SPaMCAST 571 - The Art of Saying No, Jiu-Jitsu and Teams, Essays and Conversations

Published: Nov. 3, 2019, 10 p.m.

SPaMCAST 571 features our essay titled the Art of Saying No.\xa0 I recently presented a workshop on saying no -- a simple word that is very difficult to say.\xa0 During the session, three specific reasons why participants could not say no generated a huge debate. Today we ask you to decide how you feel about the impact of a history of performance, interruptions, and demands. Feel free to share your opinion.\xa0 We will also have a visit from Jeremy Berriault.\xa0 In the QA Corner this month, Jeremy provides observations about outside interests and their ability to improve focus and reduce burnout. Jeremy\u2019s outside interests are Jiu-Jitsu and his family.\xa0 Jeremy can be reached at or by email at Jeremy.Berriault@Berriaultandassociates.com.\xa0 We had planned to have Michael Larsen on the cast this week, however, Mr. Larsen was affected by power outages in the Bay Area of California due to wildfires.\xa0 Re-Read Saturday News In this week\u2019s installment of our re-read of we consider Chapter 25, Bernoulli\u2019s Errors. When I first read the chapter I struggled with how Kahneman\u2019s ideas translated to process improvement and change programs.\xa0 I was naive enough to believe that the majority of outcomes could be predicted based on the economic outcome. After seeing more than one change program fail even though they could have had a positive return on investment, it dawned on me that the context and preexisting conditions as described in Chapter 25 should play a part in planning for change. Remember, if you do not have a favorite, dog-eared copy of , please buy a copy.\xa0 Using the links in this blog entry helps support the blog and its alter-ego, The Software Process and Measurement Cast. ,\xa0 It\u2019s time to get reading! The current installment of Re-read Saturday\xa0 \xa0 \xa0 Next SPaMCAST SPaMCAST 572 will feature our interview with Michael Larsen -- assuming the fires and Santa Ana winds cooperate.\xa0 Michael and I will discuss testability. Anyone that has participated in delivering software EVER has wrestled with this problem.\xa0 Michael brings fresh and actionable insights into how to assure testability.