Category Archives: listening

Suburban Cowboy Chapter One

This is my first attempt at recording a chapter from the StoryWorth book that Kevin gave me as a gift subscription over one year ago. Every week (on Monday) I would get an email from StoryWorth with a topic that I could write about and send back my stories. As it turned out, I wroteContinue reading “Suburban Cowboy Chapter One”

Job Seeker Podcast 001

The original test to see if a OneNote Shared Link can be played from a wordpress blog has been removed. This recording, below, is from 2010 so there are some references that are dated, however: Thank you for listening. I intend to post more Job Seeker audio content in the coming weeks. For questions orContinue reading “Job Seeker Podcast 001”

Great Interviewee Questions

Ever thought about what you might want to ask when given the opportunity?  Try this article out: http://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/5-questions-great-job-candidates-ask-interviewers.html The questions included in there (just in case the link has been removed or change since 2012): What do you expect me to accomplish in the first 60 – 90 days? What are the common attributes ofContinue reading “Great Interviewee Questions”

Hello World! Thank You, World!

I’ve been writing random and sometimes organized thoughts in this blog for quite a while now and I just took a closer look at the statistics of people who have read my stuff. So, I want to Thank every one of you who have read my materials and I hope that you all continue toContinue reading “Hello World! Thank You, World!”

Swim Lane Diagrams

Since when did Swim Lane Diagrams take the place of more rigorous Software Engineering Requirements gathering models like: Process Models, Data Relationship Models, State Transition Diagrams, Use Cases and Event Models? I’ve been managing several smaller projects lately and if they have any kind of Analysis efforts and documented Requirements, they are only represented inContinue reading “Swim Lane Diagrams”

Starting your own PMO

If your organization does not have a PMO or has one that has been disappointing in its benefits, then this discussion may be for you! I have an opinion that there are “Five ‘P’s in PMO”: Project, Program, Portfolio, Process, and People.  Others don’t necessarily agree with me but then they are not writing THISContinue reading “Starting your own PMO”

Project in Recovery (not THAT Recovery!)

When a project has been close to failure and shut down is not an option then my repetitive approach to resolving the remaining issues usually goes something like this: Agree on the Recovery Project Charter Scope Objectives Budget Staff List of Open Risks, Issues, Change Request (preferably these lists will be placed in Recovery ProjectContinue reading “Project in Recovery (not THAT Recovery!)”

Project in Trouble?

Despite all of our best efforts, some projects end up in trouble and they need to be ‘saved’ or ‘shut down’! Making the ‘shut down’ decision is very difficult but must be considered once a project that is in trouble is identified.  Some of the questions I have used in the past to determine whetherContinue reading “Project in Trouble?”

What Users Say Translated to Software Engineering!

I need a report that shows me how much I spent yesterday! Not an atypical ‘requirement’ from a business users’ point of view, huh?  What do you as a Software Engineer DO with this and similar statements? Let’s start with a couple of questions that we can use to expand and clarify on a statementContinue reading “What Users Say Translated to Software Engineering!”