Richard J Foster

Background

Having worked in software development for more years than I care to admit, I am always keeping my eyes open for tools and techniques to make my life easier. While I have no experience working in a truly Agile team, I have attempted to introduce various Agile principles to my co-workers. Some (Continuous Integration, Version Control, Test Driven Development) have been adopted. Others (including Code Reviews/Pair programming, regular stand-up meetings and study groups) have not.

In recent years, I realized that there was a real risk that the benefits of understanding agile software development would pass me by, and possibly even make it difficult for me to obtain a fulfilling career position elsewhere. I started to get more involved in the agile community, and to sharpen my mental saw. I took advantage of the fact that places like StickyMinds.com were looking for book reviewers and signed up. Some of the books I was asked to review (like Andy Hunt's Pragmatic Thinking and Learning) while not strictly associated with Agile development offered suggestions (e.g. Study groups) that certainly were.

My personal goal is to become an active member of a "real" Agile team in the next 12 months or less (I.e. before 1 May, 2011). Will I accomplish that? We shall see.

Currently Reading

Dave Gray, Sunni Brown, James Macanufo Gamestorming (ISBN 978-0596804176)

Recently Completed

Robert K. Wysocki's Adaptive Project Framework: Managing Complexity in the Face of Uncertainty (ISBN 978-0321525611)

Lots of interesting information in here, although the presentation was sometimes not as clear as it might have been. Specifically, having introduced terms once he tends to only use the acronyms. In addition some of the information is repeated more often than it needs to. Still well worth reading. I plan to use many (if not all) of the concepts mentioned in my next project.

Current Quests

To help my organization adopt Agile methods where applicable. All areas need work, but the top three are (IMHO) Business Value, Supportive Culture, and Technical Excellence. Typically at least one individual on most teams has reached the Journeying phase, but other members on the team are still in the Questioning phase (if they are even at that point).

To improve my skills in the Business Value pillar. Specific goal and timescale still to be determined.

Learning TimeLine

[To be continued....]