Better ROI from Software Development

In the last episode I the dysfunctions and unexpected results of a "feature factory" within Software Development.

This week I look at what happens if the pendulum swings too far the other way - where an overemphasis on perfection leads again to dysfunction and unexpected results.

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Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/185

Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap

In the fast-paced world of software development, the “feature factory” model, with its promise of rapid growth and high ROI, can easily captivate businesses.

This episode takes a dive into why the the feature factory is so alluring - and why beneath the allure, lies a multitude of hidden dysfunctions and potential for long-term damage.

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Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/184

Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap

In this episode I look at another practice that can be bad for ROI - a practice that may commonly be considered good or common practice, but is actually causing dysfunctional, and unexpected, results.

In this episode I want to explore the dangers of performance measurements in modern software development - how, while they are a useful and powerful tool, they are so commonly used incorrectly to disastrous affects.

Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap

We all know that a heft bonus improves productivity. Its a management stable - dangle the carrot and good results just roll it.

But is that really true?

In this episode, I look at the negative consequences of using bonuses for motivation - once again, leaning heavily on the work of Daniel Pink and his book "Drive" to explore the idea of extrinsic and intrinsic motivators - and what works best with modern software development.

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Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/182

Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap

Occasionally I record an episode exploring something that may commonly be considered good, or common practice, but is actually causing dysfunctional, and unexpected, results in modern software development - and thus would be bad for ROI.

This week I look at the RAG (Red Amber Green) status reporting and its impact on modern software development.

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Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/181

Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap

Occasionally I record an episode exploring something that may commonly be considered good, or common practice, but is actually causing dysfunctional, and unexpected, results in modern software development - and thus would be bad for ROI.

This week I want to introduce you to a strange beast, found way too often in our organisations, the HiPPO. While the term might sound comical, its implications in the corporate world, and our software development, are anything but.

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Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/180

Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap

In this episode I wanted to explore what it means to be a manager for a development team - and more importantly in the world of diverse, cross-functional, self-managing, value stream teams, does the manager still have a role to play?

Could you have possibly made yourself redundant?

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Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/179

Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap

In this episode I wrap up this series of episodes on transaction-based costing by looking at the common themes and revisiting some of my initial reasons for starting the series.

For me the key takeaway is the common theme of constantly rethinking our best practice and adapting to the changing landscape of technology, our organisation, and our markets.

Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/178

Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap

In this episode I continue the discussion on transaction-based costing by looking at the relationship with Small Batch Sizes.

I began by defining small batch sizes - the breaking of work down into more manageable tasks, which can improve the speed and quality of your output.

I then explore how small batch sizes play a pivotal role in transaction-based costing, promoting efficiency and cost-effectiveness by enabling more precise tracking and control of costs.

I also examine the benefits that come with this combination - enhanced agility for software changes, better predictability for improved financial forecasting, enhanced transparency for granular insights into cost allocations, and streamlined processes for reducing waste and improving value delivery.

And to wrap up, I talk about some the challenges of a transition from traditional methods and implementing small batch sizes.

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Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/177

Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap

In this episode I continue the discussion on transaction-based costing by looking at the relationship with Value Stream Teams.

I recap the transactional cost mindset, comparing it with the traditional CapEx/ OpEx model - highlighting the benefits of a transaction-based approach for improving visibility and accountability for better decision making.

I then discuss the importance of breaking down organizational silos - examining the significance of focusing on the end-to-end flow of value in software development, emphasizing how transaction-based costing helps optimize this flow for better financial outcomes.

Lastly, I highlight how this approach can enhance agility and speed up time to market.

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Find this episodes show notes at: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/176

Have an idea for an episode topic, or want to see what is coming up: https://red-folder.com/podcasts/roadmap