The Software Process and Measurement Cast 384 features our interview with Gwen Walsh. Gwen is the President of TechEdge LLC. We discuss leadership and why leadership is important. We also discuss the topic of performance appraisals and how classic methods can hurt your organization. Gwen’s advice both redefines industry standards and provides you with an idea of what is truly possible.

Gwen Walsh has built a career creating and implementing business and technology solutions that redefine the industry standards for both Fortune 100 corporations and entrepreneurial organizations. With over 25 years of experience in leadership development and organizational transformation, Ms. Walsh, founder of TechEdge LLC, helps her clients stay ahead of their competition, stay in touch with their customers and stay in high demand. Ms. Walsh's client portfolio includes Kaiser Permanente, Hospital Corporation of America, Hewlett-Packard, KeyBank, Medical Mutual of Ohio, General Motors, Omaha Public Power District and Anheuser-Busch. 

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Re-Read Saturday NewsThis week we are back with Chapter 11 of by Douglas W. Hubbard on the . Chapter 11 begins section four of the book and is titled Preferences and Attitudes: The Softer Side of Measurement. The softer side is a euphemism for attitudes and opinions.  In this chapter, we visit how to: · Measure opinions and feelings.· Design out bias in surveys and questions.· Observe opinions and feelings through trade-offs.· Use trade-offs to describe risk tolerance.

Anyone living in the United States knows that every election year there are a plethora opinion polls.  One of my favorite blogs is Nate Silver’s FiveThrityEight, which shows a wealth of statistical information about sports, economics, culture, and politics (a form of sport).  Much of the data presented is a reflection of opinions and attitudes. Often they are real predictors of behavior and product success. 

Upcoming EventsI am facilitating the CMMI Capability Challenge. This new competition showcases thought leaders who are building organizational capability and improving performance. Listeners will be asked to vote on the winning idea which will be presented at the CMMI Institute’s Capability Counts 2016 conference. The next CMMI Capability Challenge session will be held on March 15th at 1 PM EST.

I will be at the QAI Quest 2016 in Chicago beginning April 18th through April 22nd.  I will be teaching a full day class on on April 18 and presenting on Wednesday, April 20th.  !

Next SPaMCAST The next Software Process and Measurement Cast features our essay on portfolio metrics. Agile portfolio metrics are integral to prioritization and validating the flow of work. But, are only useful if they provide value. Metrics and measures add value if they reduce uncertainty so that we can make better decisions. 

We will also have a new installment from the Software Sensei. Kim asks the question, “Why should we care about diversity?” Gene Hughson will anchor cast with another entry from his wonderful blog Form Follows Function!

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, for you or your team.” Support SPaMCAST by buying the book nglish h and Chinese.