The Software Process and Measurement Cast 345 features our essay on Cognitive Biases and two new columns. The essay on cognitive bias provides important tools for anyone that works on a team or interfaces with other people! A sample for the podcast: “The discussion of cognitive biases is not a theoretical exercise. Even a relatively simple process such as sprint planning in Scrum is influenced by the cognitive biases of the participants. Even the planning process itself is built to use cognitive biases like the anchor bias to help the team come to consensus efficiently. How all the members of the team perceive their environment and the work they commit to delivering will influence the probability of success, therefore, cognitive biases need to be understood and managed.” The first of the new columns is Jeremy Berriault’s QA Corner.  Jeremy’s first QA Corner discusses root cause analysis and some errors that people make when doing root cause analysis. Jeremy, is a leader in the world of quality assurance and testing and was originally interviewed on the . The second new column features Steve Tendon discussing his great new book, .  Our intent is to discuss the book chapter by chapter.  This is very much like the re-read we do on blog weekly but with the author.  Steve has offered the SPaMCAST listeners are great discount if you use the link shown above. As part of the chapter by chapter discussion of Steve’s book we are embedding homework questions.  The first question we pose is “Is the concept of hyper-productivity transferable from one group or company to another?” Send your comments to . Call to action! Reviews of the Podcast help to attract new listeners.  Can you write a review of the Software Process and Measurement Cast and post it on the podcatcher of your choice?  Whether you listen on ITunes or any other podcatcher, a review will help to grow the podcast!  Thank you in advance! Re-Read Saturday News The Re-Read Saturday focus on Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox’s The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement began on February 21nd. The Goal has been hugely influential because it introduced the Theory of Constraints, which is central to lean thinking. The book is written as a business novel. Visit the  and catch up on the re-read. Note: If you don’t have a copy of the book, buy one.  If you use the link below it will support the Software Process and Measurement blog and podcast.  or  Next . . .  Get a copy now and start reading! We will start in four weeks! Upcoming Events 2015 ICEAA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING WORKSHOPJune 9 – 12 San Diego, California http://www.iceaaonline.com/2519-2/I will be speaking on June 10.  My presentation is titled “Agile Estimation Using Functional Metrics.” Let me know if you are attending! Also upcoming conferences I will be involved in include and SQTM in September. More on these great conferences next week. Next SPaMCast The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature our will interview with Jon M Quigley.  We discussed configuration management and his new book . Jon co-authored the book with Kim Robertson. Configuration management is one of the most critical practices anyone building a product, writing a piece of code or working on a project with other must learn or face the consequences! Shameless Ad for my book!  co-authored by Murali Chematuri and myself and published by J. Ross Publishing. We have received unsolicited reviews like the following: “This book will prove that software projects should not be a tedious process, neither for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book  nglish and Chinese.