Patterns and Agile Expert Linda Rising, Global Presenter
Linda Rising has a Ph.D. from Arizona State University in the field of object-based design metrics and a background that includes university teaching and industry work in telecommunications, avionics, and strategic weapons systems.
An internationally known presenter on topics related to patterns, retrospectives, agile development approaches, and the change process, Linda is the author of numerous articles and four books---Design Patterns in Communications, The Pattern Almanac 2000, A Patterns Handbook, and Fearless Change: Patterns for Introducing New Ideas, written with Mary Lynn Manns.
Abstract: Project Retrospectives are an important part of any software development process. The Principles Behind the Agile Manifesto state that, "At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly." How can this be done? By taking the time to reflect and learn and proactively determine what should be done differently in the next iteration, release, or project. Linda's presentation will introduce techniques for project retrospectives, whether they are agile or not. The techniques help teams discover what they're doing well so that successful practices can continue and identify what should be done differently to improve performance. Retrospectives are not finger pointing or blaming sessions, but rather a highly effective process in which teams reflect on the past in order to become more effective in the future. Linda will share her experiences with leading retrospectives of several kinds for dozens of projects, both successful and unsuccessful, small and large, in academia and industry. Her lessons learned can be applied to any project to enable teams and organizations to become learning organizations.
Presentation: "Deception and Estimation: How We Fool Ourselves"
Time:
Tuesday 15:15 - 16:00
Location:
To be announced
Abstract: Cognitive scientists tell us that we are hardwired for deception. It
seems we are overly optimistic, and, in fact, we wouldn't have survived
without this trait. With this built-in bias as a starting point, it's
almost impossible for us to estimate accurately. That doesn't mean all
is lost. We must simply accept that our estimates are best guesses and
continually re-evaluate as we go, which is, of course, the agile
approach to managing change. Linda Rising has been part of many
plan-driven development projects where sincere, honest people with
integrity wanted to make the best estimates possible and used many
"scientific" approaches to make it happen - all for naught. Re-estimation
was regarded as an admission of failure to do the best up-front estimate
and resulted in a lot of overhead and meetings to try to "get it right."
Offering examples from ordinary life - especially from the way people eat
and drink - Linda demonstrates how hard it is for us to see our poor
estimating skills and helps us learn to avoid the self-deception that is
hardwired in all of us.
Workshop: "Introducing Change"
Time:
Wednesday 09:00 - 12:00
Location:
To be announced
Abstract:
Those who attend conferences or read books and
articles discover new ideas they want to bring into their organizations—but
they often struggle when trying to implement those changes. Unfortunately,
those introducing change are not always welcomed with open arms. Linda Rising
offers proven change management strategies to help you become a more successful
agent of change in your organization. Learn how to plant effective seeds of
change, and what forces in your organization drive or block change. In addition
to using these approaches to change your organization, you can use them to
become a more effective person. Come and discuss your organizational and
personal change challenges. Linda shows how the lessons from her book, Fearless
Change: Patterns for Introducing New Ideas, can help you succeed. Learn how to
overcome adversity to change and to celebrate your improvement successes along
with your organization’s new found practices.
Workshop: "Agile Retrospectives"
Time:
Wednesday 13:00 - 16:00
Location:
To be announced
Abstract:
Project Retrospectives can be a vital part of
any software development project. In Agile development, one of the Principles
Behind the Agile Manifesto states that, “At regular intervals, the team
reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behavior
accordingly.” How can this be done? This tutorial will present techniques for
facilitating project retrospectives. Attendees will learn how to help their
teams discover what they’re doing well so that successful practices can
continue and identify what should be done differently to improve a team’s
performance. Retrospectives are not finger-pointing sessions, but rather a
highly effective series of activities in which teams reflect on the past in
order to become more effective in the future. Participants will be introduced
to the retrospective process, learn techniques for leading retrospectives, hear
the experiences of the tutorial leaders who have led retrospectives for
numerous projects, and have the opportunity to participate in a retrospective
simulation.
