Monthly Archives: April 2008

A Programmers Take on Agile Software Development

Posted on April 6, 2008 by John Hunter

A Case for Agile: Benefits for a Programmer’s Career by Theodore Nguyen-Cao Through agile development, I’ve been able to deliver working software time and time again. I’ve been exposed to all different aspects of the business. I’ve learn what I like and don’t like to do. I’ve learn what pieces of business I’m interested in and the pieces I don’t care much for. I’ve developed some really good working relationships. I’ve tackled some hard problems. I’ve learned to respond and … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Lean thinking, Management, Process improvement, Software Development | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Manufacturing Employee Shortage in Utah

Posted on April 3, 2008 by John Hunter

Utah scrambling to meet need for technical workers The state faces challenges in generating necessary interest to fill available manufacturing jobs for what Utah’s governor has called the state’s “Aerospace Hub,” both immediately and in the future, the report said. The situation continues to worsen, with jobs being created and unemployment remaining low in the state. And as the current work force ages, the supply of skilled workers is diminishing, forcing employers to recruit outside of Utah and sometimes leave … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Manufacturing, Public Sector | Tagged , ,

10x Productivity Difference in Software Development

Posted on April 2, 2008 by John Hunter

10x Software Development The original study that found huge variations in individual programming productivity was conducted in the late 1960s by Sackman, Erikson, and Grant (1968). They studied professional programmers with an average of 7 years’ experience and found that the ratio of initial coding time between the best and worst programmers was about 20 to 1; the ratio of debugging times over 25 to 1; of program size 5 to 1; and of program execution speed about 10 to … Continue reading →

Posted in IT, Management, Performance Appraisal, Software Development | Tagged | 5 Comments

Management Improvement Carnival #32

Posted on April 1, 2008 by John Hunter

Please submit your favorite management posts to the carnival. Read the previous management carnivals. The Skipper & First Mate: A Pattern for Continual Progress by Jamie Dinkelacker – “An organization can only depend on individuals in critical chain processes when individuals are fungible — one can quickly take over for another with no interruption of the work flow. Moreover, it implies that there’s a pool of available developers, ready to step in, who themselves aren’t engaged in other priority activities. … Continue reading →

Posted in Carnival, Management | Tagged , ,