Best Agile Podcasts (2024)

1
Learning From Data, A Conversation With Kirk Marple, SPaMCAST 823 32:36

1d ago32:36

32:36

The introduction and outro words are abbreviated this week. I will regale you with the tale of the Avon Lake Toronado next. Now I need to find a way of making everything work without electricity and the Internet. I am not sure which is making me crazier. The SPaMCAST 823 features a discussion with Kirk Marple, Technical Founder and CEO at Graphit, …

1
Urgency Versus Importance - Which Drives Your Work, Teams And Why We Need Them, Conversations with Jeremy Willets and Jeremy Berriault, SPaMCAST 822 34:42

9d ago34:42

34:42

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 822 features a discussion that and I had during the Work Intake Summer Camp. The tyranny of the urgent often eclipses work that is merely important. Not understanding the difference between the two concepts and the long-term implications of ignoring what is important can be catastrophic. We will also have a…

1
Building A Business And A Leader, An Interview With Alex Natskovich, SPaMCAST 821 39:45

16d ago39:45

39:45

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 821 features our interview with Alex Natskovich. We talk about the attributes of a leader when building a business but even more importantly learning to be a leader. Success requires knowing how to handle the transitions. Alex’s Bio Alex is a seasoned engineering leader and CEO. Born in Belarus, he harbored…

1
Baselining Ideas for Improvement, Who Is Most Important, Essays and Conversations with Susan Parente, SPaMCAST 820 32:03

23d ago32:03

32:03

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 820 continues the story of Innovatech. In this installment, Emma “sells” baselining the flow to generate ideas for improvement and a starting point. The story of Innovatech is an allegory for how a data-driven improvement initiative can be bootstrapped with courage and perseverance. We also have a visit fro…

1
Navigating Customer Data - Insights from Rudderstack's CEO, Soumyadeb Mitra, SPaMCAST 819 37:11

29d ago37:11

37:11

The Sofware Process and Measurement Cast 819 features our conversation with Soumyadeb Mitra, Founder and CEO of Rudderstack. We discuss the trials and tribulations of consolidating and effectively using customer data. Tools like machine learning and generative AI make generating insights easier but “easier” does not mean easy. We also discuss entre…

1
The Tale of Innovatech, Starting Over, Essays and Conversations with Keis Kostaqi, SPaMCAST 818 20:04

1M ago20:04

20:04

This week we continue with the story of Innovatech, the business novella David Herron and I are writing. Innovatech, the once a tech darling is struggling. The delivery of new functionality used to be so easy. Now it isn’t, leading to all sorts of unproductive behaviors. Emma, the Director of Residential Construction Technology Products, leads a on…

1
AI and Agents In The Workplace, Oh My, A Conversation With Artem Koren, SPaMCAST 817 35:55

2M ago35:55

35:55

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 817 features our conversation with Artem Koren, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Sembly AI. We talk about AI, the role of AI, and the impact of agents on the workplace. Artem Koren grew up in New York City. He graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Computer Science and later attended the…

1
Goal Conflicts Cause Work Intake Problems, Finding Time To Concentrate, Conversations with Jeremy Willets and Jon M Quigley, SPaMCAST 816 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

A funny thing happened on the way to SPaMCAST 816, I had so much fun during our first Summer Camp session I talked Jeremy into letting me share the audio of our discussion on the podcast. We discussed goal conflicts, the first of eight work intake problems, from our book, Mastering Work Intake. If the video is more your style check out the video on…

1
Mastering Work Intake Summer Camp! 2:43

2M ago2:43

2:43

Earlier this year (JRoss Publishing) co-authored by Jeremy Willets and myself was published. The book focuses on the full pipeline that work follows as it enters and exits your organization, including the different types of work that enter at multiple levels and times. It is a must-read for agile coaches, Scrum Masters, product owners, project and …

1
Prioritization and Deep Seated Issues, A Conversation With Jim Benson, Replay, SPaMCAST 814 40:27

2M ago40:27

40:27

This week on the Software Process and Measurement Cast we have a replay of an interview of Jim Benson from 2019. Jim and I focused on prioritization and how prioritization can be a reflection of more deep-seated problems. One of the ideas Jim shares is that processes are the social contract for getting work done. In the foreword of Mastering Work I…

1
Accountability and Responsibility Are Intertwined, Why Are There Still Testers, Essays and Conversations, SPaMCAST 813 17:35

2M ago17:35

17:35

Accountability and responsibility are intertwined. In most businesses, the concepts are intertwined, and when hierarchies are present, layered. In other words, determining who is responsible and accountable is harder than deciding how many layers were in the seven-layer dip several hours after it has been served to a hungry softball team. Let’s use…

1
Professionalize ML and AI, A Conversation With Brad Micklea, SPaMCAST 812 43:00

2M ago43:00

43:00

In this week’s SPaMCAST we speak with Brad Micklea, Founder & CEO of Jozu. We talk about the professionalization of AI and Machine Learning, the topic of Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), and why agile is integral to getting work done. Brad is the Founder & CEO of Jozu and a project lead for the open-source Kitops.ml project, a toolset designed …

1
Committees to Dodge Responsibility, Certifications, Essays and Conversations, SPaMCAST 811 30:23

3M ago30:23

30:23

When I published Accountability vs. Responsibility I did not anticipate being drawn back into the discussion of whether committees can be accountable and responsible. Over the last few weeks, I have observed several “product meetings.” In these meetings, consensus decisions are being made about releases, what they will contain, and a marketing appr…

1
Making The World A Better Place, A Conversation with D.J. Eshelman, SPaMCAST 810 49:08

3M ago49:08

49:08

SPaMCAST 810 features our interview with D.J. Eshelman, author of . DJ and I cover a wide range of topics including why one size fits all approaches are a prescription for burnout. We also tackle why everyone should invest in an outside mentor. D.J. Eshelman, author of Just Do THIS - Photo Credit Sarah Goff DJ with over 25 years of IT experience, d…

1
Accountability vs. Responsibility Debate, Essays and Conversations w Jon M Quigley, SPaMCAST 809 25:30

3M ago25:30

25:30

SPaMCAST 809 features our essay discussing whether accountability and responsibility are ever separated in real life. In a corporate setting, if you are interested in instigating a no-holds-barred debate bring up the topic of the relationship between accountability and responsibility. Get your popcorn ready BEFORE you start the discussion. We will …

1
Design Thinking, A Conversation with Steven Schkolne, SPaMCAST 808 38:12

3M ago38:12

38:12

SPaMCAST 808 features our discussion with Steven Schkolne. We talk about design thinking and about how design thinking impacts users and user satisfaction. We answer what happens when a design thinker builds a business. Steven Schkolne is a computer scientist, designer, and entrepreneur who’s particularly passionate about the way humans work creati…

1
Work Intake Nuances in Mid-Management, Seamless Communications, Essays and Conversation w/ Jeremy Berriult - SPaMCAST 807 20:58

4M ago20:58

20:58

SPaMCAST 807 looks at the Nine Core Work Intake Principles from the organization’s middle. Each layer of the organization has an approach to work intake. While the macro outcome is the same for each layer – work is accepted – each has nuances. The simple three-tier view of organization design used in Mastering Work Intake begins with an executive l…

1
Why Write Mastering Work Intake? 4:23

4M ago4:23

4:23

Why write Mastering Work Intake? Because Jeremy Willets and decided maybe things could be different. That just chanting “stop starting and stop finishing” wasn’t enough. Our book provides the reader with ideas, principles, actionable advice, worksheets, and examples to help you tame the chaos of work entry. If you had the world enough and time mayb…

1
Craft and Defend Organizational Culture, An Interview with Peter Schroeder, SPaMCAST 805 33:05

4M ago33:05

33:05

SPaMCAST 805 features our interview with Peter Schroeder. We discuss plane crashes, fatherhood, and the journey from DJ to a technologist and then to a business person. Organizational culture is critical in all organizations, double in distributed environments. Peter discusses how he learned to craft and defend organizational culture. Peter Schroed…

1
Applying The Nine Core Principles of Work Intake and Why Organizations Do Projects with Susan Parente, SPaMCAST 804 33:47

4M ago33:47

33:47

The Nine Core Principles of Work Intake are a key backbone of Mastering Work Intake by Jeremy Willets and Tom Cagley. Teams and organizations need to apply these principles to avoid chaos. In the SPaMCAST 804, we illustrate the application of the Nine Core Principles based on role and organizational hierarchy beginning with the classic Scrum team r…

1
Mastering Work Intake - What is Work Intake? 1:49

4M ago1:49

1:49

Our video provides a quick overview of Work Intake and its importance. Enjoy and let's discuss the concept. Learn to solve IT’s dirtiest secret — work intake. Stop ignoring it. Start fixing it. Today we are also announcing two new Mastering Work Intake training opportunities. Diagnose and solve work intake anti-patterns Become a work intake master.…

1
Time For Agile To Buy Mom or Dad Jeans? A Conversation with Mark Metze, Jeremy WIllets, and Tom Cagley, SPaMCAST 802 43:54

4M ago43:54

43:54

The SPaMCAST 802 features a panel discussion. Mark Metze, Jeremy Willets, and myself. discuss “Is agile still a movement or has it reached middle age?” We weigh the appropriateness of wailing and gnashing of teeth, hand wringing and sullen withdrawal, or pragmatism and philosophy. In the end perhaps the right answer is to buy a pair of mom or dad j…

1
Winning Without Focus, Myth Debunked and Soft Skills Are Hard - SPaMCAST 801 with Kies Kostaqi 22:02

5M ago22:02

22:02

The SPaMCAST 801 will examine the question, “When is not having clear priorities a winning strategy?” While the answer might seem self-evident, I am not sure people and organizations put their money where their mouth is. We also have Kies Kostaqi’s You Are Not Alone column. This installment highlights the soft skills required to be an effective Scr…

1
Mastering Work Intake - Principles Matter, A Conversation with Johanna Rothman, Jeremy Willets, and Tom Cagley - SPaMCAST 800 56:36

5M ago56:36

56:36

In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 800 Johanna Rothman takes over the podcast and interviews Jeremy Willets and me. We discussed , why principles make more sense than best practices, and how disciplined work intake is the core to getting work done. We learn that in practice, stop starting and start finishing only works when you pay attent…

1
Beyond Buzzwords - Rethinking Collaboration in Software Development and Prioritization vs. Micromanagement - Finding the Right Balance - SPaMCAST 799 22:42

5M ago22:42

22:42

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 799 discusses why all communication is not collaboration. It is a commonly held belief that complex problems require collaborative efforts to solve. Couple that with an almost fad-like insistence that if a little collaboration is good, more is better, which leads to everything being deemed collaboration. We…

1
Exploring the Power of Nearshore Software Development and Uplifting Organizational Culture An Interview with Steve Taplin, SPaMCAST 798 33:52

5M ago33:52

33:52

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 798 features my interview with Steve Taplin of Sonatafy Technology. Steve and I discussed the nuances and benefits of nearshore software development. Steve also provided his thoughts on why building an uplifting culture both inside and outside the organization reaps powerful rewards for everyone it touches.…

1
Unraveling the Paradox of Process, QAs As Servants, Essays and Conversations SPaMCAST 797 17:33

6M ago17:33

17:33

In the Software Process and Measurement Cast 797 we ponder a statement from Roger Turnau in SPaMCAST 796, “You can’t expect the process to save you from yourself in every circumstance.” The statement poses a leadership quandary leading to questions every leader must ask. When does process guidance make sense? When do processes infantilize teams and…

1
Roger Turnau - Taming the Backlog with Cost of Delay, A Conversation, SPaMCAST 796 40:49

6M ago40:49

40:49

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 796 features a conversation with Roger Turnau. Roger and I talk about prioritization using the cost of delay. Every organization and team I have ever worked with has a backlog of work and lots of people screaming that their piece of the backlog is the most important. The cost of delay is an important tool t…

1
Jargon - Bridging Bonds or Building Barriers, Essays and Conversations 26:46

6M ago26:46

26:46

Part of every profession is the jargon practitioners adopt. Having a language links people together and creates a sense of community. It also creates private gardens: a profession set off from those around it. Jargon is a form of secret handshake. Jargon is a two-edged sword, both gathering and excluding people. Be wary! We also have a visit from S…

1
Data Engineering, AI, Entrepreneurship - Unveiling 2024's Tech Horizons, A Conversation With Nick Schrock - SPaMCAST 794 32:02

6M ago32:02

32:02

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 794 features our conversation with Nick Schrock. Nick and I discussed data engineering, AI, and entrepreneurship. As the Founder at Dagster Labs, Nick has the perfect standing to talk about three of the hottest topics of 2024. Nick’s Bio: Nick is the Founder and CTO of Dagster Labs, the company behind Dagst…

1
Stop Project Chaos: The Ultimate Guide to Predictable Work Intake 4:52

6M ago4:52

4:52

Feeling overwhelmed by endless tasks and unpredictable deadlines? You're not alone. But what if you could transform your project into a well-oiled machine, delivering consistent value on time? Introducing Mastering Work Intake: From Chaos to Predictable Delivery. Ditch the black hole of endless requests. Discover practical strategies for capturing,…

1
SPaMCAST 793 - Value Streams Analysis, Work Intake, Who Can Be A Scrum Master, Essays and Conversations 21:54

6M ago21:54

21:54

As you would suspect, I have recently been talking up Mastering Work Intake which Jeremy Willets and I co-authored. One conversation turned to the topic of whether value stream analysis was useful in controlling work intake. The simple answer is YES across the whole value stream and up and down the hierarchy. We will also have a visit from Kies Kos…

1
SPaMCAST Special - Nine Core Work Entry Principles 4:37

7M ago4:37

4:37

by Thomas M Cagley Jr and Jeremy Willets, gives you the tools to prioritize and deliver the right work at the right time. The book is on the shelves today! One of the topics covered in the book 9 Core Principles of Work Intake. Today’s audio promo describes the 9 principles to promote both the book and our cohort-based workshop. To whet your whistl…

1
SPaMCAST 792 - Deliver Better Results, A Conversation With Gill Broza 39:33

7M ago39:33

39:33

Happy Birthday to the Software Process and Measurement Cast. Today we begin year 18 with our interview with Gil Broza. Gill and I discussed his new book, Deliver Better Results: How to Unlock Your Organization’s Potential. The book is available NOW! I am excited by the ideas in the book and I think you will be also. If you are involved in improving…

1
SPaMCAST 791 - We've Gone A Little Crazy, A Conversation With Vinnie Gill 41:04

7M ago41:04

41:04

With SPaMCAST 791 we complete Year 17 with our interview with Vinnie GIl. Vinnie and I talked about conferences and staying connected with the Agile Community. One of the topics we covered was the value of conferences and meetups to the community and individuals—a great way to complete year 17. Vinnie puts people and culture first. She enjoys conne…

1
SPaMCAST 790 - It’s All About The People, A Conversation With Stefan Wolpers 36:27

7M ago36:27

36:27

SPaMCAST 790 features our interview with Stefan Wolpers. Stefan and I talked about the Scrum Master's role in the 21st Century, his new book The Scrum Anti-Patterns Guide (), and remembering that it's all about people. Stefan’s Bio: Embarking on a Scrum career unintentionally in 2006, Stefan was initiated as a Scrum Master for a small German startu…

1
SPaMCAST 789 - Fluffing Capacity Limits, Sales Engineers, Essays and Conversations 26:06

7M ago26:06

26:06

As a coach and mentor, I often observe meetings and events so I can debrief with the person(s) I am coaching afterward and provide them with a different perspective. I was involved in observing a planning session in which a stakeholder stated, “Combine these two items, they are similar, and only count it as one toward our capacity.” What? We also h…

1
SPaMCAST 788 - SPaMCAST Annual Panel, Fun and Frivolity 59:37

8M ago59:37

59:37

SPaMCAST 788 is our annual SPaMCAST panel featuring most of the podcast regulars including: Jeremy Berriault, Keis Kostaqi, Jon M. Quigley, Jeremy Willets, and Tom Cagley appears in the ringmaster role. Tony Timbol and Susan Parente, regular contributors, were unable to join and we missed them (this time of year is busy). Maybe I should do the annu…

1
SPaMCAST 787 - The Impact Of Starting Too Much Work, Everyone Has Book In Them, Essays and Conversations 29:52

8M ago29:52

29:52

This week we continue in the minefield of why starting everything you are asked to do is problematic that we began in SPaMCAST 785. Framing the discussion is a text from a friend of the cast which highlights those requests that you just can’t say no to. Lots of rationalizations and negative impacts. We will also have a visit from Susan Parente and …

1
SPaMCAST 786 - Use AI or Live Under A Bridge, A Conversation with Kevin Surace 40:37

8M ago40:37

40:37

Software Process and Measurement Cast 784 features our conversation with Kevin Surace. Kevin is an AI Inventor, Futurist, and Keynote Speaker. We talk about the hype and promise of AI and whether you can ignore using AI in the workplace. My synopsis, embrace AI or live under a bridge. That might be a bit of hyperbole but if you lived through the PC…

1
SPaMCAST 785 - Saying Yes to All Work, Root Causes, Essays and Conversations 22:22

8M ago22:22

22:22

I was asked, “Why shouldn’t I say yes and start everything that comes my way?” As we celebrate the impending publication of (it is going to the printers very soon) we continue the discussion of work intake scenarios that bedevil teams and organizations. Controlling work entry is controlling WIP which helps us be our best selves. But are there times…

1
SPaMCAST 784 - Agile Best Self, A Conversation With Michaele Gardner and Brian Hackerson 46:59

9M ago46:59

46:59

Software Process and Measurement Cast 784 features our interview with Michaele Gardner and Brian Hackerson. We talk about their Agile Best Self Initiative. We also, and perhaps more importantly, discuss being in control of yourself so you can truly deliver value to those around you. As we start to close out 2023 it is a wonderful opportunity to ref…

1
SPaMCAST 783 - Are You Authorized, Growth, Essays and Conversations 27:25

9M ago27:25

27:25

Software Process and Measurement Cast 783 tackles a classic work intake problem, “Do you have the authority to ask for this work?” Work input processes need to vet more than just requirements. We also have a visit from Jon M Quigley. Jon and I discussed taking control of your personal growth. It is not your organization's responsibility. Re-Read Sa…

1
SPaMCAST 782 - Data Transformations, A Conversation With Govind Balu 40:01

9M ago40:01

40:01

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 782 features our conversation with Govind Balu on the importance of data and the concept of data transformations. Data represents the gold rush of the 21st Century! Govind Balu is a visionary entrepreneur and experienced executive with a strong background in leveraging data and AI to drive business growth a…

1
SPaMCAST 781 - Micromanagement, You Are Not Alone, Essays and Conversations 21:00

9M ago21:00

21:00

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 781 begins with a discussion of prioritization and sequencing. These two ideas often get conflated. Work might be important but if it has predecessors and successors it will require sequencing. You can’t deploy a new piece of hardware unless you have it. The acquisition of the equipment comes before deploym…

1
SPaMCAST 780 - Business Analysis Critical For Agile, A Conversation With Billie Johnson 39:17

10M ago39:17

39:17

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 780 features our interview with Billie Johnson. Our discussion focuses on the role of delivering outcomes and values using agile teams. We also discussed her book, which she co-authored with Kelley Burns. Re-Read Saturday News The improve play is one of the most powerful aspects of Marquet’s suggested frame…

1
SPaMCAST 779 - Prioritization Can Be Micromanagement, Power Of Sabbaticals, Essays and Conversations 26:26

10M ago26:26

26:26

Software Process and Measurement Cast 779 wrestles with the question, When prioritization involves overly detailed or excessive control over how someone accomplishes their tasks or when it impedes an employee's ability to make their own decisions it becomes micromanagement. Let's explore and look for a path to healing. We will also have a visit fro…

1
SPaMCAST 778 - Charting A New Odyssey, A Conversation With Bill Fox 34:45

10M ago34:45

34:45

The Software Process and Measurement Cast 778 marks our return from Iceland. WICKED trip, great country, great people! We return with our interview with Bill Fox. Bill and I discussed his new book, , transformation, dialog, listening, and leadership. The many conversations Bill and I have had over the years leave me in a better place. Bill states, …

1
SPaMCAST 777 - Re-release SPaMCAST 486 - Daniel S Vacanti, Actionable Agile Metrics 43:10

10M ago43:10

43:10

This week we are on our annual holiday. We are toiling away editing audio and doing voice exercises to bring you new and exciting content and will be back next week! In the SPaMCAST 777 we re-release SPaMCAST 486 - Daniel S Vacanti, Actionable Agile Metrics. The idea of flow metrics has fundamentally changed my perspective on how to use metrics. I …

1
SPaMCAST 776 - Re-release SPaMCAST 641 - The Agile Coaching Code of Ethics, A Conversation With Shane Hastie and Craig Smith 41:34

10M ago41:34

41:34

We are on our annual holiday and will return with new programs on October 22nd. This week in the SPaMCAST 776 from our archives we feature SPaMCAST 641 - The Agile Coaching Code of Ethics, A Conversation With Shane Hastie and Craig Smith. The show was originally aired on March 7, 2021. I still think the ethics initiative is one of the most importan…

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