| Delivering Business Outcomes Through Technology |
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Iteration Route
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Hello and welcome to a site that contains a collection of technology oriented, business
management approaches that I've developed over the last two decades of experience.
management approaches that I've developed over the last two decades of experience.
I am an Information Technology (IT) professional based in Houston, Texas with more
than 20 years experience in the management and architecture of large scale
technology solutions for a variety of industries. While I have a technology background I
also have degrees in Economics and Business Administration along with extensive
experience in understanding and optimizing throughput through aspects of an
organization's value chain.
I have experience managing projects and staff within several disciplines of IT including
Enterprise Architecture, Network Operations, Software Development and Account
Management. In addition, I have extensive experience managing Profit and Loss,
Budgets and defining Strategic objectives to ensure profitable and scalable
organizations.
One of my primary interests is in increasing the throughput between business ideas
and successful technology implementations. I draw upon a range of practical industry
approaches such as Lean, Agile and the Unified Process to accomplish these goals
but more importantly I draw upon considerable pragmatic experience. .
I see Information Technology moving into a new phase of its evolution. I believe that the
days of having one common IT organization responsible for supporting business
development initiatives AND maintenance and support of existing systems moving to a
more responsive and adaptive model. IT Operations organizations managing classic
'feeds and speeds' and which will increasingly turn to the services provided by
outsourced Data centers and a new Business Technology organization focused on
business outcomes embedded within Business units and overseen by a Chief
Operations Officer with visibility across all of an organization's value chains.
than 20 years experience in the management and architecture of large scale
technology solutions for a variety of industries. While I have a technology background I
also have degrees in Economics and Business Administration along with extensive
experience in understanding and optimizing throughput through aspects of an
organization's value chain.
I have experience managing projects and staff within several disciplines of IT including
Enterprise Architecture, Network Operations, Software Development and Account
Management. In addition, I have extensive experience managing Profit and Loss,
Budgets and defining Strategic objectives to ensure profitable and scalable
organizations.
One of my primary interests is in increasing the throughput between business ideas
and successful technology implementations. I draw upon a range of practical industry
approaches such as Lean, Agile and the Unified Process to accomplish these goals
but more importantly I draw upon considerable pragmatic experience. .
I see Information Technology moving into a new phase of its evolution. I believe that the
days of having one common IT organization responsible for supporting business
development initiatives AND maintenance and support of existing systems moving to a
more responsive and adaptive model. IT Operations organizations managing classic
'feeds and speeds' and which will increasingly turn to the services provided by
outsourced Data centers and a new Business Technology organization focused on
business outcomes embedded within Business units and overseen by a Chief
Operations Officer with visibility across all of an organization's value chains.
One of my areas of specialty is the application of iterative development techniques
leveraging the Rational Unified Process and Agile methodologies (XP, Scrum,
Crystal, Adaptive Software Development, etc) and Lean Techniques. As a
consultant for many years I have considerable experience in customizing the Project
and Delivery processes for organizations and blending the techniques above with their
own internal methodologies and cultures. Lately I've become very interested in how
techinques like Executable Requirements along with Test Driven Development and
Continuous Integration can substantially increase software delivery cycle times and
quality.
I have helped a number of large organizations develop customized Software
Development Lifecycle (SDLC) based on the RUP and I have considerable process
definition skills across all disciplines of the SDLC and Rational Unified Process. I also
have considerable experience as a Project Manager applying these techniques on
projects. I believe strongly in Agile techniques and I am an effective Agile Project
Manager. I have been able to effectively combine RUP and Agile Project Management
techniques to create a pragmatic approach to software development project
management. I have extensive experience providing RUP and Agile mentoring on both
projects and programs as both a RUP and Agile Project Manager.
leveraging the Rational Unified Process and Agile methodologies (XP, Scrum,
Crystal, Adaptive Software Development, etc) and Lean Techniques. As a
consultant for many years I have considerable experience in customizing the Project
and Delivery processes for organizations and blending the techniques above with their
own internal methodologies and cultures. Lately I've become very interested in how
techinques like Executable Requirements along with Test Driven Development and
Continuous Integration can substantially increase software delivery cycle times and
quality.
I have helped a number of large organizations develop customized Software
Development Lifecycle (SDLC) based on the RUP and I have considerable process
definition skills across all disciplines of the SDLC and Rational Unified Process. I also
have considerable experience as a Project Manager applying these techniques on
projects. I believe strongly in Agile techniques and I am an effective Agile Project
Manager. I have been able to effectively combine RUP and Agile Project Management
techniques to create a pragmatic approach to software development project
management. I have extensive experience providing RUP and Agile mentoring on both
projects and programs as both a RUP and Agile Project Manager.
Before you take the advice of someone you should have some understanding of
where they've been and what they've done.
I've been working for the last 18 months at a global software consulting company
called Valtech Techonologies Inc. as the Vice-President of Delivery Services for North
America. In this role, I'm responsible for not only ensuring that we deliver success
outcomes for our clients but that we do so in a way that supports Valtech's own
business goals. This means I spend a great deal of time ensuring we're actively
recruiting the right talent to support our growth, ensuring ongoing training and support
for our teams throughout their careers at Valtech, establishment of consistent
practices and tools,business measurements that provide indiicators of our corporate
health and enabling technology to support our people. Of course all this needs to be
done while accomplishing profit targets and anticipating project and client growth.
Previous I had been working for a leading enterprise IT asset management software
company called BMC Software Inc as the IT Director of Sales and Operations this
was an interesting role which focused not only on the classic Sales Force Automation,
Customer Relationship Management and Business Intelligence aspects of most Sales
organizations but also on managing Product Hierarchies and mastering as well as
Operations support to ensure on-time delivery of products. I don't think you typically
see these roles blended in this fashion but the advantage was that it provided an
end-to-end perspective from Opportunity Management to Product fulfilment.
Prior to these experiences I've had more than five years providing project
management and process consulting to clients, experience with the de-regulation of
the Canadian Utility market, more than five years working with one of the largest
telecommunication companies in Canada as they transitioned their Yellow Pages
products and established their mobile phone industry and another five years working
in the Workers' Compensation insurance industry.
I've also had a chance to live around the world in Africa, England, Canada and now
the US. As a US and Canadian citizen I have a thorough understanding of the North
American market and culture but having spent many years growing up in Africa and
going to school in England, I also appreciate first hand the flattening effects of Thomas
Friedman's The World is Flat book.
where they've been and what they've done.
I've been working for the last 18 months at a global software consulting company
called Valtech Techonologies Inc. as the Vice-President of Delivery Services for North
America. In this role, I'm responsible for not only ensuring that we deliver success
outcomes for our clients but that we do so in a way that supports Valtech's own
business goals. This means I spend a great deal of time ensuring we're actively
recruiting the right talent to support our growth, ensuring ongoing training and support
for our teams throughout their careers at Valtech, establishment of consistent
practices and tools,business measurements that provide indiicators of our corporate
health and enabling technology to support our people. Of course all this needs to be
done while accomplishing profit targets and anticipating project and client growth.
Previous I had been working for a leading enterprise IT asset management software
company called BMC Software Inc as the IT Director of Sales and Operations this
was an interesting role which focused not only on the classic Sales Force Automation,
Customer Relationship Management and Business Intelligence aspects of most Sales
organizations but also on managing Product Hierarchies and mastering as well as
Operations support to ensure on-time delivery of products. I don't think you typically
see these roles blended in this fashion but the advantage was that it provided an
end-to-end perspective from Opportunity Management to Product fulfilment.
Prior to these experiences I've had more than five years providing project
management and process consulting to clients, experience with the de-regulation of
the Canadian Utility market, more than five years working with one of the largest
telecommunication companies in Canada as they transitioned their Yellow Pages
products and established their mobile phone industry and another five years working
in the Workers' Compensation insurance industry.
I've also had a chance to live around the world in Africa, England, Canada and now
the US. As a US and Canadian citizen I have a thorough understanding of the North
American market and culture but having spent many years growing up in Africa and
going to school in England, I also appreciate first hand the flattening effects of Thomas
Friedman's The World is Flat book.
For individuals working within an IT enterprise architecture capacity (which is broader than a
specific architecture specialization such as an Object Oriented Application design) this new addition
to the website might be of value. It is an entire website that shows how to align business objectives
to IT strategies and tactics. It covers the fill range of IT services from Operations Management to
Application Development. It includes templates and examples and would be a useful starting place
for anyone responsible for implementing an Enterprise Architecture for a small to mid-sized
organization. Blended with a process definition exercise this could serve as a starting foundation for
a maturing IT organization.
specific architecture specialization such as an Object Oriented Application design) this new addition
to the website might be of value. It is an entire website that shows how to align business objectives
to IT strategies and tactics. It covers the fill range of IT services from Operations Management to
Application Development. It includes templates and examples and would be a useful starting place
for anyone responsible for implementing an Enterprise Architecture for a small to mid-sized
organization. Blended with a process definition exercise this could serve as a starting foundation for
a maturing IT organization.
Critical Success Factors
Too many times I have seen projects that have achieved remarkable things labeled as 'failures' by
some of their sponsors. Often times this is a direct result of poorly defining the Critical Success
Factors (CSFs) for a project before it is started. While a Vision document is important for
identifying the goals and scope of a project, I often develop a separate artifact which is
lighterweight and focused on what the key stakeholders view as key measures of success, or
Critical Success Factors. This template provides an 'easy to use' example of how to document the
CSFs for your project, I've also included some guidelines for the development of good CSFs.
Critical Success Factors
some of their sponsors. Often times this is a direct result of poorly defining the Critical Success
Factors (CSFs) for a project before it is started. While a Vision document is important for
identifying the goals and scope of a project, I often develop a separate artifact which is
lighterweight and focused on what the key stakeholders view as key measures of success, or
Critical Success Factors. This template provides an 'easy to use' example of how to document the
CSFs for your project, I've also included some guidelines for the development of good CSFs.
Critical Success Factors
Weighted Criteria Matrix
Have you ever been tasked with the responsibility of selecting a software product or been involved
in determining which is the best solution from several alternatives? These questions are often asked
when organizations are assessing whether they should move from one technology platform to
another, or when a merger or acquisition introduces two similar, but competing, software products
or platforms into an environment. The Weighted Criteria Matrix is a tool to help objectively
assess different products based on a weighting of the decision criteria and a ranking of each
solution relative to these criteria. This can be a poweful tool to rapidly compare products with a
large number of important criteria. Instructions are included and it can be easily modified for your
own organization or requirements. Feel free to offer comments or suggestions. Weighted Criteria
Matrix
in determining which is the best solution from several alternatives? These questions are often asked
when organizations are assessing whether they should move from one technology platform to
another, or when a merger or acquisition introduces two similar, but competing, software products
or platforms into an environment. The Weighted Criteria Matrix is a tool to help objectively
assess different products based on a weighting of the decision criteria and a ranking of each
solution relative to these criteria. This can be a poweful tool to rapidly compare products with a
large number of important criteria. Instructions are included and it can be easily modified for your
own organization or requirements. Feel free to offer comments or suggestions. Weighted Criteria
Matrix
Iteration RouteMap:
New and Improved!: The Iteration Routemap is a tool designed to help project managers and
architects develop a project iteration plan. This is a light weight tool that associates use cases and
objects/classes with an estimating approach modeled after the concepts found in Kent Beck's
eXtreme Programming approach. This tool works well for any iterative development project
following RUP or Agile development techniques. This tool can be easily modified to fit the
requirements of your project. Iteration Routemap
architects develop a project iteration plan. This is a light weight tool that associates use cases and
objects/classes with an estimating approach modeled after the concepts found in Kent Beck's
eXtreme Programming approach. This tool works well for any iterative development project
following RUP or Agile development techniques. This tool can be easily modified to fit the
requirements of your project. Iteration Routemap
| Defining Books A short walk-through of books that I consider substantially impactful in my understanding and approach to business problems and technology. |
| Applying UML and Patterns: An Introduction to Object Oriented Analysis and the Unified Process by Craig Larman |
| A practical and thorough guide to object oriented principles and their application within the Rational Unified Process. Well structured, with excellent references and some unique techniques to move requirements from use cases into real analysis using System Sequence Diagrams and Operation Contracts. |
| Larman once again dispenses invaluable advice in a pragmatic, referenceable fashion. This book should be a must read for any manager considering applying agile/iterative development techniques. |
Located in the 281 area code of Houston, Texas. Senior IT leader, RUP Project Manager (RUP PM), Agile Project Manager,
providing Agile Mentoring, RIP Mentoring and RUP / Agile Delivery services.
providing Agile Mentoring, RIP Mentoring and RUP / Agile Delivery services.
| Experience |
| Process Passions |
| Work Products |
| Agile and Iterative Development A Manager's Guide by Craig Larman |
| Although set in a manufacturing context and devoid of technology 'aids' we use today (can you imagine not having a cell phone to let your wife know where you are). However, the underlying message is important for anyone interested in management and business outcomes. Ultimately the Goal is about increasing thoroughput by understanding and measuring your bottlenecks. |
| The Goal A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eli Goldratt |
| I'm a bit of a sucker for narrative style descriptions of classic management problems and anything that blends this with five easy to remember steps is well on its way to a great book. If you manage people then this is a must-read. Its insightful and deals with very real challenges of forming, engaging and leading teams. |
| The Five Dysfunctions of a Team A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni |
Presenting at the
Houston Rational
Users Group - 04/29
on Scaling Agile.
Houston Rational
Users Group - 04/29
on Scaling Agile.
I have a new blog
sponsored by
ITToolbox focused
on Agile Project
Management.
sponsored by
ITToolbox focused
on Agile Project
Management.
Interested in creating
a Wall of Wonder for
your project. Click on
the link above to learn
more.
a Wall of Wonder for
your project. Click on
the link above to learn
more.