Larry Apke - A Leader in Software Development, Agile Coach, and Nonprofit Leader in Training and Workforce Development.

“We Can’t Find Good People” Myth and the Rise of Trump and Sanders

By Larry Apke

Companies complaining that they cannot find good people, so much so that they have to go outside to United States through programs like H1B (or worse yet, ship work completely offshore), while there are over 200 people actively looking for work. There are so many good people looking for work that there is a waiting list to enroll in a program that helps them to find work. Hate to veer to political, but if anyone is still mystified by the Trump and Sanders “phenomenon” they should look no further than a ProMatch meeting in Silicon Valley!

Backlog, Blog, General, General Agile, Leadership

Will Your Development Practices Shield You From Malpractice?

By Larry Apke

Perhaps malpractice litigation will not affect the realm of software development as I anticipate, but that does not mean it is not appropriate. In some cases, people who with authority to make decisions regarding software development show a willful ignorance of the nature of software development. I believe their behavior is not only detrimental to the production of quality software and the satisfaction of customers and employees alike, but certainly borders on the realm of malpractice.

General Agile, Scrum

Maybe It’s Time to Stop Using the Word "Sprint"

By Larry Apke

There is an Agile principle which states, “Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely”. It has become obvious to me, the word “sprint”, which, although it may have a specific meaning in scrum, generally is understood to mean “an act or short spell of running at full speed.”

Agile Coaching, Agile Transitioning, Blog, General Agile, SAFe

Cooks, Chefs and Agile Scaling Models

By Larry Apke

I am often reminded of the difference between a cook and a chef in my agile practice. I have used this story numerous times with developers to explain agile development practices. Like me, it seems that some developers will always be cooks. While there are some who don’t know the difference, I have even run into some that prefer to be cooks instead of chefs. Not that there is anything wrong with choosing to be a cook, but it helps when one is aware of the choice and makes a conscious decision to be one.

Blog, General, Leadership

Yahoo! – Some Thoughts on Regaining Former Glory

By Larry Apke

My topic this week is the fall of a company I (still) have a great deal of affection for, one that I continue to support. To me this company “was” the internet and their rise and past prominence represented what was best of Silicon Valley. More troubling is their subsequent lack of direction and downfall represents what can be thought of as the worst of Silicon Valley. I am not the first (and will not be the last) to weigh in on the tragedy that goes by the name of Yahoo!

Agile Coaching, Agile Management, Agile Transitioning, General Agile

Hit Rock Bottom? Maybe Now You’re Ready for Agile

By Larry Apke

So when my friend mentioned that a good indicator for agile transformation success was a company had hit rock bottom I knew exactly what he was referring to. In this particular case he used the examples of the FBI Sentinel Project and Healthcare.gov website debacle. In both cases, it wasn’t until each was a total disaster that Agile was actually tried with any seriousness and rigor and in both cases the results were amazing.

Agile Coaching, Agile Transitioning, Blog, General, General Agile

The 3Ps of Agile Software Development

By Larry Apke

I am often faced with explaining the various aspects of Agile to people new to Agile and I have come up with a very simple way to remember (and explain) Agile. I present to you now the “3Ps of Agile Software Development” with the hope you find this useful to your own understanding and an aid in your ability to explain Agile to others.

Agile Team, Blog, Scrum

You Have a Friend – Another Reason Scrum Works?

By Larry Apke

Scrum teams that work are small, co-located, dedicated, stable and cross-functional. These elements are essential in working in the complex world of software development. Recently, I stumbled across another reason that may explain the gains found on proper scrum teams – friendships.

Agile Coaching, Agile Team, Agile Transitioning, General Agile, Leadership, Scrum

Project Manager/Scrum Master: A Cry for Agile Help

By Larry Apke

This particular problem manifests when a company desires the potential benefits of Scrum without really understanding Scrum. Without a good understanding, people attempt to map their existing roles with those of Scrum. Let me make one thing perfectly clear. The role of Scrum Master is unique to Scrum and any attempt to map it to existing roles will only result in confusion, frustration and less than optimal outcomes.

Agile Development, Agile Management, General Agile, Scrum

The Most Important (and Least Understood) Software Development Fact

By Larry Apke

Facts and Fallacies of Software Development Book

If we want to create better software we would be well to head Glass’ fact. We need to stop treating software development like we are building a house or assembling a car. Software is much too complex to be built using the tired old mechanistic means. Remember that as complexity of the problem increases, the complexity of the solution increases at a much higher rate, along with the risks attendant on increased complexity.