Welcome to the Software Process and Measurement Cast 74!In the SPaMCAST 74 I interviewed Kenji Hiranabe. We discussed mind mapping and how it can be used in projects. Mind Mapping for the uninitiated is a simple graphical means of organizing data to make it more understandable and memorable. Mind mapping has many uses in all types of software projects. We specifically discussed uses in agile projects but the method transcends a simple category and is useful in all projects .Kenji Hiranabe is an Agile software development practitioner and Japanese (co-)translator of "Multi-Paradigm Design"(Jim Coplien), "Lean Software Development"(Mary/Tom Poppendieck), "XP Installed"(Ron Jeffries), "Agile Project Management"(Jim Highsmith), "The Art of Agile Development"(James Shore) and other Agile books.Kenji was awarded the 2008 Gordon Pask Award Recipient for contributions to Agile practice.http://www.infoq.com/news/2008/08/Gordon-Pask-Award-2008-ReceiversHe thinks of software development as a form of communication game, and is always searching for better ways to make it more productive, collaborative, and fun.His article related to this interview; "Agile Modeling with Mind Maps and UML"http://www.stickyminds.com/s.asp?F=S11861_ART_2He is also CEO of Change Vision, Inc.Change Vision develops lightweight Mind Mapping and UML/ERD/DFD integrated software ketching and modeling tool "astah*" (http://astah.change-vision.com/).He blogs about Lean/Agile software development.http://astah-users.change-vision.com/en/modules/weblog/kenji.hiranabe/The essay in SPaMCAST 74 is discussion the confluence of IT Value and customer satisfaction. Can you really measure the value of your IT group if you don't start with your customers perception? Conferences and Speaking Engagements in 2010 (To Date)Are Your Project Stakeholders Satisfied February 11, 2010 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Eastern Time Measuring customer satisfaction is more than just asking if your clients got what they wanted. Customer satisfaction is a messy mix of expectations, experiences, and perceptions - with maybe a hint of functionality. In this webinar, Tom Cagley will outline one method for measuring this mixture and for identifying what really matters in customer satisfaction.Learning Objectives: • How to define customer satisfaction • Strategies for identifying what really matters • A practical framework for measuring customer satisfaction • Not all attributes of customer satisfaction matter to the same level for all stakeholders Register at http://solutions.compaid.com/forms/WebinarA20100211?ProcessType=PreRegQuest Conference in Dallas April 21 - 23. I will be talking on "Process Improvement in a Multi-Model World". The conference includes two days of workshops. The website to get more information is http://www.qaiquest.org/dallas/index.htmlNext!The next Software Process and Measurement Cast will feature an interview with Bonnie Brown (really this time). We discussed the upcoming release of an updated IFPUG Function Point Standards (Counting Practice Manual 4.3). If you are interested in function points, Bonnie has a lot of information for you!