-delivering-value/ 2010-01-08T14:00:30+00:00 516 0 2010-01-08T14:00:30+00:00 29 0 This two-day workshop being held March 1-2 in Philadelphia, PA March provides everything you need to get going with Agile and Scrum. More and more companies are adopting Agile development to gain faster time to market, increased return on investment, lower development costs, and greater customer involvement. Scrum, the typical starting point for new Agile teams, brings greater visibility to projects, increases accountability, helps with forecasting, and allows for continuous change. We'll cover a lot of ground including Agile principles, Scrum practices, roles, and responsibilities, writing user stories, release and sprint planning, and much more. Learn more about the [Fundamentals of Agile and Scrum workshop][1]. [1]: http://www.adsdevshop.com/services/agile-training-and-consulting/agile-training/fundamentals-of-agile-and-scrum/ 2010-01-07T12:18:23+00:00 515 1 2010-01-07T12:18:23+00:00 1 0 Methods & Tools is a free e-magazine for software developers, testers and project managers. Winter 2009 issue has just been published with the following articles: * Refactoring Large Software Systems * An Introduction to Domain Driven Design * Agile Coaching Tips * Are Enterprise AJAX Applications Doomed…Or Are We? * Does Process Improvement Really Pay Off? * SQuirreL SQL Client 60 pages of software development knowledge that you can download from [http://www.methodsandtools.com/mt/download.php?winter09][1] [1]: http://www.methodsandtools.com/mt/download.php?winter09 2010-01-06T14:21:42+00:00 514 0 2010-01-06T14:21:42+00:00 29 0 Lack of trust severely hinders the self-motivation required for an Agile team. This posts looks at how we can address the common trust breakers. [Learn more][1]. [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2010/01/06/building-trust-with-the-agile-team/ 2010-01-06T11:26:08+00:00 513 1 2010-01-06T11:26:08+00:00 1 0 Innovative ADS Skirmish Service Empowers SMBs, Signals Strategic Shift with Agile consulting. Winter Park, FL, January 5, 2010 — [Atlantic Dominion Solutions][1] (ADS) – a leading project management and custom development firm – today announced the launch of ADS Skirmish, its on-site, hands-on Agile implementation service. The first offering of its kind, ADS Skirmish fulfills a critical need for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that’s not currently addressed in the marketplace. Many of these companies are eager to achieve the benefits of Agile, yet can’t afford to allocate resources or lack the budgets to hire expensive consultants. [Learn more][2]. [1]: http://www.adsdevshop.com [2]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2010/01/05/ads-pioneers-new-model-for-agile-implementation/ 2010-01-05T15:20:08+00:00 512 0 2010-01-05T15:20:08+00:00 1 0 As you read the title of this article, you may be thinking, "doesn’t agile methodologies emphasize verbal rather than written communication? is there any value in even talking about documentation in this type of project?". The answer is yes to both questions. [Learn more][1]. [1]: http://www.bridging-the-gap.com/the-positive-influence-bas-have-in-the-quality-of-documentation-in-agile-projects 2010-01-04T12:15:15+00:00 511 0 2010-01-04T12:15:15+00:00 1 0 More and more companies are adopting Agile development to gain faster time to market, increased return on investment, lower development costs, and greater customer involvement. Scrum, the typical starting point for new Agile teams, brings greater visibility to projects, increases accountability, helps with forecasting, and allows for continuous change. Join us for this free webinar with Robert Dempsey, Certified Scrum Practitioner, and CEO and Founder of Atlantic Dominion Solutions. [Reserve your spot now >>][1] [1]: http://www.adsdevshop.com/agile-webinars/introduction-to-scrum-for-managers-webinar/ 2010-01-04T11:54:41+00:00 510 0 2010-01-04T11:54:56+00:00 1 0 Most people are internally motivated. Knowing this, we can help them to motivate themselves in the direction we need them to go. [Learn more][1]. [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2010/01/04/how-to-motivate-an-agile-team/ 2010-01-04T11:17:23+00:00 509 0 2010-01-04T11:17:23+00:00 1 0 In Agile, there is the notion of velocity. Velocity is the total number of story points that a team completes each sprint. Over time, you can chart the velocity of your Team. Velocity is a useful metric for planning – it tells a product owner how much he or she can put into a future sprint. It helps reduce project risk by making the level of output predictable. Read more about [motivating the Agile team][1]. [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2009/12/23/who-motivates-the-agile-team/ 2009-12-23T15:38:13+00:00 508 0 2009-12-23T15:38:13+00:00 1 0 Get answers to common questions about Scrum and learn how companies use it to their advantage. [Find out more about this free webinar][1]. [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2009/12/22/introduction-to-scrum-for-managers-webinar/ 2009-12-22T16:10:30+00:00 507 0 2009-12-22T16:10:30+00:00 1 0 For businesses looking to offshore, do your homework before doing so, as the cost savings may not be there. Read more about [offshoring and Agile development][1]. [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2009/12/15/does-offshoring-really-save-money/ 2009-12-15T14:54:35+00:00 506 0 2009-12-15T14:54:35+00:00 1 0 Lessons learned about the transition to agile software development during a Scrum training. [http://www.devagile.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=501][1] [1]: http://www.devagile.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=501 2009-12-07T17:50:43+00:00 505 0 2009-12-07T17:50:43+00:00 29 0 On Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at 2pm EST, we'll be giving a free webinar discussing the impact of Agile on business. We'll provide an overview of Agile principles, show the real benefits that businesses have gained from Agile, and talk about a number of successful techniques to make your process more Agile. This webinar is geared to managers and tech executives that are interested to learn more about Agile. [Sign up for the Introduction to Agile for Managers webinar >>][1] [1]: http://www.adsdevshop.com/agile-webinars/introduction-to-agile-for-managers-webinar/ 2009-12-03T16:13:57+00:00 504 0 2009-12-03T16:13:57+00:00 1 S.Q.S. 0 Call for papers QA&TEST 2010 International Conference on Software Testing and QA for Embedded Systems. 27-29 October 2010, Bilbao (Spain) QA&TEST invites the professionals of QA & testing for Embedded Systems to share their knowledge and experiences in the Conference. The Call for Papers has started and will end on 15 February 2010. Participate as a speaker at QA&TEST will bring you the possibility of establishing direct contact with directors and senior executives of technology companies. QA&TEST will allow you to improve your business network and build relationships with potential customers, from the vantage position of being recognized as an expert. Please have a look at the call for papers at www.qatest.org Don't miss the opportunity to be a speaker at QA&TEST 2010!!! 2009-12-03T11:36:48+00:00 503 0 2009-12-03T11:36:48+00:00 0 We’re happy to announce our latest update to Scrum’d, chock full of many of the goodies our customers have been asking for. Here’s the list of what’s new as of today: multiple admins, a stakeholder role, updated burndown charts, closing releases, adding estimated time, fixing typos, a FREE Indy plan, and much more. [Learn more about today's update][1] and then sign up for Scrum'd today for free. [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2009/12/02/scrumd-update-stakeholders-better-burndowns-and-more/ 2009-12-02T16:22:25+00:00 502 0 2009-12-02T16:22:25+00:00 1 0 Much of the literature on Agile is geared toward project managers and teams, and focuses mainly on the how-to of Agile processes, frameworks, and implementation. Being an MBA and a business person, I’ve noted a lack of information for managers, along with something that firms that use Agile can give to their customers. After a number of conversations with Ashley Moran of , we've launched a new series – [Agile for Managers][1]. [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2009/12/01/agile-for-managers-agile-resources-for-managers-and-customers/ 2009-12-01T19:39:54+00:00 501 0 2009-12-01T19:39:54+00:00 1 0 [In this blog Tom Peplow focus' on how you defer decisions and remove dependencies.][1] [1]: http://blogs.imeta.co.uk/TPeplow/archive/2009/11/08/defer-decisions-and-removing-dependencies-ndash-lean-ways-to-quick.aspx 2009-11-30T15:47:40+00:00 500 0 2009-11-30T15:47:40+00:00 5 0 A number of months ago we introduced [ADS Skirmish][1], a service that improves the agility of your entire business, starting with the core development team. While many of our clients are aided by these longer term Agile engagements, some companies require targeted help in the form of classes and workshops. We’re planning many such classes in a variety of locations, and are looking to ensure that we deliver quality and desired Agile training. We need your help. If you’re interested in Agile training, please let us know by [filling out our quick, 3-minutes-or-less Agile training survey][2] and win a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com. [1]: http://www.adsdevshop.com/services#skirmish [2]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2009/11/25/interested-in-agile-training/ 2009-11-25T19:57:32+00:00 499 0 2009-11-25T19:57:32+00:00 1 0 A recent Methods & Tools poll tried to evaluate how software configuration management (change management / version control) is performed by organisations. Is it an informal activity or performed with formal procedures that are validated by an automated tool? Read the results on [http://www.methodsandtools.com/dynpoll/oldpoll.php?SCM2][1] [1]: http://www.methodsandtools.com/dynpoll/oldpoll.php?SCM2 2009-11-24T21:22:00+00:00 498 0 2009-11-24T21:22:00+00:00 29 Anonymous Coward 2 http://www.agile-software-development.com/2009/11/agile-software-development-teams-need.html 2009-11-19T14:04:12+00:00 497 0 2009-11-19T14:04:12+00:00 0 Scrum gets more and more common as an agile method for the management of projects. Those who want to use the model of Scrum successfully should first take a closer look at the description of the three roles and not mistake the Scrum Master with a Team Leader. [http://www.devagile.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=478][1] [1]: http://www.devagile.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=478 2009-11-16T16:05:29+00:00 496 0 2009-11-16T16:05:29+00:00 29 0 Every company starts somewhere, and knowing what tools can help you get quickly and surely to launch can be difficult at best. We know how that goes, and want to help. [Find out how to get a free year of Scrum'd][1]. [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2009/11/14/startups-get-scrumd-for-free-for-a-year/ 2009-11-14T19:50:48+00:00 495 0 2009-11-14T19:50:48+00:00 1 0 The current problem is that hiring an agile consultant to be on-site and work with the team for a number of weeks or months is prohibitively expensive. But this is exactly what is needed to help impart Agile knowledge from person to person. [Learn more][1]. [1]: http://blog.adsdevshop.com/2009/11/09/the-failure-of-do-it-yourself-agile/ 2009-11-09T13:15:13+00:00 494 0 2009-11-09T13:15:13+00:00 1 0 http://www.agile-software-development.com/2009/10/certified-scrum-master-exam.html 2009-10-26T19:29:44+00:00 493 0 2009-10-26T19:29:44+00:00 25 0 The Methods & Tools newsletter has just released in its html archive section the article "[Mature Scrum at Systematic][1]" written by Carsten Ruseng Jakobsen and Jeff Sutherland. This article presents an experience report about mixing CMMI and Scrum in the same company. [1]: http://www.methodsandtools.com/archive/archive.php?id=95 2009-10-26T15:30:20+00:00 492 0 2009-10-26T15:30:20+00:00 29 0 http://www.agile-software-development.com/2009/10/agile-self-assessment-tool.html 2009-10-19T20:26:02+00:00 491 0 2009-10-19T20:26:02+00:00 25 0 Many companies want to "go Agile" to gain the benefits it provides. For these businesses, a big bang Agile transition won’t work. A more structured and thoughtful approach is needed so that progress can continue unimpeded. What we want to do is go down the Agile road, rather than load ourselves onto a catapult and go straight to the end. So how do we do that? I’ll show you the steps we take with our ADS Skirmish customers. [Learn more][1]. [1]: http://bit.ly/aGk1n 2009-10-15T14:58:56+00:00 490 0 2009-10-15T14:58:56+00:00 1 0 I recently ran a poll on which agile project management software you would recommend. It got a terrific response and the results are really interesting! While you're in the mood for polls, I thought I'd run another one. This time I'm asking which agile methodology do you use? http://www.agile-software-development.com/2009/10/agile-methodology.html 2009-10-12T17:15:16+00:00 489 0 2009-10-12T17:15:16+00:00 25 0 I’m helping one of our clients – NFi Studios – look for an Agile project manager / ScrumMaster to work with them in their Orlando office. I’ve been working with NFi on an ADS Skirmish project since August, and they are looking to bring someone onboard full-time to help fuel their growth. They’re a great team of people intent on dominating their market, which they are set up to do. This position will help make that happen. [Learn more about this opportunity][1]. [1]: http://bit.ly/2mB8EH 2009-10-09T19:26:59+00:00 488 0 2009-10-09T19:26:59+00:00 1 0 I think I've been pretty successful in my career. But if I was better at planning, I wouldn't have achieved half the things I've achieved in my career! In fact, I wouldn't even have started some of them... http://www.agile-software-development.com/2009/10/problem-with-planning.html 2009-10-06T07:47:22+00:00 487 0 2009-10-06T07:47:22+00:00 25 0 I think that the authors give a very good definition of leadership when they explain their title: “Standing back does not imply abdicating all responsibility, but rather requires leaders to perform a careful balancing act between stepping back to let the right people in the organization do their thing and stepping up to provide steering when the team has strayed off course”. Read the complete review on [http://blog.martinig.ch/books/stand-back-and-deliver/][1] [1]: http://blog.martinig.ch/books/stand-back-and-deliver/ 2009-10-05T16:47:07+00:00 486 0 2009-10-05T16:47:07+00:00 29 1 [Rob Lambert has been experimenting over the last few years with how best to manage my exploratory testing sessions and test artefacts in an agile environment.][1] [1]: http://www.theagilenews.com/items/484 2009-10-01T14:24:45+00:00 485 0 2009-10-01T14:24:45+00:00 5