In this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy discuss the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) and its implications for software development organizations. They explore why CMM was chosen for this episode and its connection to previous topics such as the Team Software Process. The conversation delves into the maturity levels defined by CMMI, from 'incomplete' to 'optimizing,' and explores whether the lack of a 'why' behind processes affects the model's utility. The discussion detours into how modern tools like Large Language Models (LLMs) and Copilot can impact software development, highlighting both their benefits and limitations. It ends with reflections on continuous improvement and how organizations can leverage CMM and LLMs for better outcomes.

References

• Capability Maturity Model for Software, Version 1.1
• Capability Maturity Model® Integration (CMMI), Version 1.1
• The Capability Im-Maturity Model (CIMM)

 In this special 'vacation cast' episode, Andy shares an important announcement.

Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/04/21/s3e15-vacationcast-an-announcement/

Andy and Mon-Chaio continue their journey into organizational models by discussing the Team Software Process (TSP). They touch briefly on the origins and history of TSP, its relationship with the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) from Carnegie Mellon, and how it helps teams organize their software development processes. The discussion takes a turn to the philisophical as they explore the empirical nature of TSP, its focus on measurement, and the importance of data-driven decisions. They also debate whether TSP qualifies as a true system of knowledge. By the end, listeners will gain insights into the practical applications of TSP and why it might prompt them to re-evaluate their own measurement practices.

Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/04/15/s3e14-does-the-empiricism-of-tsp-provide-a-path-forward/

References

• The Team Software Process - https://insights.sei.cmu.edu/documents/645/2000_005_001_13754.pdf
• Using TSP Data to Evaluate Your Project Performance - https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA537112.pdf
• Rationalism vs. Empiricism - https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rationalism-empiricism/

In this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy dive into the intriguing concept of 'Alien Chess' and its relation to leadership and organizational diagnosis. They reflect on its connection with the four spheres of knowledge discussed in the previous episode and critically analyze its validity as a system within organizations. They draw parallels from the Cynefin framework, extreme programming, and real-world applications, debating whether alien chess is a useful model or leads to high-functioning, learned helplessness. Join the discussion on the balance between strategic planning and adaptable responses in leadership and technology sectors.

References

• The Resilience of Alien Chess
• Cynefin framework
• The Parable of Alien Chess

 In this episode of Tactics for Tech Leadership, Andy and Mon-Chaio dive into the discipline of organizational diagnosis through the lens of the paper 'Organizational Diagnosis: an Evidence-Based Approach' by McFillen, Balzer, Varney, and O'Neil. They discuss the need for a rigorous approach to diagnosis in organizational design and change. The focus is on understanding the four spheres of knowledge: standards, solutions, symptoms, and systems. These spheres provide a structured approach to making evidence-based diagnoses. The hosts emphasize the importance of coherence in systems and how teams can implement this structured thinking into their practices to ensure organizational health. The conversation provides insights and actionable advice for technical leaders aiming to improve their diagnostic practices and organizational change efforts.

Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/04/01/s3e12-the-4-spheres-of-knowledge-for-diagnosis/

References

• Organizational Diagnosis: An Evidence-based Approach - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/239796277_Organizational_Diagnosis_An_Evidence-based_Approach
• The history of the theory of the circulation of the blood - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.3233/CH-168031

In this episode of The TTL Podcast, Mon-Chaio and Andy dive deep into the world of employee surveys. They discuss whether these surveys truly work, their best practices, and the research behind them. Exploring the role of culture in company performance, they uncover the nuances of implementing and interpreting surveys. The episode provides actionable insights for leaders aiming to diagnose and improve their organizational culture.

References

• Measuring employee engagement and interpreting survey results
• Employee Survey Research: A Critical Review of Theory and Practice
• Diagnosing organizational cultures: A conceptual and empirical review of culture effectiveness surveys
• Following Up on Employee Surveys: A Conceptual Framework and Systematic Review

 In this Tactics for Tech Leadership podcast episode, Andy and Mon-Chaio explore SWIFT (Structured What If Technique). While traditionally seen as a technical tool for failure analysis, the hosts consider its potential applications in leadership and organizational contexts. Listeners will learn how SWIFT can help anticipate system failures even before they occur, from technical systems like Redis caches to social-technical systems like performance reviews and hiring processes. By the end, you'll understand how to adapt this structured method for diagnosing issues and improving both technical and organizational systems.

Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/03/18/s3e10-swiftly-understanding-failure-modes/

References

• SWIFT - https://www.asems.mod.uk/toolkit/swift

In this episode, Mon-Chaio and Andy delve deep into the nuances of accountability at high organizational levels, particularly within the C-suite. They explore the challenges of holding executives accountable for outcomes, especially when their roles and processes are not fully understood by their peers. The conversation includes discussions on the differences between process and outcome accountability and how each can be applied depending on the context. Ultimately, they highlight the importance of team cohesion, shared goals, and trust in building a high-performance, accountable organization.

References

• Radical Candor
• We Hold Ourselves Accountable: A Relational View of Team Accountability
• The Best Teams Hold Themselves Accountable
• The Effect of Outcome vs. Process Accountability-Focus on Performance: A Meta-Analysis
• Accountability Systems and Group Norms: Balancing the Risks of Mindless Conformity and Reckless Deviation

 Andy and Mon-Chaio explore Patrick Lencioni's concept of the five dysfunctions of a team, discussing how absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results interrelate to impact team performance. They reflect on their own experiences and the importance of productive conflict, peer accountability, and commitment to collective success. Listeners will learn how examining organizational structure and culture can address these dysfunctions and improve team dynamics. Andy and Mon-Chaio also stumble upon the topic for the next episode on holding individuals accountable in areas outside one’s expertise.

Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/03/04/s3e8-5-dysfunctions-of-a-team/

References:

• 5 Dysfunctions of a Team PDF resource - https://files.tablegroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/11224029/FiveDysfunctions.pdf
• 5 Dysfunctions of a Team - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Five_Dysfunctions_of_a_Team
• Team Effectiveness: A Validation Study of Lencioni's Five Functions of a Team - https://lib.manaraa.com/books/A%20validation%20study%20of%20Lencioni's%20five%20functions%20of%20a%20team.pdf

In this week's episode of The TTL Podcast, Mon-Chaio and Andy delve into Ron Westrom's influential paper, "A Typology of Organizational Cultures." The hosts unpack the compelling insights and frameworks posited by Westrom, which categorize organizational cultures into Pathological, Bureaucratic, and Generative types. Mon-Chaio and Andy also share personal anecdotes and practical examples, such as dealing with software bugs, to illustrate the distinctions between local fix and inquiry-based approaches. They highlight the critical role of leadership and the importance of having a curious and improvement-focused mindset.

References

• A typology of organisational cultures
• Accelerate
• S1E14: The Undeserved Malignment of Bureaucracy
• Culture Series (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)