Contract negotiations with the evolution of agile development: Q & A with Angela Druckman

The organizations recognized as an agile process, the application process of negotiating business contracts Agile to see if the equivalent. Angela Druckman Agile2011 co-presenting the stakeholders in an agile, practical issues to consider when developing partnerships with Jimi Fosdick. To get the scoop of your presentation to the following interview SearchSoftwareQuality.com Druckman.

Q: We "contract" what are you talking about? SLA? Contracts with suppliers while working? This document is legal?

Druckman: It is an organization for the promotion and such advice, recruitment agency or by mutual written agreement between an external entity, talking about the legal agreement. But both sides and we found a very agile, to carry out the work as a software development project where the emergence of a combine. These agreements should be changed to support the process of defining and writing the road again.

Q: The "Agile" to talk about contracts, agile development practices (for example, allow changes) talks, or negotiating contracts for agile practices (eg, cooperation, etc.) related to the use of speaking?

Druckman: Agile practices, and the process of negotiating the contract itself and the preparation of almost all aspects of these agreements, and will affect the key. But clearly the fact that both sides of management roles and responsibilities, artifacts, and called for job creation describes how to work together to change the approval process is "done."

Q: Who do you think of this preparation of agreements; review and approval should be included?

Druckman: It should be a shared process between the two sides of construction contracts. Should include a variety of stakeholders. This list, end users, management tool, as groups and partners may include third party. Current team members are based in this product also participate actively. Plan, a framework to use the Scrum agile project structure, the Product Owner and ScrumMaster also part of this process. Finally, people actually write the contract - ScrumMaster, product owner, or someone else entirely - will also attend.

Q: The summary presentation of the standard frequency models for contracts, the companies say not compatible with the Agile process. Could you give some examples?

Druckman: Closed style, models of cascade product development to identify the most standard contracts. For example, a contract of this type of finish, signed a Requirements Document (BRD) may need before starting to develop the actual product. But in the final product by BRD their accumulation, are the Scrum agile methods, such as requirements, not only appropriate, at first, but continues throughout the project. In other words, any contract language that describes this narrow focus now should be reviewed to support a more interactive approach.

Similarly, the requirements of the contract provides a part of change management describes the process of making changes to the list. Additions and subtractions to these terms of speed and with the potential of each, to be developed systematically for a fact that the contract language should reflect this flexibility.

Q: The use of contracts to define the roles and responsibilities in a conversation about agile. Roles and responsibilities for everyone, or only for the uninitiated?

Druckman: At a minimum, the contract must explain the details of these three documents. First, it is important to consider the prioritization and approval. Scrum, the responsibility of the owner of this product. Which party has the proper role of the contract clearly stated? Second, the agreement must also team commitments to undertake and the team delivered the final word on the number of each iteration of the process that will clearly explain that. Finally, the contract should be the party to give a major role in Scrum. Without taking these measures will help prevent job progresses, confusion and misunderstanding.

Q: The negotiation of the contract negotiations of any contract negotiated for the current agile? Models will be available?

Druckman: We are working quickly to deal with a business model that defines the responsibilities and expectations of a specific language be added to the model contract. However, many companies fully support the implementation of agile and Scrum, project management, while others are deleted, added to the parties, the contract type can be a major operation. For a large-scale change, it is recommended that organizations seeking an agile coach. An experienced coach, not only contracts but other project artifacts, and a desk, can help organizations address the needs of the business documents and design documents. In addition, the rapid change in a car to meet their needs in this period, business groups and work closely with legal compliance audits.

Q: If a big lead in this session, participants will be what do you think?

Druckman: Customers and consultants to work with an agile decision must realize that can produce a radical change in relations. Contract agreements and is more about mutual benefits, I am trying to gain an advantage under. Both parties are working together to transform the way we do business this way to eliminate inefficient processes in the spirit of cooperation and commitment can approach the negotiation process.

Positive Psychology on Agile teams

Barbara Fredrickson August 9 Agile2011 gave birth to a conference like the opening "may seem unnecessary to talk about an hour on positive emotions," said author positivity. After some time, despite the serious problems we face, positive emotions and more sensitive than us, more opportunities, more creative, more flexible, enabling a better experience, "open", said the performance demonstrated, and take better decisions. Fredrickson open some interesting facts about positive psychology and how agile environment, we use this information to improve the way it worked.

Parallel movement of positive psychology and Agile

This year, Agile Manifesto, 10 birthday. Conference, held today and faith and confidence of people spoke of the importance of being the author of the Manifesto 17, including 15 meeting.

Fredrickson also have the right, a movement towards a large positive psychology, he said. It was not as impressive as the Agile Manifesto is clear from the positive psychology, but also stressed the importance of people and positive people who are able to thrive and succeed was a joke.

Positive emotions increase awareness of scientific evidence

Fredrickson, scientists use to test the benefits of positive emotions describes some of the experiments. "The brain science shows that positive emotions expand our consciousness and mind," he said. O, for example, their "happy" to give surprise gifts, such as materials in the form of photos, "inject positive emotions" the first scientists to listen to beautiful music, which describes the experience. Then the subjects were asked to answer the question about what they see and view photos.

The subject's eyes, brain, and examining the responses, the scientists first exposed to positive feelings that the subjects more aware of their environment and have a lot of data showing that more able to concentrate.

Positive emotions "other centered" unlock reflection

Fredrickson Positive emotions not only allow you to focus more on ourselves rather than others, he said. Work with others to do more, because "a better perspective, a positive attitude is reflected in more ways for the union revealed that [racial prejudice], more confidence, and better and win-win solutions in negotiation ".

More recently, psychological studies lead contact with the eyes of scientists with something positive with the mixture of "bio-behavioral timing" or call showed that the "movement". People mirror each other, and that experience starts to feel a strong bond. Unstable and organs that act as one - Fredrickson these "mini-mental fusion" may have said.

This question led to an audience. This remote workers without contact with eyes, does that mean that there could be a link? "This is something that we must pay close attention, Fredrickson video technology and other tools that use artificial eye contact may be necessary to establish a non-partner says there are strong teams.

Positive emotions make us

"In addition to expanding our consciousness, positive emotions, positive emotions that transforms us," says Fredrickson. Positive people see the big picture better and to cope with large real-world problems are able to do better. Emotions at the cellular level to create and change us.

But to change that, not only for the cute picture to see or receive a surprise gift to take over. These changes in lifestyle, positive feelings with a "steady state" should be. When you make changes, we have "a positive spiral upwards." Can see the spiral of depression lead to more positive emotions, such as positive emotions can help seed.

Scientists in times of stress provide a quiet part of the vagus nerve in our body is able to study these changes. This is measured by breathing patterns and to better deal can be a "high vagal tone."

Fredrickson made a study of a specific type of meditation practices focus on "compassion". Ultimately, this kind of meditation practice that those who saw it found subtle changes that make them more effective. And both were able to focus better be careful. Warmest relations and support with others, such as headache, had experienced fewer physical problems.

When people practice positive, shows an increase in vagal tone. In short, better versions of ourselves allow us to positive emotions.

Enough of what?

Based on data from the study of mathematics and the complex dynamics of human development Fredrickson, at least "positive rates," he said showed that 3:01. In other words, all the negative feelings must be at least three positive emotions. Tipping point in this relationship ", but the 3-1, with notes of Fredrickson is useful.

However, the negativity is required. Fredrickson, excessive negativity as harmful to cope with distress, and said it is important to mask negative emotions. "The false positive toxic," he warns.

Transport 3:1 ratio? "Create a positive mindset. Be specific, be grateful to be curious, to be kind, be true," he said.

Fredrickson also reminds us to have. "We are in a good mood, as always, statistically speaking most of the time." We so often miss the best time in the future, or are worried about old problems.

For use in agile teams

The primary audience has come to an end to implement agile teams. "Coaching and positively," said an agile coach. Others have adopted a positive, not only to increase productivity and morale, not only help the cause of the success can only improve the team's attitude General.

Agile software delivery for any size team: Q & A with Scott Ambler

"The best advice I can give companies a flexible delivery at the enterprise level experience and a strategy for long-term investment for the transition is to help a company prepare for the Agile and Lean," said Scott Ambler Agile expert said. The second part of this interview in two parts, the team, organizational models and large-scale transition to Agile refers to the size of Ambler. Ambler upcoming Agile 2011, "Scaling Agile to be as flexible as necessary to make the model (ASM) will be present. The first half of the ASM, and eight more on the scale factors.

Q: One for the success of the "ideal" Do you think all the factors that will talk about it? For example, the "ideal team size is seven to nine people, and if you have more than nine persons, must be separated by a few teams." What do you think I've heard things like this?

Ambler: Hold the ideal situation as simple as possible. Each of the factors described in a similar way to the left of the simple scale / perfect (for example, small teams, which together incompatibility, etc.) is presented as a series of state and the right side of the situation more difficult (i.e., compliance is very important ...). Hundreds of people around the world as a team, research in recent years I have distributed all of these cases, just to show riot teams, but also (and yes, they also fail) their success. For this reason, many people significantly increases the probability of success is an ideal situation, talk to focus on, well, but the actual areas of the teams who really need advice and answers of the head in these cases.

Q: What is the organizational model of perfect ideals about your thoughts? Developers and tested by the same organization?

Ambler: I wrote about it. I am a firm believer that the project teams, "everything is" live and have the skills to work as a team. Thus, tests of skills, analytical skills, architecture, are including skills programming and a team of people. However, the owner of the team effort to support independent tests is generally very good reasons. For example, according to the rules dictated. The technical complexity of your environment by a team of independent test has developed the only pre-production test may require an economic integration.

Q: The agile approach to the traditional model for large organizations is doing, what are your suggestions for where to start?

Ambler: Really depends. We are an authorized person (s) initial evaluation consists of measurement capabilities improved (MCI) to develop a strategy known as a special priority, which reflects changes in the plan are made accordingly, and develop. This is a consultant and expert coaches and supported by a program to measure light. The best advice I can give companies a flexible enterprise-class companies that offer the experience to help and be ready for the transition to investment strategies in the long run, Agile and Lean.

Q: If you are in maintenance mode, a change in the ancient practices of traditional benefit agile? If so, only the TDD, agile techniques in the new code or code already written in the test cases may be I suggest to add ATS?

Ambler: Again, depends on the situation. I will appear as the general problems of human resource oriented. Maintenance prefers to work with? Quality-based? Are you ready to develop a set (how many times I have found is to keep developers using development tools in early 1980, we can not say)? For example, new skills, such as TDD, continuous integration (CI) and other are you willing to learn?

Development of the old code as a series of regression tests, usually affects the existing code in the development or addition shows the new code. This discipline, competence, and requires long-term. In addition, (usually the best thing to do is be honest) I have the code to identify the modernization of the company. What happens to existing data sources identified? Refactoring Databases wrote a few years ago, with Pramod Sadalage relational database development and production showed how to fix it. Recently, a hierarchical data store such as the IMS application of these techniques has worked for. In addition, the consolidation of its portfolio on which systems? This business intelligence and both require long-term. Great benefit to your organization for a joint solution with existing systems for retirement.

Q: The agile team to advise a company if that changes, what would it be?

Ambler: My only advice throughout the life cycle of rapid intensification disciplinary professionals with experience in applying agile techniques to speak. Use their experience and make the transition to agile can be a great starting point. However, a variety of certification programs for coaches, and promised a "quick fix", as well as careful who you talk. When you are ready to make changes to your own applications, tools and organizational culture means we have to do. These changes take time, but it is a valuable effort.

Scale factors in the agile enterprise with Scott Ambler

Originally developed in mind with small teams, agile methods are used for equipment of all sizes. Conference in 2011, nimble, agile, flexible as you need to be acknowledged expert Scott Ambler Agile development model (ASM) will be present. How to adapt their strategy taking into account eight factors of scale agile said: team size, geographic distribution, the complexity of control, organization, distribution, regulatory compliance, the complexity of the organization, technical complexity and business sectors (eg, enterprise architecture, such as re-state).

Q: The model of scale Agile (ASM) Could you explain a little about what happened? For example, the scale based on eight factors, practices or techniques of a document proposing?

Scott Ambler: Agile development model (ASM) and the adoption of effective and unique challenges facing each type of distribution system to meet a team of agile practices in a contextual framework for adaptation. In addition, the scale (Figure 1) distinguishes three categories:

• The core of agile development: The Scrum and Agile Modeling methods of self-organization as a system based on the value of the development life cycle (SDLC) and the development cycle, there is a part of management. These methods and daily stand-up meetings, and anticipating the needs of applications, such as the development of a simple small, which together have been optimized for the teams.
• Delivery disciplined agile: This category is the method of dynamic development of systems (DSDM) includes a variety of agile methods, the Harmony / ESW, disciplined and agile distribution (DDA) standards process itself. These methods, since the beginning of the project in a production environment (or in accordance with the market) in the transition system that covers the full life cycle software development beyond. Appropriate disciplinary processes of rapid deployment and life cycle of self-organization in one direction and risk-based approach and value. This category, which is close to the team that focuses on small and medium enterprises, they are very simple solutions. Surrender to regulate the life, organizations, applications, combining a few basic methods, or the need for a method he has already done.
• Agility Ladder: One or more scaling factors to apply disciplined agile, to focus on delivery. Eight of the scale factors: team size, geographical distribution, regulatory compliance, the complexity of the organization, technical complexity, organization, distribution, complexity and discipline of the company. These factors apply to a project, and all ranges. Organizations providing flexible integration and, in some cases, disciplinary practices, the balance must take a handful of new applications that come with additional risks. 

Q: I know that geographically dispersed teams, many tools to help promote cooperation. If the combination of these tools in the respective teams benefit? We face difficult-to-face communication, and create unnecessary work or, for example, in a comfortable house in a day do you think you can allow more flexibility in work clothes?

Ambler: ASM across eight factors clearly requires a strong - not much faster expansion of crew size and geographical distribution. For example, a computer can be placed, but to comply with the regulations. So yes, some, like the tools of the Jazz development platform, useful information and tools to support the tool will automatically adapt.

DAD in the context of one of the strongest teams in the Agile enterprise information is encouraged. "Chicken", a project by senior management to know what all the rhetoric of the daily coordination meetings for developers plays well, but the large, medium and medium enterprises is totally realistic. Again, the tools for that matter, feeding projects in real-time dashboards at the portfolio level, support accurate, timely and cost effective for the Jazz platform, IBM and other tools to implement effective managers use to manage agile project teams. My experience is preferred subject to effective agile teams and not quite allows him to have to spend much time collecting measures. So yes, the most advanced tools will certainly help.

Q: A base such as a specific methodology like Scrum or XP, using the scale agile methods, unlike the current model at the beginning, or any other rapidly creates a custom solution?

Ambler: Agile strategies, the first step in the expansion project since the beginning of a disciplined life cycle of the delivery process in total to meet the rapid construction of adopting the techniques of agile in the main scale deployment of production applications. Distribution strategies (such as Extreme Programming (XP) or Scrum, the ASM expresses the basic strategies, such as Agile development) are a good starting point, but must be supported to achieve significant results. The combined life and address or the DDA as part of something like the TLC (for IT project teams) or Harmony / ESW (if it is appropriate to begin Organizations Team Systems Engineering) have already done.

Read the Agile software delivery for any size team: Q & A with Scott Ambler of this interview.