Friday, April 28, 2017

The #3 Reason to Attend Capability Counts 2017: To Be an Agile Gamer!

Hey, CMMI Appraiser – What does Capability Counts 2017 offer Agile teams?
~ Agile Scrum Training teammate, State IT organization

Hello, my friends!

In my stops in software and engineering organizations all around the country (and planet), I’ve been talking a lot about Capability Counts 2017, which is being held near Washington, DC this year. So, in honor of the historic cadence of nation’s most sacred document … allow me to borrow a phrase from Thomas Jefferson.

We hold these truths to be self-evident:

  • Capability Counts 2017 was formerly known as SEPG NA, The CMMI Conference and (by this CMMI Appraiser, anyway) “The Greatest Show on Earth!”
  • The industry's premier event for Organizational Performance Improvement will be held in Alexandria, VA on May 6-8, 2017
  • We would love to see you there!

And now, on with the countdown. As we do every year here on Ask the CMMI Appraiser, we’re listing the Top 5 Reasons to Attend Capability Counts 2017. If you missed it, reason #5 was “To Build Capability!

Reason #4 was “To Take Advantage of All Our Nation’s Capital Has to Offer.”

Drum roll please!

The #3 Reason to Attend Capability Counts 2017 is …


To Be an Agile Gamer!

Yes, back by popular demand, “Gamer’s Alley” promises to be a highlight of the conference once again this year. If you’ve never heard of Gamer’s Alley, it’s a great way for anyone interested in Agile methods to acquire and develop skills while playing agile games.

How does Gamer’s Alley work?

Gamer’s Alley works by offering a fun, competitive environment, where engineering executives and professionals can learn new agile skills in the ultimate learning experience.

Do you love a test of wits? Do you get fired up over the idea of having a coach helping you win? My friend, 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.

Do you have to know what Agile is to participate in Gamer’s Alley?

There are experience restrictions at Gamer’s Alley! This is where you get experience, in a safe, controlled atmosphere. 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.

Register here for Capability Counts 2017.

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.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

The #4 Reason to Attend Capability Counts 2017: To Take Advantage of All Our Nation’s Capital Has to Offer

Hey, CMMI Appraiser - Should we send our team to Capability Counts 2017 this year? 
~ a small business client that provides IT Services to the Federal Government

Hello, my friends!

Absolutely you should send your team to the big annual industry event I like to call "The Greatest Show on Earth"! We'll be there, celebrating our umpteenth (yes, that's an official statistic) time that we'll be presenting our strategies, techniques, tips and tactics about organizational performance innovation, Agile and CMMI to the most passionate group of engineering and software executives and professionals on the planet, and we'd love to have you join us. To help you decide, we're counting down the Top 5 Reasons to Attend Capability Counts 2017, and today we’re down to Reason #4.

If you are just joining us for the countdown, here’s what you missed:


And now, we're on to Reason #4. Drum roll please!



The #4 Reason to Attend Capability Counts 2017 is …

To Take Advantage of All Our Nation’s Capital Has to Offer

As you may know, each year a different, unique American city plays host to the annual Capability Counts conference. This year’s picturesque setting is Alexandria, VA, located just across the Potomac from our nation’s capital and a stunning destination in its own right. Rich in history and bustling with energy, this northern Virginia hotspot has something for everyone:

  • Before the White House, there was Mount Vernon. Less than ten miles from Alexandria, visit the home of our nation’s first president.
  • An incredible selection of restaurants, many featuring outdoor dining
  • Hop onto the Metro and make your way into D.C. to visit some of the new monuments that may have opened since your last visit, like the MLK Jr Memorial and the National WWII Memorial
  • Gorgeous public gardens
  • Abundant historical military sites, including Fort Stevens, the Lee Mansion, and the Lincoln Cottage
  • Take a spring evening stroll along the Potomac, and stop for a cocktail or dessert at a riverfront bistro
  • Tour the Newseum in nearby D.C. to learn about the history of our nation’s press
  • Take part in one of Alexandria’s many walking tours, featuring costumed guides and local experts
  • Visit King Street, Alexandria’s charming shopping destination

…and much more. There are many compelling amazing reasons to attend this year’s conference; between the excellent technical learning, influential networking opportunities, and historic location, you’ll find yourself immersed in knowledge and opportunity.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Register today

Still undecided? 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 https::/broadswordsolutions.com for more information.

Monday, April 24, 2017

The Countdown to Capability Returns! Top 5 Reasons to Attend Capability Counts 2017. Reason #5: To Build Capability

Hello again, my friends!  Are you ready for our industry’s premier event? Yes, it’s almost time for Capability Counts 2017 in Alexandria, Virginia, on May 16-17 – and I for one can’t wait!

To help the time go by faster, as I do every year, I’ll be counting down the Top 5 Reasons to attend. So let’s get started with Reason #5.


Reason #5: Acquire valuable information about building capability

There’s a very good reason I call this event, “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Formerly known as SEPG conference, and f/k/a CMMI Congress, Capability Counts 2017 offers attendees a banquet of information about building capability:


  • Opening Keynote presentation from Greg Williams, Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA
  • 80+ speakers will share their knowledge of CMMI adoption and capability improvement experience
  • 7 Tracks with captivating sessions - customize your schedule to fit your business needs

There’s a lot here for you. 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.  Also we will be reprising the popular "Gamers' Alley" track.  And we’ll have the truly unforgettable experience of building our capability, together.

Yes, Capability Counts 2017 offers the best of the best in performance improvement and building capability. But what did you expect?  When so many great people get together around their shared passion for process improvement, performance innovation and CMMI, cool things happen.

Will you join us?

Register for Capability Counts

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 https::/broadswordsolutions.com for more information.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Get Your DISCOUNT CODE for Capability Counts 2017

Capability Counts DISCOUNT CODES are here!

Thinking of coming to Capability Counts 2017 in Alexandria, VA on May 16-17?

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 here.

Hope to see you at Capability Counts 2017!

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 about engineering strategy, performance innovation, software process improvement and running a successful CMMI program.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Capability Counts 2017 is coming to Washington, DC May 16-17!

Capability Counts 2017 is coming!

Join us May 16-17 in Alexandria, VA to hear over 50 speakers, play games, take classes, and network with other practitioners that are passionate about increasing professional capability!


Once again, this year Broadsword will be prominently featured at the conference. Here is a rundown of who’s speaking from Broadsword, when, and on what topics:

Monday, May 15th
Jeff Dalton (8:30-11:30AM) Pre-Conference Half-Day Tutorial: Agile Learning Experience

Tuesday, May 16th 
Ross Timmerman (9:00AM): Gamers’ Alley

Julie Calfin (9:45AM): The Great Service Multiplier - How Our Consulting Firm Doubled Revenues and Reduced Costs by Implementing CMMI-SVC

Jeff Dalton (11:15AM): Holacracy – Abolish Hierarchy while Leveraging CMMI to Radically Change Your Organization

Darian Poinsetta (3:30PM): Finally! A model for evaluating agile performance – The Agile Performance Holarchy

Wednesday, May 17th 
Laura Adkins (10:30AM): The Buy-In Effect – How Getting Alignment Can Get Your CMMI Adoption UnStuck

Ross Timmerman (1:15PM): Gamers’ Alley

Tim Zeller (1:15PM): Agile Performance Management

Jeff Dalton (2:45PM) Featured Presentation: Stability, Agility, and The Capable Organization

So come to Alexandria , Virginia and learn alongside hundreds of executives and professionals like you who are focused on the fact that CMMIAgile and Performance Improvement are all about the transformation of the culture of your company. I’ve got a lot of exciting strategies, tactics and insights to share in my presentation, and I’d hate for you to miss out.

Register now!

We hope to see you at Capability Counts 2017!