• Agile Principle #1 – Highest Priority To Deliver Delight

    Posted on by Tim

    Part 1 in a 12-part series. This post covers continuous delivery.

    The first principle;

    Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software.

    Principles behind the Agile Manifesto

    For this series, think of software as products and services. Customers will not pay for crappy products and services, unless they perceive value.

    That might come as a shock.

    Allow me to provide a comparison. One of the first cars I was allowed to drive is shown below.

    Toyota Tercel Wagon

    One of the first cars I chose to buy is also shown below.

    Buick Regal Coupe

    For me, the better value was the Buick. It didn’t matter that the Toyota was a better quality product. At 16 to 17 years-old, I wanted a car that girls would ride in!

    Deliver Continuous Value

    Let’s redefine the conversation to cover more than just software. I suggest that we look at products and services based on value. Customers care about value and we have to as well.

    How do we get to continuous delivery of value? Look at Agile Value #1; Individuals and Interactions.

    First, we talk with customers and get their thoughts on value. Next, we create a small sample of what we understand from the conversation. If the sample doesn’t match the customers understanding, we fix it until we get is right. Finally, we adjust and scale to a viable product and service customers will buy based on value.

    Yeah, this is a simplified process. No disagreement on that feedback.

    What matters is the continuous delivery. Conditions will change. Preferences will change. As long as discussions are frequently happening with customers, we can deliver value and adjust as needed.

    This principle is uncomfortable to accept. I struggle with it because I want our team’s products and services to be perfect. The work done doesn’t need to be perfect, just have value the customer pays for.

    Principle 1, Principle 2, Principle 3, Principle 4, Principle 5, Principle 6, Principle 7, Principle 8, Principle 9, Principle 10, Principle 11, Principle 12


    📂This entry was posted in Agile 📎and tagged

  • Agile Value #1 – People And Tools

    Posted on by Tim

    Part 1 in a 4 part series. This post covers communication and collaboration.

    To start 2022 off right, I’m writing a series on the Manifesto for Agile Software Development. Given that the Manifesto is quickly reaching 21-years-old, I wanted to cover my learning and reflection on its impact.

    Two disclosures:

    1. I am not a software developer
    2. When this was published, I thought it was a fad

    The first value;

    Individuals and interactions over processes and tools

    Manifesto for Agile Software Development

    Communication and collaboration. Keys to positive and productive human interaction. For each of us, this takes on different meaning depending on the context of the interaction.

    As I wrote in my first post of the year, tools don’t fix problems. People fix problems. The Manifesto signers understood this in the context of software development.

    And yet, this also applies to other pursuits as well.

    If a team doesn’t know what the problem is, let alone how it might be solved, do processes and tools matter?

    For me, the answer is a simple ‘no.’ No, processes and tools alone will not identify the problem. I am writing from experience.

    If I have a bent nail I need to remove from a wood board, would I use a screw driver to fix the problem? No, I would need to find a claw-head hammer to remove the bent nail.

    Houston, we have a problem (communication and collaboration)

    Stepping back, if the financial health of my company is failing, do I know what the points of cause are for the problem? Maybe, maybe not, it depends. Discovery is required to figure out what may be cause the money loss.

    Can a tool determine the cause, not knowing what the problem is?

    Can a process define the problem?

    Simply answered, no. It takes bright, talented people working together (individuals and interactions) to define the problem. Then those same people set out to solve the problem.

    In life, there is no certainty from one day to the next day. It’s time to embrace the uncertainty and get down to working on today’s problems.

    The key is using communication and collaboration to solve the right problems.

    Value 1, Value 2, Value 3, Value 4


    📂This entry was posted in Agile 📎and tagged

  • No More Rainbows, Unicorns, Pixie Dust, And Wishful Thinking

    Posted on by Tim

    Technology will not fix problems. Problems come from processes or human relationships.

    I’m a recovering, well sort of recovering, tech geek. I see a new software tool or some tech hardware and I immediately start thinking I need it to make life better or easier. Over time, I’ve learned that it is a fallacy to believe this and it brings more challenges.

    How many times have you seen a new software or hardware tool get rolled out at work? One, two, three, or more times?

    Did that tool work flawlessly right from the start?

    If you answered honestly, you may have seen more sputtering starts to new tool adoption than zooming success. Blame the quick reference guides, the supporting instructions, the operating documents or whatever.

    A pile of satellite dish receivers and wiring
    Cleaning up a technology mess

    It’s time to stop blaming objects and start asking curious and honest questions.

    • Have we considered all the different ways the work might be done?
    • Have we asked for the HR department to work with us to understand how they do their work today?
    • What might we learn from watching Gemma, Mary, Ravi, and Ivan working together?

    As a technologist, I am scared when I consider the answers these questions might show.

    As a result, I am not foolish or naïve enough to believe anything can be fixed overnight. In fact, I’m reminded that Rome was not built in a day, a month, a year, or even a decade. Rome was built over 100s of years to what it is today.

    With that written, I’m going to get back to the opening. Again, technology will not fix problems. Listening and learning from the people who have the problems will go a long way to making better technology.

    Seems like yesterday

    Why do I say this? Because, it was a major issue over 20 years ago when the Agile Manifesto for Software Development was agreed to address the problems. We are better at building technology.

    I know we can be better still. And by that, I mean we can build better experiences alongside technology.

    We need to meet each other with empathy as humans being. We need to do more than hear each other, we need to deeply listen.

    Firstly, look at human interactions. Secondly, learn to understand how people work. Finally, build delightful products and services based on learning.

    Be bold, be courageous, be willing to fail (learning from the failure), and be humble enough to admit you’re wrong if you’ve acted on assumptions.

    I know that I have been wrong. As a result, it’s not bad to be wrong, it’s just humans being.


    📂This entry was posted in Agile Technology 📎and tagged

  • Reflections On Agile: Creative Work To Delight People

    Posted on by Tim

    To start 2022, I’m going to write three series of posts with reflections on Agile product and service development.

    The intent is to focus on the people aspects of Manifesto for Agile Software Development. First, the four values will be covered in a set of quarterly posts. Second, the 12 principles will be covered in a set of monthly posts. Finally, the five Scrum values will be covered in a set of quarterly posts.

    Scrum Values (credit Scrum.org)

    This series is the glue between teams, technologies, and training. Foundationally, products and service don’t get created without each area. The goals is to bring all of this together by reflecting on how we can work together today.

    Since this blog covers the creative space around “humans being”, soon it will cover the concepts around how creativity can be enabled. Until now, the posts have covered my experiences around technology and teams.

    The shift toward Agile content is coming!

    I feel good about switching gears. Following the year’s end with a shift feels right. The Reflections on Agile series allows exploration.

    As a result, there will be a mixture of posts throughout the coming months. Sometimes, there will be three posts that are Agile specific. Other times, there will one post. I intend to make content writing sustainable for me in 2022 and this is a way to make cadence happen.

    When I started posting, I did not realize then the need to look at how Agile has influenced my thinking. Now, I understand how important covering Agile is to what I blog about. Subsequently, writing about this topic makes me happy.

    Enjoy the Reflections on Agile series!


    📂This entry was posted in Agile 📎and tagged

  • Could Gratitude And Kindness Kickstart Your Year?

    Posted on by Tim

    Wow, 2021 has been a wild year! As the year ends, I’ve been thinking about gratitude and kindness.

    I know, there is still a week left during the year. Alternately, I it is not too early to reflect on how the year unfolded. As well, I look forward to how next year ought to begin.

    Self reflection is a skill I have been trying to use recently. Given that I don’t like certain results, I feel compelled to look at my actions and attitudes. How did my actions and attitudes impact my results?

    The question above is really tough to answer.

    Equally as important, what beliefs do I hold that influence my actions and attitudes?

    Another tough question to answer.

    As humans being, we are all influenced by other humans being. As a result, none of us is immune to “stinkin’ thinkin'” or “so-so beliefs”. Working in the technology space, I find these concepts to be quite true given we are trying to solve complicated and complex problems.

    There are plenty of books written on topics like attitude, beliefs, gratitude, and kindness. This post is not about my experience or reading.

    Buc-ee the Beaver
    Buc-ee the Beaver greeting visitors a one of several Texas fuel and market locations

    Kickstart 2022 With Gratitude and Kindness

    This week is your starting line. Use the week for reflecting and planning the next year. Resolutions are great, but only when backed up with action.

    I get it. Planning really stinks and it’s challenging. I know some paraphrased quotes that reflect the concept.

    If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

    — Benjamin Franklin

    Everyone has a plan until they get ________.

    — Mike Tyson (said something like this one time)

    Plans are worthless, but planning is indispensable.

    — Dwight D. Eisenhower

    What if planning works for you? It could, and you might see different results in your work/life. For me, I plan to focus on being grateful and kind in 2022.

    How that looks is where my plan becomes important. I will show gratitude and kindness by making opportunities for action. That is the plan and it is simple.

    Try it, what do you have to loose? Do you know anyone who could benefit from some gratitude and kindness in 2022? Just think about how it would positively impact your colleagues and family.


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • Coasting Along Or Improving To The Stars?

    Posted on by Tim

    Two moments in November really struck me. They caused me to think, am I improving or coasting?

    For me, working at Improving Enterprises indicates I should be improving at a sustainable pace. Sustainable pace is subjective and relative to the person. It might look like a rocket ship for you and a slight hill for me.

    Firstly, one of our vice presidents, Tim Rayburn ended our monthly Dallas townhall with an exercise. It was designed to help us think differently about recruiting. Near the end, he said something to the effect of,

    “Improvers talk to people who are probably Improvers, they just don’t know it yet.”

    Tim Rayburn

    Bold statement and a solid indicator for company culture.

    Secondly, another executive, Ken Howard facilitated an evening training session on human interaction. He was covering motivation at one point when he mentioned,

    “We discovered that many of our colleagues are geared toward creativity and learning.”

    Ken Howard

    This is a strong indicator for problems getting solved. But not messes getting cleaned up in the breakroom!

    Company culture is impacting business operations. As a result, how culture is built influences how business value is created.

    I write posts using the tag “humans being.” Occasionally, I make a mess of interactions with people.

    How do I fix my mess? I have to work on my “soft skills”. At times, I ask to be forgiven. I stop speaking mid-sentence.

    Stuck waffles
    An improvement opportunity in waffle making

    Stop coasting and start improving

    From start to finish, life is about continuous improvement. Life is painful in that way. But, I would not trade it for the alternative!

    So, this gets back to my starting question. Are you (and me) improving or coasting?

    Trust me, there isn’t anything wrong with coasting. From time to time, coasting is a good thing!

    Consider this question when your goal setting for next year. Improving or coasting, the choice is yours. Finally, I choose improving, you should too.


    📂This entry was posted in Teamwork 📎and tagged

  • How To Figure Out What To Be

    Posted on by Tim

    “What do you want to be, when you grow up?”

    Seriously, this is a question I struggle with almost daily. Yeah, about that question. I’ll let you know once I’ve figured it out.

    Given that I don’t have an answer, here’s what I’ve discovered for myself. Mostly, it’s about attributes (and adjectives) in life. I enjoy:

    • Being on high performing teams
    • Contributing to problem solving
    • Laughing at work
    • Connecting with fellow humans being
    • Getting to geek out at work
    • Telling story that relate different topics
    • Writing witty content for the internet!

    The list could be longer, but I don’t want to bore you (or me for that matter).

    What I don’t want to be

    I figured out that I don’t want to be a “forever child”. I joined the Navy at 19 years old and I never looked back. As well, I never went back home.

    USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678) patch
    USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678) ship seal

    I didn’t want to go back home, so I don’t want to feel trapped by my past. Can you relate?

    I don’t want to be taken too seriously. I’m serious, but not so serious that I would ask the question to a child or young person, “What do you want to be, when you grow up?”

    I don’t want to be insincere.

    I think this list is long enough to get my point across. There is too much pressure to figure out a constantly changing set of preferences in life.

    Life is about preference

    If my high school career counselor could see what happened to me, she would be amazed. I took a career aptitude inventory during my second or third year. It seemed to consign me to hair styling.

    How ironic! I’m partially bald now!

    That inventory challenged me to figure out a different way toward a career. I re-invented myself when I joined the Navy. As a result, I’ve been re-inventing me ever since!

    Most of my pivots are based on preference. Having choices and options is a good thing! I’m glad that I do.

    So, the next time I get asked or you get asked, “What do you want to be, when you grow up?”, consider this answer.

    Once I’ve figured it out, I’ll let you know!

    In the meantime, explore your preferences. See if teamwork is your thing (since you may have to be a team player at some time). Look for ways to geek out and get paid!

    All I would like is that you don’t stay a “forever child”. Find a career path that works for you. Who knows, maybe we can work together in tech?


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • How To Be An Undercover Geek

    Posted on by Tim

    As a kid growing up in rural, central California, my Dad took me to the International Farm Equipment Show. It was a highlight for me because I spent the entire day with my Dad. As well, it was the first place where totally “geeked out!” I also discovered the I’m an undercover geek.

    Yeah, I know, this reads a bit silly, and I’m OK with that.

    Let me break down what, for me, being an undercover geek is about. Firstly, it’s about seeing new technology on display, before it hits the market. Secondly, it’s about getting beta or preview access to new software. Finally, it’s about (or used to be about) getting the hottest, newest tech before anyone else.

    Most important, its about NOT shouting about all this new stuff from the roof tops!

    I can’t emphasize this point enough. DO NOT TELL ANYONE you have access to new tech or go to events where new tech is on display!

    Crew standing topside on the USS WYOMING (SSBN 742)
    Commissioning crew photo from the USS WYOMING (SSBN 742)

    For me, being a geek was not what I wanted as an identity when I was younger. Now, I’m mostly OK with the label. Please don’t ask me to come over and fix your computer at home!

    Back then, I was embarrassed about how my peers would see me. It was not cool to be a geek where I grew up. Times are different now.

    I choose to geek differently as an adult than when I was a kid and teenager. I had a beta GMail account, before it went mainstream. I’m blogging on a laptop with a preview release of Windows 11.

    I still struggle with the stigma of being an undercover geek. It’s not easy to outgrow the pain that came with the label. Although, I’m on complaining about the pay days as an adult!

    Find your undercover geek and be OK

    I want to encourage you. It’s OK to be an undercover geek. Don’t worry about what people might say if they found out that you have a passion for technology.

    From a fellow undercover geek, I have your back. I figured out a way to make being an undercover geek pay off. Believe me, I never would have imagined that I could be part of a nuclear submarine crew when I was five!

    Be cool, stay calm, and geek on!


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • Oh Look, That Mask Is Off And He’s A Fraud

    Posted on by Tim

    It is hard being a novice in life. There is no easy way to navigate the feelings of imposter syndrome. Especially, when you are changing careers.

    I had a Zoom call with a retiring Master Chief Petty Officer I met during my first Afghanistan deployment. He has been highly success in his Navy career, carving out a place in the leadership triad both on ships and at shore commands.

    For me, this is both insightful and instructive. What if, after 20 or 30 years becoming one thing or charting a single career path you were compelled to walk away and start fresh?

    “I feel like I’m 18 year old again. I need to figure what I want to be when I grow up.” His words, my thoughts. It would be a bit scary. It could lead to imposter syndrome.

    What if they find out?

    Throughout my professional journey, I have struggled with imposter syndrome. It gets worse with age, because of higher expectations. Navigating it, after a successful ‘first career’, is worse than a continuation of a career.

    For retired military members, imposter syndrome holds them back from really going after a new career. They have all the ‘soft skills’ an employer could dream of, experience under pressure, and gut-grinding determination to see teams and the organization win.

    Yet, many military retirees question themselves. They question if they can transfer any of their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA’s) effectively to create value as private sector employees.

    It might be a two-way street from the employer’s side. Fear may be influencing a hiring manager, as well?

    Ancient mask
    A burial mask on display in the Perrot Museum

    What if they want my job?

    A colleague, Mike, told me once that I intimidated and scared people. To look at me, I’m not physically imposing. What he meant was I get intense when I talk on subject where I have expertise.

    Deep expertise express with energy and enthusiasm can create missed opportunity. Some people feel threatened by women and men who built a career as military professionals. It’s not your fault or my fault, and we can do something about minimizing those concerns.

    How is your delivery?

    So, I learned to dial my intensity down. “I have you about an 11 and I need you at a five.” said Mike. Good advice for anyone who want to build rapport. Attitude is everything according to Keith Harrel.

    Keith is right and we can be meek so that people feel safe. Meekness is not weakness. It is strength restrained. Meekness is about creating comfort for others; looking out for their interests. It is about building bridge and revealing that we are all just humans being.

    Consider this point

    If you have all the KSA’s to do the job, should you be worried about being an imposter? I don’t think so, I would be more concerned about keeping a growth mindset.

    Be a life-long-learner, a student of life, and an engaged colleague. Show up like you are 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, or 23 years old, ready to learn and grow.


    📂This entry was posted in Personal 📎and tagged

  • Buying Time To Create And Express Ideas

    Posted on by Tim

    Kent Beck posted on LinkedIn an interesting statement shown below. This is a topic I’ve been considering for a while as finding time to create and express ideas seems to be scarce.

    https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kentbeck_25-years-of-trying-to-explain-software-development-activity-6869343385417867264-tvlT

    My response to Kent was basic. It’s short and works for me. But, it may not work for everyone.

    Kent may not have intended for me to respond this way. I don’t really care one way or the other. My point is, I’m not buying time to create and express.

    I respect the work Kent has done in the product creation field. He is an author, speaker, and one of the original co-signers of the Manifesto for Agile Software Development. He is an icon in the software development space and he is a creator.

    Thanksgiving And Being Grateful

    This post is being typed on Thanksgiving morning from my home office in the United States. I’m not “buying time” as Kent would suggest to create and express today. I am investing time into this blog specifically and the community generally.

    I don’t know who will read this post today. If you are reading this and you create products and services to delight your customers or clients, I hope this inspires you. I want you to invest in yourself by setting aside time to create and express for you and people you care about.

    I can’t tell you how much better I feel after I write an article or post. It gives me a sense that I accomplished something of substance, something that mattered, for the day.

    I am grateful for the quiet hours I have to type this and many posts. I am grateful for the technology I have to express these views. It is amazing to living in today and I encourage you to make the most of today.


    📂This entry was posted in Agile 📎and tagged