Feature Factories are dangerous things. You might even work in one and don't realize it yet. Here's a test: if your team built something 6 months ago and you've no idea if anyone is using it, or if anyone even finds it valuable, you may well work in a Feature Factory. If a new hotel … Continue reading Want to write better user stories? Stop using “can”.
Category: Agile
Software estimation is your most costly activity. Why not reduce it?
If your first reaction to this article's title was to think of other activities in software that are more expensive than estimation, that's ok! There are probably plenty of expensive things you are doing like sending large bags of money to AWS each month. However, the title says "most costly" and not "most expensive". Estimation … Continue reading Software estimation is your most costly activity. Why not reduce it?
Three Terms in Software That We Should Consider Retiring
There are some terms in common use in the software industry that, while originally well-intentioned, have since become damaging rather than useful. "Sprint" Sprints were originally meant to create some focused time for engineers to give them space for concentration and deep work. They are only supposed to happen periodically, and in between less intense … Continue reading Three Terms in Software That We Should Consider Retiring
UX, Then Architecture, Then Tools
Imagine you are building your dream house. Would you trust a general contractor who talks like this? First, we're going to pick out the material for the kitchen counter and the glass for the windows. Let's just guess the amounts of each to buy for now. Then we've got to buy some of that new … Continue reading UX, Then Architecture, Then Tools
More Than Coding 