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Spreadsheet Sprints: Fastest Way to Test-Drive Agile

Spreadsheet sprinting is an easy and cost-effective way to get started with Agile. Too often, Agile adoption involves learning new terminology, tools and methods. Spreadsheet sprinting bypasses the learning curve and enables immediate focus on priorities, goals and tasks. In

Ditch the slides and use placemats instead

When you present slides in meetings, you know it’s difficult to keep audiences engaged and happy. Not surprising because slide presentations are structured, sequential and always stretch at least 30 minutes. Stakeholders are overbooked, rushed and stressed. People want immediate

Leveraging Swimlanes to reach the Next Key Stage

Swimlanes provide a good model for focusing efforts in groups trying to reach the Next Key Stage. In my work with startup ventures, I encourage management teams to develop a list of swimlanes. Each swimlane encapsulates effort for driving to

At Home in Flushing, Queens, New York City

I’m at my desk in Flushing Queens New York. In the States for the first time in 6 months. Been gone long enough that everything’s different. It’s my original home, so I reacquaint quickly and now it all looks the

MVP Spreadsheet: Easy Tool for Gliding into Agile

Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a key ingredient of Agile. MVP is a product with just enough features to satisfy early customers, and to provide feedback for future product development. Teams can easily sprint with an MVP Spreadsheet using familiar tools

Origins of Agile Agile

I first experienced Agile methodology at Flip (acquired by Cisco) in 2008. I was a follower. We hired a new engineering director who insisted on Agile. I was skeptical but soon converted. With Agile, our organization of 200 people immediately

Dear Mr. Dylan – open letter to Bob Dylan

Dear Mr. Dylan – You changed my life. I am disappointed today. There, I said it. The Nobel Prize Committee showed vision and courage when they awarded you the Nobel Prize for Literature this year. This is the first time

I still like the truth. Post-truth is not for me.

The Oxford Dictionaries “word of the year” is post-truth. Irritating. This is a gift from Donald Trump who ran a post-truth campaign, but the origin goes back further. George W. Bush was known to repeat incorrect statements until they were perceived

A Week in September

My Mom and I are staying at her house in Flushing, Queens. We’re waiting for my UK Settlement Visa to issue and taking in all that New York has to offer. Highlights of this week. The Mets. Last Sunday we

This is Chapter 3

In late 2014 my family started the serious discussion of moving to London. 1.75 years later we’ve made a lot of changes and started a new chapter in our lives. What an amazing ride. In late 2014 my family started