About 20 years ago, I was heading home to California from NYC. I checked in at Kennedy Airport and headed for the American Airlines lounge. The lounge was almost empty and I settled into a seat on a sofa. Looking
Segregation in NYC Public Schools
In 1964, my family was part of an effort to reduce segregation in the New York City Public Schools. Today, the New York Times reflects on the history of NYC school segregation in, “Segregation Has Been the Story of New
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
Protected: Care for my Mom
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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