Announcing Capability Counts 2017 Presentation: 20-Day Countdown to SCAMPI A

Dear Readers,

The good times are about to roll!  CMMI Institute’s Capability Counts 2017, our industry’s premier conference for performance improvement, Agile and CMMI, kicks off next week in the Washington, DC area, with in-depth learning opportunities for using the CMMI to improve organizational performance and increase capability!

As you know if you’ve been reading our blog this month, Broadsword is delivering eight presentations at the event I like to call “The Greatest Show on Earth.”  One presentation in particular you won’t want to miss is Cathy Henderson’s “20 Days Out – NOW WHAT?  Countdown To SCAMPI A” on Tue, May 16th, 9:00 AM - 9:40 AM.

Cathy and I had a chance for a little Q&A recently:

CMMI Appraiser: Why “20 Days Out”?

Cathy: To use a juggling metaphor, the 20-day mark is the critical point that represents all of the balls being in the air at once. At 4 weeks before the scheduled SCAMPI A, organizations are conducting Appraisal Team Training and the Readiness Review; they are collecting appraisal evidence, scheduling interviews, and of course still maintaining their day jobs! There is a lot going on, and folks need a good strategy to be successful. My presentation shares this strategy.

CMMI Appraiser: What is the big problem organizations typically are facing when they get to the 20-day mark?

Cathy: Most organizations are not very well prepared at that critical point. Unprepared organizations put stress on their teams and have to scramble to the finish line, if they can make it without postponing.  It’s not a good way to market the valuable processes designed to make their organization better.

In “20 Day Countdown to SCAMPI,” any organization that is preparing for an appraisal will understand the best method to plan and monitor tasks while avoiding major pitfalls that may affect the success of the SCAMPI... and sanity of their teams!

CMMI Appraiser: What solutions have people tried, but failed?

Cathy: People try to prepare for the SCAMPI at the same time they are deploying processes and training project teams. They do this because they have underestimated the planning piece and associated dependencies, a mistake that often leads to failure.

CMMI Appraiser: What are some leading indicators that a CMMI appraisal is heading toward a disaster?

Cathy: If an organization has not finished deploying standard processes, then projects cannot produce outputs, and appraisal teams cannot collect evidence. That’s a danger sign.

CMMI Appraiser: What are some leading indicators that a CMMI appraisal is heading toward success?

Cathy: There has been a plan with tasks, milestones, and it has been monitored as well as shared with the Lead Appraiser. Now you’re on the right track!

CMMI Appraiser: What is an “a-ha” moment people will get from your presentation?

Cathy: Look to the CMMI Model and the processes developed to guide you towards a successful SCAMPI.

As a bonus, here’s my Best Kept Secret: If you have applied PP, PMC, GP 2.10 and M&A to your SCAMPI planning process, you are on Easy Street!

CMMI Appraiser: Thank you, Cathy! I hope our readers will join us for your presentation next week for Capabilty Counts 2017. For those who haven’t purchased a ticket, there’s still time to register here.

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.

What are the Gamers' Alley sessions at Capability Counts 2017?

Hey, CMMI Appraiser, What are the Gamers'Alley sessions at Capability Counts 2017? ~ Software and Engineering People Everywhere

Hey, all you good people of the software industry! One of the reasons I'm so passionate about Capability Counts 2017 is all the great opportunities we'll have to learn from (and with) one another. Like "Gamers' Alley," for instance. Ross Timmerman, from Broadsword’s Performance Innovation Team, is presenting two sessions of Gamers’ Alley at the conference. Gamers' Alley is an innovative, hands-on learning environment for experiencing breakthroughs in performance ...

But let's let Ross tell it.

Take it away, Ross Timmerman!

CMMI Appraiser: Welcome, Ross! Please enlighten our readers. What is Gamers' Alley?

Ross: Gamer's Alley is a fun and fast-paced way to learn about key concepts at the core of CMMI and Agile without really knowing that you're doing that while you play. It's noisy, chaotic, messy and intense all at the same time, much like working on a project.

CMMI Appraiser: What are some of the big a-ha moments people get at Gamer's Alley?

Ross: One big a-ha moment is when the gamers grasp the massive power of reflection and working together to get better early and often. It's so different than doing lessons learned at the end of a multi-year project. Another big a-ha moment comes when the concept of understanding value from the perspective of the user (customer), and then intentionally delivering value to the user (customer) as rapidly as possible creates questions about the value of thousand line project plans for multi year projects. Change happens so fast that we can't predict what will happen in a month much less a year.

CMMI Appraiser: What is the most astonishing thing you've seen happen at Gamer's Alley?

Ross: The most astonishing thing I see are the quiet, deliberative, engineering types throwing all that off, and diving in with wild abandon. Let's face it, work should be fun. If it's not, maybe we should buy some Legos!

CMMI Appraiser: Thanks, Ross! I hope everyone will come check out Gamers' Alley for this fun way to learn about improving performance.

See you at Capability Counts!

Register here.


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.

Who Else Needs CMMI Training?

Hey, CMMI Appraiser, we're looking at adopting the CMMI and getting CMMI training as a way to give us more control over the way we do our work. Can CMMI really help in this direction? If so, as QA, I'll sign up. Also, can you tell me who else from our organization needs CMMI training? ~ Cathy B, QA

Hey, Cathy - yes, the CMMI can and will give you more control over the way you do your work. Without CMMI, you can feel like you're just being dragged along ...

You can take control of the way you do your work by signing up for “Introduction to CMMI-DEV v1.3,” a three-day CMMI Institute-authorized training class on June 6-8 in Arlington, Virginia.

When: June 6, 2017 @8:30am – June 8, 2017 @1:00pm
Where: Arlington, Virginia (outside of Washington, DC)
Cost: $1300 (that’s more than 30% off!)
How to register: Click here!

As to your question "who else from our organization should take CMMI training?" the class is open to all IT leaders, software engineers, software developers, project managers, business analysts and line managers.

Your teammates NEED to take CMMI Training when …

• Your company is interested in improving software and engineering performance
• Your management wants an approach to remedy consistently late or over-budget projects
• Your team needs a way to make its work sustainable and scaleable

Your teammates are REQUIRED to take CMMI Training when …

• You intend to participate in a SCAMPI Appraisal team
• You wish to become a CMMI Lead Appraiser

The CMMI is designed to give you more control over how things are going and what you need to do to get better.  So take the first step to taking control of your work.

Hope this helps, Cathy. Register now, and we'll see you in class!

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 running a successful CMMI program.

The #1 Reason I'm Going (Back) to Capability Counts This Year: To Build Stronger Relationships with Key CMMI Institute Leaders

Hey, CMMI Appraiser - will we get a chance to meet some of the CMMI Institute leaders at Capability Counts this year? ~ CMMI program sponsor in Maryland

Dear Readers, 

Get those bags packed!  It’s almost time to head out to the Washington, DC area for Capability Counts for indepth learning about using the CMMI to improve organizational performance! But before we go, I have one final thought to help you make the best use of your time at Capability Counts 2017.

Today our countdown of the Top 5 Reasons to Attend has worked all the way down to #1. 

Drum roll, please! The #1 Reason to Attend Capability Counts 2017 this year is …

To build stronger relationships with CMMI Institute leaders.

Whether you’re new to the CMMI Conference, or are a regular attendee of our industry’s premier event on process improvement and the CMMI, introducing yourself to your hosts is not only the polite thing to do, it is one of the best reasons for going to the Capability Counts. Especially this year, when key CMMI Institute leaders will be in attendance.

Space on this blog is limited, so I’d like to call attention to five of the many important and influential people that you’ll want to be sure to meet at the Conference. They are:

1. Kirk Botula, CEO of CMMI Institute. Kirk is a team-builder, visionary and just an all-around terrific guy. Meeting with Kirk will give you peace of mind that the CMMI is alive and well and has a strong future. You’ll get insight into his vision for how the CMMI will grow, evolve, sustain and be successful over time.

2. Dan Torens, COO. Dan’s in charge of managing product releases and executing strategy, and can help end-users get a feel for how the CMMI Institute operates, how its future products will be released and what some of the major internal projects might be.

3. Rawdon (“Rusty”) Young. Rusty is a key player and an invaluable resource. He is involved in the hands-on creation of new products and next-generation releases of the CMMI. Talk to Rusty about your questions on CMMI, DMM, and SCAMPI.

4. Katie Tarara, Manager of Partner and Client Services. As every CMMI Partner learns, there is no better person to connect with at the CMMI Institute than Katie. Katie is all about listening. She loves to reach out to Partners and end-users for their suggestions and ideas on making the CMMI Institute even better.

5. Chavonne Hoyle, Director of Marketing. Chavonne is the Institute’s chief buzz-builder and also has responsibility for the conference. You’ll find Chavonne a joy to know!

As key representatives of the CMMI Institute at Capability Counts, Kirk, Dan, Rusty, Katie and Chavonne are a big part of the face of a product lines that we use every day. If you are a CMMI user – or are considering adopting the Model – you’ll want to get to know them and tap into their vast expertise. If you are a CMMI Institute Partner, it’s important to meet with these leaders, so you can join us in working more closely with them on reinforcing the brand. Capability Counts is the perfect place to do that.

While I don’t have space to write about ALL of the great people at the CMMI Institute, I’d also encourage you to connect with everyone on the CMMI Institute team.

Other great folks you don’t want to miss at Capability Counts this year are the leaders of the many general sessions and workshops of the Conference. These CMMI users are on the front lines of process improvement and performance acceleration, so you get practical, relevant and valuable learning experiences straight from the ones who know!

From Broadsword, you’ll have an opportunity to meet our speakers:

Jeff Dalton: Featured Presentation – Stability, Agility, and The Capable Organization; AND Holacracy – Abolish Hierarchy while Leveraging CMMI to Radically Change Your Organization

Ross Timmerman: Gamers’ Alley

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

Laura Adkins: The Buy-In Effect – How Getting Alignment Can Get Your CMMI Adoption UnStuck

Tim Zeller: Agile Performance Management

Cathy Henderson: 20 Days to SCAMPI A – How to get to the Finish Line and Keep Your Sanity

And that’s it, my friends! Those are my Top 5 Reasons to Attend Capability Counts – and there are many more reasons that you are sure to discover on your own. I’m looking forward to hearing about YOUR experience.

Register here.

See you in our nation’s capital!

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

Jeff Dalton is a Certified SCAMPI Lead Appraiser, Certified CMMI nstructor, 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.

The #2 Reason to Attend Capability Counts 2017: To Improve Organizational Performance

Hey, CMMI Appraiser, what can I tell my boss about why she should send us to Capability Counts this year? ~ CMMI sponsor in Florida

Dear Readers,

Time flies, and if you don't convince your boss soon about why she should send your team to Capability Counts this year, the opportunity may soar away without you! Capability Counts 2017 (a/k/a SEPGNA, a/k/a The CMMI Conference) is coming up fast, on May 16-17, 2017.

If your boss has expressed concern that it might not be worth your while to attend, that's actually a good sign. She just needs a better understanding of the value, which is not unusual, I've found. Whether you are just starting to consider adopting the CMMI for your organization, or already have extensive experience with the Model – you want to know whether this year’s CMMI experience is right for you.

Tell your boss to be concerned no more! As a veteran attendee, regular speaker at Capability Counts and other industry conferences, and longtime practitioner of the CMMI, I feel so strongly about the value of the Conference that I’ve developed a list of Top 5 Reasons to attend Capability Counts 2017, and we’ve been counting them down.  Today we're down to the penultimate reason!

Drum roll, please! Reason #2 is …

To improve organizational performance.

As you know if you’ve attended the Conference in the past, Capability Counts is the premier organizational performance improvement conference. Hundreds of professionals come from around the world come to learn, network and explore solutions to their performance challenges. It’s such an amazing event that I like to call it “the greatest show on earth!”

This year, the show will be even better! Our host, the CMMI Institute, has been working hard to make sure this year’s Conference has something for everyone who attends, wherever you are in your professional journey. The Program Committee has created three days (including the PreConference sessions on Monday, May 15th) of content focused on positively impacting the way you do your work.

The format is designed to help you explore using the CMMI to improve performance through first-person case studies, interactive workshops, and powerful presentations that can help you to get started with CMMI or take your organization to new levels of success.

Whether your interest is multi-model, practical process improvement, high maturity, agile, DevOps, Services, Acquisition, or any other discipline, you will find ample opportunities to dive into the principles and practices that can help your organization better harness the power of performance improvement with the CMMI. Check out the Capability Counts schedule.

The variety of learning opportunities alone is incredible. You can expect to come away with real life, practical and implementable ideas. For full details about the Conference logistics and to register, navigate around the Capability Counts site.

The Capability Counts is a terrific opportunity to spend two days focusing on how you can  get better at what you do. For some, this will be reason enough to attend this year’s conference. Others may be preparing for their SCAMPI Appraisals, want to learn how to scale Agile, or just want to learn more about CMMI.  Why will YOU go?

The countdown continues!  Be sure to check back soon for Reason #1.

Register here:

We 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.