A vacationcast where Andy ruminates on  AI coding assistants. He draws on an article re wrote in 2007 on autonomic computing. Emphasis is placed on the essential roles and responsibilities of software engineers, differentiating them from AI systems. Andy shares personal experiences and observations of using tools like AI coding assistants, highlighting potential pitfalls and benefits. He concludes with some thoughts on a possibly useful pattern to follow when working with the assistants that keeps the software engineer responsible for the engineering.

References

• Autonomic Computing - https://zaphod42.livejournal.com/45717.html

 In this episode of The Tactics for Tech Leadership Podcast, the hosts discuss personal computer issues (and a missing episode!) before diving into the main topic: the continued search for a system. They review the DevOps Research and Assessment (DORA) model, its methodology, and its continuous improvement efforts. Comparing it to other models like CMM and TSP, they conclude that DORA provides a more comprehensive and scientifically-backed system for understanding and improving organizational performance. The hosts also explore DORA's latest insights, including the impact of AI on software delivery, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and mindful interventions based on DORA's findings. The episode provides actionable advice on leveraging DORA's research for tech leadership and maintaining organizational health.

Transcript: https://thettlpodcast.com/2025/05/20/s3e17-systematic-insights-doras-role-in-diagnosing/

References

• The Role of Continuous Delivery in IT and Organizational Performance - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/302567338_THE_ROLE_OF_CONTINUOUS_DELIVERY_IN_IT_AND_ORGANIZATIONAL_PERFORMANCE
• DORA Research publications - https://dora.dev/research/

With Andy away, Mon-Chaio dives into the topic of what it means to be a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in today's diverse tech landscape. Inspired by a recent conversation with a venture capitalist, Mon-Chaio reflects on the wide range of skills and experiences that different CTOs bring to the table. He discusses the various types of CTOs, from deeply technical experts to those who primarily manage vendor relationships. This episode questions how well communities designed for CTO networking really serve their members given their vastly different roles and day-to-day tasks. Don’t miss this reflective and thought-provoking episode.

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