Hi all,
And welcome to a new week at www.implementingscrum.com; albeit to most Americans living in the USA it will be a short week here (July 4th is still July 4th everywhere else in the world!).
I need to do some quick research on the French connection since I got some comic strips translated recently where we can make some timely postings (smile). If not, maybe I’ll just make up some history.
That’ll be fun, since we all know whatever we read on the Internet MUST be true, RIGHT?
As most readers of my blog know, I spend a LOT of time on the road (planes, trains, and automobiles).
Right now I am scheduled for almost 20 more public appearances before the end of the year — not including the private clients I am working with (the majority of my work BTW) around the world.
While on a short [very bumpy] coast-to-coast flight today, a realization hit me.
Almost like, “Duh Mike.”
For me, sometimes things like this take time to fully understand.
It was there all the time for me to see. I have been living it without realizing this.
Much like this Scrum stuff we do or are thinking about doing.
On the plane today (and most other flights around the world) I usually spend some very focused time replying to emails that come in every day. And… as people who write me understand… if you send me an email eventually you will get a reply.
I am working on getting better with managing this inflow, so please do not stop.
Most of the replies I create let people know we can use the ‘time change’ to where ever I am in the world to our advantage when I am not home. Does this make sense?
So why is this so different than when I am really just, “Working from home in Richmond, VA?”
So what was the “Realization?”
I BUY time for myself every time I travel.
Think of it this way…
Today is a 27 hour day for me. I gained 3 hours by “going back in time.”
Wow.
Wait.
I know I did not REALLY do that.
But.
Got me thinking.
No matter where we are in the world, most of us thinks the rest of the world is on our time and schedules on a “regular” daily basis. Waking up, eating breakfast, doing the stuff we all do daily, eating dinner, and then going to sleep.”
The job (can we call it that?!) I have allows me to look at it from a MUCH different point of view.
And this is cool.
And has had a serious impact on how I have worked in the past.
Now that I have come to this realization, maybe in fact I will make some serious changes regarding “time” in the future.
Does this make any sense to you, dear reader?
It has had a tremendous impact on my psyche — today — as in WOW.
If there is no impact on you from this insight… keep your head to the grindstone and do what you do. Keep at it. That’s basically what almost everyone else in the world will do anyway.
Otherwise, let’s truly think how this little change on how we look at life and using time can truly change our world.
The world.
Wow.
Truly.
One person at a time.
For me, I will take that accountability and that very uncomfortable first step.
It’s something I work with teams to challenge them to do all the time — have uncomfortable conversations.
Now… It’s time to live that and take it up in my life a notch.
Does this make any sense?
I think, as usual, actions will speak louder than words.
Wanna join me?
I am starting today.
Inspect and Adapt.
Let’s see where it leads.
I am thinking some incredible things will come out of this.
Peace Out.
Thank you!
- mike vizdos
www.michaelvizdos.com
www.implementingscrum.com
p.s. And remember… If you or your friends [or enemies] have not signed up for FREE updates to this blog, please Subscribe to Implementing Scrum via Email!
Welcome back to yet another week at www.implementingscrum.com.
OK.
So what was I talking about a few nights ago with the cartoon posting above?
It really truly is not politically correct.
In no sense of any being.
But.
It is HIlarious to me.
Because it can help me make a point.
Actually tonight, eight points.
Eight Points.
Just for you.
How is that for a Thursday night or Friday morning?
Hmm.
Think about it this way.
You are arriving on “Fantasy Island” if you think…
1) You can stock the Product Backlog without a Product Owner present during Planning Poker
2) The definition of “Done” is not important to anyone
3) BurnDown Charts are useless, actually more useless of tracking tasks
4) The CSM Workshop is a waste of your time
5) You can pronounce the last name for
Ricardo
(c’mon Fantasy Island Buffs (or OK… is there even a “buff” reading this?))
6) Documentation is not needed on any agile projects
You can get a date with the “Hot” ScrumMaster replacement (smile) or Jessica Alba or with some hot babe with her Bottom Up.
9) This cartoon is about SCUBA Diving [strangely enough this is one of the most downloaded cartoon on this site)
…. OK.
Enough for now.
Man.
I can go on for a while.
But I think you get the picture.
What have I missed?
Now….
Do you see where you can spend a lot of time on Fantasy Island?
Do you want to leave it?
Really?
Why?
Gotta run! Please send comments, questions, criticisms, ideas, or whatever here.
You can also enter The Scrum Community to discuss this entry and other Scrum topics. Thank you!
May 29, 2008
Welcome back to yet another week at www.implementingscrum.com.
I am a bit worried about some of the things I am seeing out there.
Um.
The night before a Sprint Review meeting, I am seeing people stay late.
Uh.
Really late.
Like into the morning before the Sprint Review meeting.
Sometimes, it is minutes before.
Ug.
Oh no.
What does this remind you of?
What is wrong with that picture?
And what is right with the picture above?
Seriously folks.
Don’t kill Scrum this way.
Just go back to whatever you used to call it.
Really.
Or.
Look at what you are really doing.
Remember the objective of Scrum?
Working Software.
On one machine.
Real working software.
Not vaporware or conference-ware or some scripted bla bla bla.
Please.
Gotta run! Please send comments, questions, criticisms, ideas, or whatever here.
You can also enter The Scrum Community to discuss this entry and other Scrum topics. Thank you!
May 20, 2008
Welcome back to yet another week at www.implementingscrum.com.
I sincerely apologize for the lack of a new posting last week. Sometimes even I need to remind myself that I am human.
And.
The cartoon for this week really says it all.
Keep IT Simple Stupid.
In the past, I have seen the “KISS” stuff look like: “Keep it simple stupid” or “Keep it super simple” or many other variations.
Note the capitalization of “IT”?
That’s where you and I come in a lot of the times.
So.
Really.
Keep IT Simple Stupid.
I am not calling you stupid. If anything, this is a great reminder for “me” to not get stupid.
A few weeks ago I was with a client (actually doing the work thing, which I doooo actually “do”!) and they have been spending a lot of time planning for their agile rollout.
What is a lot of time?
This will vary.
Let’s just say it looked very much like a waterfall process — nothing near agile.
And I had to tell them this.
Will “they” listen?
Who knows.
But.
It was a great reminder to me that taking months and months planning for an agile rollout of more than ten teams at one time is not a good idea for people starting agile stuff.
What is my recommendation?
Get ready for “Captain Obvious.”
Start with one project.
Today.
Now.
And stop the planning game.
Really.
Get good at what you do.
And the only way to do this is to get started.
One project at a time.
Don’t worry about the enterprise rollout today when you have not started even one project.
Scary thought?
Yes.
Reality?
It does work.
Worry about the “enterprise” stuff later.
Start producing working software.
Today.
Think about it and challenge the way you currently do things today.
Results will vary, but all will surprise you.
Gotta run! Please send comments, questions, criticisms, ideas, or whatever here.
You can also enter The Scrum Community to discuss this entry and other Scrum topics. Thank you!
May 6, 2008
Hi all.
The topic this week is about keeping things simple.
And picking one thing at a time and doing it well.
Very well.
Tonight I am writing a little bit about it.
Let’s see if I can actually get the comic strip up tomorrow (when I make my drive over to Portland, Maine).
You’ll see.
Hmmm…
As complicated as this week seems to me and you.
There is always a simple solution.
Really.
- mike vizdos
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