Software Excellence through the Agile High Velocity Development℠ Process

Software Excellence through the Agile High Velocity Development℠ Process

Abstract

The Advanced Information Services Division of Ishpi Information Technologies, Inc. (DBA ISHPI) performs all aspects of the software development lifecycle using its High Velocity Development℠ (HVD) process. We have studied many methods and frameworks (including Personal Software Process, Team Software Process, CMMI for Development, Scrum, Kanban, CMMI for Services, ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 20000-1 (Information Technology Service Management), ISO 27001 (Information Security Management Systems), Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, and more), adapted them, combined them, and made them our own. The result is an innovative, cohesive process that works for us—our agile HVD process. We have shown that diverse inputs need not be contradictory choices, but instead complementary building blocks. By evolving, implementing, and utilizing the HVD practices, AIS Division teams have achieved significant improvement in productivity and performance. ISHPI’s customers have benefited from shorter schedules, lower costs for development due to minimal rework costs, lower costs for maintenance, and an overall positive experience during each project.

About the Presenter 

Stephen Shook, ISHPI’s Vice President of Software Engineering & Quality, brings more than 25 years of experience in senior management, business development, development management, project management, software engineering, and implementing Capability Maturity Model® Integration (CMMI®). He is one of the principal architects of ISHPI’s award-winning Agile High Velocity Development℠ software development methodology, which is appraised at CMMI Development Maturity Level 5. As an experienced instructor, coach, consultant, and subject matter expert, he leads and mentors software teams to achieve exceptional cost, schedule, and quality performance in order to achieve customer business goals. Stephen has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Illinois.

Barti Perini, ISHPI’s Vice President of Software Process Improvement, brings over 25 years of experience in software engineering, software development process improvement, project management, and Capability Maturity Model® Integration (CMMI®) and ISO implementation. She leads ISHPI’s Software Engineering Process group, Configuration Management group, and the Quality Assurance group, working with senior management, software development managers, project managers, and engineers to initiate, define, track, evaluate, and implement new methods and technologies to continuously optimize the software engineering capability of the organization (currently appraised at CMMI Development Maturity Level (ML) 5 and CMMI Services ML 3). Barti holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute. Barti has a Master of Science in Computer Science from Northern Illinois University, a Master of Technology in Industrial Electronics from Mysore University, India and a Bachelor of Engineering in Power Electronics from Nagpur University, India.

10 Key Things to be a Rocking Product Manager in an Agile World

10 Key Things to be a Rocking Product Manager in an Agile World

The June 2023 tech talk was presented by César Duarte

Abstract

Are you ready to know more about the challenge of being a product manager? This talk will cover challenges you will need to master to excel and become a product management superstar in an Agile world.

From your main responsibilities to skills that will make you crush the product management game, learn what this role is and what is NOT, along with its main challenges and some insider tips. As a bonus, we will also have a glimpse into the epic battle of the PMs and POs (Product Managers vs PROJECT Managers vs Product Owners).

About the Presenter 

César Duarte 

Entrepreneur at heart (former founder & CTO) • Software engineer turned to business with international project and product management experience • INSEAD executive education with the Product Management Executive Programme (PMEP) • Master in Informatics and Computing Engineering from FEUP (Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto) in Portugal • Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) + Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certified by Scrum.org • Track record of helping organizations improve their processes, systems, and people with methods of continuous improvement, Agile, Lean, and Kaizen.

Implementing a Strategy for Excellence

Implementing a Strategy for Excellence

The January 2023 tech talk was presented by Seemin Suleri

Abstract

In our pursuit of excellence, we built a strategy that matched the ambition of a competitive e-commerce business. The problem was, where do we start the work: A struggling software department with high attrition and low engagement, a software system that was falling apart, a monolith that was hard to break away from. This talk covers how the real work was done on the ground to achieve great results. It also gives practical advice on where to find tools that enable you to measure the effectiveness of the strategy. For anyone who is tasked with bringing a vision to reality, this talk is packed with ideas that generated high performance, high engagement, and better quality products 40 times faster.

About the Presenter 

Seemin Suleri

Seemin is an agent for change in a competitive digital world. Specializing in building and leading high-performance self-organizing teams, she has enabled businesses to transform their cultural and technological landscape. She has a real passion for Agile and continuous improvement. Currently working as Head of Engineering for 288 Group Ltd, she is leading the company’s systems transformation effort to meet the demands of the ever-evolving and competitive market.

She is a mum of two energetic preschoolers, and is passionate about flexibility and inclusion in teams to allow people from all backgrounds to succeed. She has led a number of initiatives to increase the representation of women in software, and is always interested in the human element in organizational success. She is an enthusiastic individual with a background in both software engineering and project management, coupled with the ability to operate within an array of engineering disciplines to unblock flow and get the job done.

How to Increase Team Performance : A Tale of Two Teams

How to Increase Team Performance : A Tale of Two Teams

The June 2022 tech talk was presented by Seemin Suleri

Abstract:

This is a story of two software teams: one in a large blue-chip corporate environment and another in a small company. This is a tale of how people came together to face challenges and show incredible results and achievement. It will also show how we managed to create an environment with our limitations to foster creativity by creating strong foundations. For people who are in established software teams or just about to start their journey, there is a little bit to take away in their own journey to mastery.

About the Presenter 

Seemin Suleri

Seemin is an ambassador of iterative and continuous delivery practices. She has a real passion for Agile and continuous improvement. Currently working as Head of Engineering at 288 Group, she is leading the company’s systems transformation effort to meet the demands of the ever-evolving and competitive digital landscape.

Seemin is a software engineer at heart, with experience in both software development and project management. She is an advocate of enabling a culture that allows autonomous teams to succeed in delivery.

She is a mum of two toddlers, and is passionate about flexibility and inclusion in software teams to allow people from all backgrounds to succeed. She has led a number of initiatives to increase the representation of women in software, and is always interested in the human element in organizational success.

Being a Leader and Coder – A Survival Guide

Being a Leader and Coder – A Survival Guide

The December 2021 tech talk was presented by Dylan Greiner

Abstract:

Being both a technical leader and an active software engineer at the same time raises many challenges. I present the various techniques and approaches I have both learned and gathered from various sources to achieve a balance between technical leadership and software development. I also present the realities of having to carry both responsibilities, how I maintained my sanity, empowered my team, and improved my communication to my team and management.

About the Presenter 

Dylan Greiner is a highly-qualified software developer and architect with more than three decades of experience. He’s worked for startups and world-class software companies and has emerged as a dynamic team leader in the field.

As the lead software engineer at Catchpoint Systems, Dylan leads a team of engineers. He is a hands-on leader who is passionate about mentoring. He has been involved in developing several different applications and was the lead engineer on mass-market After Dark consumer software products, and the lead engineer on high-visibility Kodak/Ofoto software clients. Dylan is a versatile engineer with experience across the spectrum of software engineering techniques and practices; he is also proficient in numerous software systems languages.

Dylan attended the University of Texas, Dallas and Richland College, and has continued his education. A graduate of the Exceptional Engineering Program, Dylan is sharpening his leadership skills. He believes that good design is critical to quality. His favorite professional quote is by Dr. Marvin Minsky, “An expert is someone who doesn’t only know the right way to do a thing, but several wrong ways as well.” He is hyper-focused on benefit to the customer, making sure that their needs remain in focus through project development.

Beyond engineering, Dylan is an outdoorsman who prides himself on being a good father and devoted husband. He is a thoughtful and open-minded man who lives life with a sense of humor and a passion for his family and his work.