People & Teams

Conference Presentations

It Depends: Deciding on the Correct Ratio of Developers to Testers

Some people think there is a specific answer to the question, "What is the correct staffing ratio for developers to testers in a software development organization?" Usually, though, the only right answer is, "It depends." The answer you need depends on your situation: what you are doing, how quickly you are trying to do it, the culture you work in, and the results you desire and can tolerate. Explore the analysis involved to decide on your correct staffing ratios.
Johanna Rothman, Rothman Consulting Group, Inc.
Changing the Software Culture

Many of software's current problems stem from the pervasive culture of software organizations. This "hacker" culture glorifies rapid coding, is schedule-driven, and objects to measurement and planning. Commitments are generally missed while quality is unmeasured and unmanaged. In this presentation, Watts Humphrey describes steps to change the current software culture and its consequences. Learn how the Personal Software Process (PSP) and Team Software Process (TSP) guide engineers in planning and measuring their work. Explore the benefits of following a defined, planned, and measured process and the guidelines for making these practices more general in software organizations.
Watts Humphrey, The Software Engineering Institute
Managing Business Dynamics for Software Developers

Managing a software development project is a complex mix of many forces--market expectations, the development process, product legacy, people skills, timelines, and budget. While several of these factors may be independent or even uncontrollable, they need to be factored together for success. This is the ultimate challenge of a development manager. Using several scenarios of market and production evolution, Ram Chillarege illustrates these business dynamics. Learn to manage business dynamics through strategies while avoiding misconceptions and common traps.
Ram Chillarege, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center
Management of Outsourcing--How to Avoid Common Mistakes

One of the most challenging areas of software management is encountered in the first year after an outsourcing contract is signed. Carol Dekkers discusses the actions that can be taken by both implementation teams to ease the transition and to achieve outsourcing success. Learn of the common mistakes made involving personnel, measurement, and expectations, and obtain recommendations to increase the transition to a successful partnership.
Carol Dekkers, Quality Plus Technologies, Inc.
Golden Rules and Tools for Establishing a Quality Culture

Developing and implementing a quality program across an entire organization can be a daunting task. Managers want immediate results and value for the money they invest; software developers don't want to be bothered. Learn how to tackle this challenge head-on and discover the "golden rules" to use to help promote and manage quality in your organization.
Laura Jenkins, Lucent Technologies
Tips from the Training Tsarina

This presentation explores ways to plan and execute technical training to ensure the best possible use of resources to meet your organization's objectives. Learn how to avoid the most common problems and shortfalls, including budget woes, business relevance, and lack of commitment. Discover the most effective ways to breathe life into your organization's training program.
Anntoinette Gurvin, General Dynamics Information Systems
Relentless Application Development

Discover ways to develop and operate a team that can rapidly produce a tested, documented, and deployed application in less than three months! This presentation identifies important people, processes, and technologies that must be in place to ensure application success. Gain insight into what fails most often on rapid development, and learn what structures must be in place to succeed.
Linda McInnis, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Introducing Personal Software Process--A Few (Un)Expected Lessons

Learn how one company successfully implemented SEI-PSP to a significant part of its software engineering organization. Key discussion points include organization readiness, a training approach, lessons learned, and ways to successfully introduce PSP into an organization. Discover the three process areas (inspections, planning, and quality) where PSP can have a significant impact.
Robert Galen, Wavetek Wandel Goltermann
What to Do When the Right Person Doesn't Come Along

Finding just the right technical person remains a challenge. Waiting for just the right person to come along, or hiring someone with inadequate skills, can often result in late or high-defect projects. A project will most likely fail if you have not hired the appropriate staff. Learn when to wait when hiring for a position, and when to change what people will do.
Johanna Rothman, Rothman Consulting Group, Inc.
Career Path Activities for Test Professionals

Ever wonder how some people seem to find the time to always do that "little extra" to benefit their careers? Have you ever thought about writing an article, speaking at a conference, or even teaching a course, but didn't know where to begin? There are lots of ways to jump-start your career through professional development activities that benefit both you and your employer. Learn how your participation in these activities can enhance your career and market your company. Journey with the instructor and find the inspiration (and energy) to maintain a diversity of activities that'll make your professional mark. Find out how easy it is to get started and where to obtain more information about updating your skills, sharing your knowledge, and helping others within our profession.
Eric Patel, RapidSQA

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