Why Attend Capability Counts 2016? Reason #2: To Be with Great Organizations!

All hands on deck! We're racing our sloop Improvement into the Harbor of Higher Performance for Capability Counts 2016, the world-renowned capability-building party for the software and engineering industry on May 10-11 in Annapolis.  We need your help to make it a winner!

Haven’t decided to join in on the fun yet?  No problem!  I’ve been counting down my Top 5 Reasons to Attend Capability Counts 2016 to aid your decision-making process. If you missed it ...

Reason #5 is “To Build Capability!”

Reason #4 is “To Play Agile Games!”

Reason #3 is “To Crown a Capability Champion!”

And today we're down to the second reason to be at Capability Counts 2016.  Drum roll please …

Reason #2: Capability Counts 2016 is where you can be with great organizations.

One thing you can count on, at Capability Counts 2016, you’re among friends. We don’t think it’s boastful to share stories of success and capability building. Rather, we want to find out from each other what’s working. So if you are doing something with performance innovation and and process improvement that is really helping put your company on the path to greatness, your peers would love to hear about it.

People will be coming to Capability Counts 2016 from a variety of backgrounds. Some are Certified Lead Appraisers seeking to get better at guiding their customers. Some are CMMI program sponsors who are looking for innovative and creative solutions for delivering on-time, high-quality software to their customers back home. Others are just learning how to spell “CMMI” and "agile" for the first time.

What we all share is a common interest in process, performance, and organizational improvement.

And here’s a shocker. Some of the conference attendees are actively looking for a potential solutions provider. If you are a CMMI Institute Partner, it would probably be a good idea to be at least a little bit visible, would you agree?

One way to increase your visibility is to take advantage of the sponsorship or exhibiting opportunities Capability Counts 2016 offers. Another option is simply to drop anchor and talk with folks about what you do. That’s what we’re there for!

I attended my first SEPG conference many years ago. You know what I’ve been saying ever since? Come to the conference for the technical sessions, but stay for the networking. You never know when you’re talking with your next big client – or your next Partner.

Capability Counts 2016 is a great place to be in the company of great companies.  Register here.

See you at the show!

Need more reasons to go? Stay tuned for Reason #1!

Like this blog? Forward to your nearest engineering or software exec!

Jeff Dalton is a Certified SCAMPI Lead Appraiser, Certified CMMI Instructor, author and consultant with years of real-world experience with the CMMI in all types of organizations. Jeff has taught thousands of students in CMMI trainings and has received an aggregate satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5 from his students.

Visit www.broadswordsolutions.com for more information.

Why Attend Capability Counts 2016? Reason #3: To Crown a Capability Champion!

Captain’s report: The good sloop Improvement has set a proper course for Capability Counts 2016 (formerly known as SEPG North America). We will arrive in Annapolis, Maryland, hale and hearty and ready to party on May 10-11!

For those who haven’t yet decided to join us, I’ve been counting down my Top 5 Reasons to Attend Capability Counts 2016. If you missed it, Reason #5 was “To Build Capability!”  Reason #4 was “To Play Agile Games.”  And here we go with Reason #3.

Drum roll please …

Reason #3 to Attend Capability Counts 2016: To Crown a Capability Champion!

Another new feature of Capability Counts 2016 is The Capability Challenge.

The Capability Challenge is awesome!

A business competition that began in November in a special webinar broadcast, The Capability Challenge, hosted by the CMMI Institute, matches the best against the best in a battle of strengths. The contestants, also known as the “Capability Challengers”, have been competing for the best business success story through a series of webinars. The sparks have been flying!

In each round, four companies presented their success stories in 15-minute segments on an hour-long webinar. These software and engineering innovators discussed ways they sustained process capability in a diminishing environment, improved the effectiveness of global service management delivery processes, increased productivity and reduced costs, and more. At the end of each webinar, attendees voted on the best capability improvement story.

The final showdown happens at Capability Counts 2016 with a Special Panel, the Capability Challenge Finals, where the four remaining Challengers will present their stories in front of the entire community – and YOU will vote for the Capability Champion.

Don’t miss this incredible event! Come to Capability Counts 2016, watch the competition, hear the stories of building capability, and help us discover our 2016 Capability Challenge Champion. The winner will be announced at the closing of the conference.

See you there!

Need more reasons to go? Stay tuned for Reason #2!

Like this blog? Forward to your nearest engineering or software exec!

Jeff Dalton is a Certified SCAMPI Lead Appraiser, Certified CMMI Instructor, author and consultant with years of real-world experience with the CMMI in all types of organizations. Jeff has taught thousands of students in CMMI trainings and has received an aggregate satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5 from his students.

Visit www.broadswordsolutions.com for more information.

Why Attend Capability Counts 2016? Reason #4: To Play Agile Games!

Ahoy there! The sloop Improvement is all set to sail for the annual conference I like to call the “Greatest Show on Earth!” Yes, Capability Counts 2016 happens on May 10-11 in one of the oldest ports in the New World, Annapolis, Maryland (est. 1649), and we'd love for you to be there!

To help everybody get their sea legs for the event, we decided to count down the Top 5 Reasons to Attend Capability Counts 2016. If you missed it, reason #5 was “To Build Capability!”  Today we’re tacking our course for process improvement and performance innovation with Reason #4.

Drum roll please! Reason #4 is …

Play Agile Games!

Reason #4: Capability Counts 2016 is a place where you can acquire and develop skills while playing agile games

So much is new for Capability Counts 2016. But of all the new events, one of the busiest and most hands-on is sure to be Gamer’s Alley!

Gamer’s Alley

Gamer’s Alley is a fun, competitive environment, where engineering executives and professionals can learn new agile skills in the ultimate learning experience. If you love a test of wits and get fired up over the idea of having a coach helping you win, this is the session for you. You’ll learn more about collaboration, iterative delivery, and continuous improvement in a hands-on environment that leverages CMMI and Agile methods. Your coaches and facilitators are experienced Game Masters who are also CMMI and Agile coaches and instructors. Make sure you stop by and check out concurrent events including the XP Game, the Collaboration Game, and more! There will be prizes and plenty of fun.

Who should come to the Gamer’s Alley Track? Whether you’re just starting your capability journey, learning how to use CMMI in an Agile environment, or a seasoned veteran, you’ll take away valuable lessons that you can use right away.

Here are the bios of the Expert Agile Coaches who will be working with you in Gamer’s Alley:

Jeff Dalton, Broadsword

Pedro Castro Henriques, Strongstep

César Duarte, Scraim & Strongstep

Register here for Capability Counts 2016.

Need more reasons to go? Stay tuned for Reason #3!

Like this blog? Forward to your nearest engineering or software exec!
Jeff Dalton is a Certified SCAMPI Lead Appraiser, Certified CMMI Instructor, author and consultant with years of real-world experience with the CMMI in all types of organizations. Jeff has taught thousands of students in CMMI trainings and has received an aggregate satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5 from his students.

Visit www.broadswordsolutions.com for more information.

Capability Counts 2016 Podcast #3: Alex Stall!

On Monday I was lucky enough to snag Alex Stall for our third Podcast for Capability Counts 2016! Alex is the CMMI Institute's CMMI practice leader, and he'll be appearing at the conference May 10-11 in Annapolis, MD.  Register today!

If you want a special "Ask the CMMI Appraiser" discount code, send me an email at appraiser@broadswordsolutions.com.

To register for the conference, go to www.cmmiinstitute.com/conferences today!

Capability Counts DISCOUNT CODES are here!

Thinking of coming to Capability Counts 2016 in Annapolis May 10-11?

This conference, formerly known as "SEPG," will be a collection of several hundred process improvement and CMMI experts from around the world - and you definitely want to be there!

Your CFO will be happy to hear that The Appraiser can give you $200 smackers off the registration fee!

Message me at appraiser@broadswordsolutions.com for your code.

Register for the conference at www.cmmiinstitute.com/conferences

Capability Counts 2016 Podcast #2: Becky Fitzerald!

Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing the talented and accomplished (and nice!) Becky Fitzgerald, who will be a featured speaker at this year's Capability Counts conference.  Listen below:

If you want a special "Ask the CMMI Appraiser" discount code, send me an email at appraiser@broadswordsolutions.com.

To register for the conference, go to www.cmmiinstitute.com/conferences today!

Capability Counts 2016 Podcast #1: Tom Cagely

Last week I had the honor of interviewing Tom Cagely, Podcaster, consultant, and VP of DCG, on his upcoming speech at Capability Counts 2016 in Annapolis.  Tom will be speaking on May 10 - don't miss it!

Register for Capability Counts 2016 at www.cmmiinstitute.com/conferences today!

Email me for your own private "Ask the CMMI Appraiser" discount code!

Capability Counts 2016 is coming to Annapolis May 10-11!

Capability Counts 2016 is coming!

Join us May 10-11 in Annapolis, MD to hear over 50 speakers, play games, take classes, and network with other practitioners that are passionate about increasing professional capability!

I'll be speaking on Tuesday, and leading the "Gamer's Alley" track!  Don't miss it!

Why Attend Capability Counts 2016? Reason #5: To Build Capability!

All hands on deck! It's time to get ready for Capability Counts 2016 in Annapolis, Maryland, on May 10-11!

I’ve got to admit, what's the first thought that flashes through my mind when I think about being in Annapolis next month? Seafood!  Ah, delicious, Maryland Crab Soup! Crab cake sandwiches! Oysters on the half-shell with horseradish and a dash of Old Bay Seasoning. If you love shellfish and authentic, local cuisine, you surely are in for a treat this year. For seafood, Annapolis is heaven on earth.

But just as there is more than one way to crack open a steamed Blue Crab, there are many great reasons to attend Capability Counts 2016. For the days leading up to the conference, I’ll be counting down the Top 5 Reasons to be there. So let’s get started with Reason #5.

Reason #5: Capability Counts 2016 is a place where you can consume vast quantities of knowledge toward building capability (and not gain any weight!)

Yes, based on my past experience with this event I called “The Greatest Show on Earth) (f/k/a SEPG conference, f/k/a CMMI Congress), attendees of Capability Counts 2016 can expect to consume a lot of knowledge about building capability:

• Expert Insights: You’ll have opportunities to attend presentation after presentation by industry experts from all over the world, and to connect with organizations and individuals looking to build capability and elevate performance. 
• Special Track: There’s even a special track that helps you learn more about how to start your capability journey and will put you in contact with peers who face business challenges similar to yours.
• Best Practices: Best of all, you’ll get to acquire best practices and hear success stories from professionals who have decades of experience helping organizations build their capabilities.

It’s a pretty impressive spread. Learning experiences range from formal presentations to tutorials to workshops to informal conversations and social interactions. We’ll share strategies and tactics, tips and techniques, best practices to adopt, and pitfalls to avoid.  New this year will be a "Gamers' Alley" track and a panel of Capability Challengers (more on these in a future post).  And we’ll have the truly unforgettable experience of building our capability, together.

Yes, Capability Counts 2016 offers a veritable CMMI feast. But what did you expect?  When so many great people bring to the table their passion for process improvement, performance innovation and CMMI, it’s an all-you-can-consume buffet.

Sign up for Capability Counts 2016.

Need more reasons to go? Stay tuned for Reason #4!

Like this blog? Forward to your nearest engineering or software exec!

Jeff Dalton is a Certified SCAMPI Lead Appraiser, Certified CMMI Instructor, author and consultant with years of real-world experience with the CMMI in all types of organizations. Jeff has taught thousands of students in CMMI trainings and has received an aggregate satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5 from his students.

Visit www.broadswordsolutions.com for more information.

Can I take a CMMI Training class in San Diego, and get PDUs?

Hey, CMMI Appraiser ... Help! My boss says I need to take a CMMI Training class in San Diego. Can I do that? Also, as a PMP, I’m interested in knowing whether there will be any PDUs for your classes ~ Paul F.

Hey, Paul … yes, and yes!  (Don't you love it when the answer is Yes?  If only everything in life was so affirmative!)

Designed for executives, engineers and business professionals, our CMMI Training classes help participants learn use the CMMI as a set of guidelines to improve organizational performance, as well as how to design a flexible architecture for continuous process improvement. YES, we have a class in San Diego in June, and YES, you can receive 21 PDUs towards your PMP certification upon completion. So join us!

Register here: Introduction to CMMI-DEV Training

June 1 @ 8:00 am - June 3 @ 5:00 pm

San Diego, CA

As you may know from your boss, Paul, Introduction to CMMI Training classes are required for those who wish to participate in a SCAMPI Appraisal, want to enroll in Intermediate Concepts of CMMI, and/or undergo SCAMPI Lead Appraiser training or CMMI Instructor training. they are recommended for anyone with an interest in improving software and engineering performance. This 3-day class is hands-on, interactive, and a whole lot of fun, so sign up and tell a friend!

We hope to see you in San Diego!

Like this blog? Forward to your nearest engineering or software exec!

Jeff Dalton is a Certified SCAMPI Lead Appraiser, Certified CMMI Instructor, author and consultant with years of real-world experience with the CMMI in all types of organizations. Jeff has taught thousands of students in CMMI trainings and has received an aggregate satisfaction score of 4.97 out of 5 from his students.

Visit www.broadswordsolutions.com for more information.