Process Improvement While Management Isn’t Looking (Guerilla Process Improvement) Earl Beede © 2002 Earl Beede & Construx Software Builders, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Construx Delivering Software Project Success

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 2 Introduction, Personal  14 years in IT  3 of those with DoD as a Quality Assurance Representative  Certified for Mechanical, Electronics, and SW  Several years at Boeing  Several years in wireless (stint as QA and SEPG manager!)  Currently instructor/consultant at Construx Software

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 3 Introduction, Topic  The problem  You want to do SPI, and “you” here is first person singular  Many presentations/books/articles have THE CAVEAT  “Management support is critical…”  And there is a lot of truth to that

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 4 What Is Your Goal Business Process Re- engineering  Many of us have engaged in business process re-engineering  Much “re-engineering” simply shifted the work upstream or downstream!  Whose process are you improving?  Misfire: I want to make the world a better place – for me!

It's Not About Logic

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 6 It’s Not About Logic It’s the Culture, Stupid  The environment supports the current practices  Rewarding people for “bad” behavior  If they didn’t act that way, what would they do?  Misfire: I can appeal purely to their logic

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 7 It’s Not About Logic Why Are You Not Doing “It” Today?  Current methods are scratching some itch  The current methods worked in an earlier/other environment  The current methods are a known devil  The current methods deflect blame  Misfire: I can ignore the current bad practices

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 8 It’s Not About Logic Best Process Sirens  Strong desire to implement this or that “best” process  Increased production! Fewer defects! Less time and money! World peace!  Has anyone a practical way to really measure ROI in a level 1 shop?  Often a win to implement ANY process!  Misfire: My way must be the right way!

Story Telling Data

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 10 Story Telling Data Every Datum Tells a Story  Goal: To tell our marketing information in terms of data  You will lose the opinion pissing contests  Data is there to support the marketing  3 out of 4 doctors…  Doesn’t need to be numbers  Misfire: They will believe me because I say it is so

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 11 Story Telling Data What Data to Collect?  What data can you get your hands on?  Should be some relationship between the process you want to improve and the data that surrounds you  Estimate vs. Actual of anything!  Number of changes/re-definitions  Defect counts  Make it up  Misfire: Looking for killer data

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 12 Story Telling Data Presenting Unpopular Data  I’ve noticed…  Use cube walls, break rooms, project rooms, etc.  Status reports  Turn into stories  Bottom line, don’t use as a hammer, use as a feather  Misfire: I’ll use this data to prove you wrong

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 13 Story Telling Data Don’t Worry About Precision  Goal is to tell an accurate story, not necessarily a precise one  Accurate: I am between 3 and 7 feet tall  Precise: I am inches tall  Use the data to emphasize other points, not be the point  Misfire: The data needs to be perfect to be used

I Don't Know, Do You?

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 15 I Don’t Know, Do You? Management's ignorance  Management’s pride is typically in knowing big picture items  Never debate opinions  “Interesting, why then do you think that the data shows…”  Use a non-confrontational approach  , status reports, etc.  Misfire: My opinion is better than your opinion

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 16 I Don’t Know, Do You? Killer Questions  Establish a series of questions that have no known objective answer  Do you really know the status of your projects?  How many defects do we expect to be in the software?  How long does it take us to do design?  Misfire: I will take your word for it

Closing the Border

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 18 Closing the Border Your information needs  Have a clear, detailed understanding of the information you need to get your tasks done  Create checklists for input  A list of statements that needs to be true to proceed  Mark all those who fail “acceptance”: REWORK  Misfire: I will accept whatever is given me

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 19 Closing the Border Allies  Others impacted by poor suppliers  Testing is a great candidate (if not you!)  Assist them in creating “acceptance” checklists  Talk with their management  Remember: focus on their benefit  Misfire: I can do this alone

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 20 Closing the Border Warning!  This is not a license to be a jerk  Business success is the goal  Don’t engage in process-shifting  Can’t “Just say no”  But can say, “I will need to slide the ‘target’ to do rework”  Misfire: I don’t have to accept non-perfect work

The Living Dead

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 22 The Living Dead Using lessons learned  Create a corporate memory  End of projects  End of phases  End of deliverables  Knowing what you do now, rewind the clock and  What would you do the same  What would you do differently  Misfire: Not remembering our own past

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 23 The Living Dead Not in Vain  Every attempt is a push against the flywheel  Short term results are nice but not necessary  Evolving awareness  Marketing, marketing, marketing  Misfire: I give up 

construx software  consulting  training  software projects  construx.com 24 Contact Information Earl Beede (425)  Software Projects  Consulting/Coaching  Seminars Construx Delivering Software Project Success