The February 2022 tech talk was presented by Jeff Schwalb

Abstract:

The Agile Manifesto’s four tenants and 12 principles describe what the Agile trade-offs mean to a working project. They contain no direction on how to carry out and achieve the stated goals. This comes from what we all know as methods; the step-by-step “how” to make the “what” happen. Many methods already existed at the time of the Agile Manifesto’s inception, and there were passionate conversations and debates on the best method to choose.

One of the most insightful analyses appeared in the 2004 book, “Balancing Agility and Discipline: A Guide for the Perplexed,” by Barry Boehm and Richard Turner. The seemingly opposite attributes of Agility and Discipline are, in reality, complementary values; the key to success is finding the right balance between the two.

This presentation will invite discussion and sharing of stories, data, and experiences using various methods to balance the Agile values and principles. The goal is to strengthen and accelerate our community’s desire to
Balance Agility with the Discipline needed to develop and deliver products Better, Faster, Cheaper!

About the Presenter 

Jeff Schwalb is a computer scientist and has been supporting Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) since 1984. He has over 20 years of experience developing and acquiring real-time embedded software systems for avionics, weapons, and range instrumentation systems. He also began collaborating with the Software Engineering Institute (SEI), learning and applying CMM key practices, becoming a certified Personal Software Process℠ (PSP℠) instructor and then a certified Team Software Process℠ (TSP℠) coach. Over the last 25 years, he has taught and consulted with hundreds of scientists and engineers in various forms of personal engineering processes and has coached dozens of projects in the launch and operations of team project planning and tracking.

In 2017, Jeff connected with the SEI on the establishment of the organization we know today as the Software Excellence Alliance (SEA). Today, Jeff continues to work within the SEA to identify and establish pragmatic, value-added solutions to problems currently affecting the software community. He is currently serving as a member of the SEA Executive Team and as a supporting member of SEA working groups in areas such as Membership, Agile Community Networking, and Knowledge Transfer.

The September 2021 tech talk was presented by Jeff Pulcini

Abstract:

Does training a 10-week-old puppy have any relation to Agile and Agile teams? Can training basic commands like sit, stay, and down be useful to Agile teams? What about potty training? Join us as we explore how to map the lessons learned training Coco to the basics of Agile philosophy, principals, and values, and how those lessons can help you and your team evolve into doing Agile better.

About the Presenter 

Jeff Pulcini

Starting with in a degree in aeronautics, Jeff worked in the domains of manufacturing, e-commerce, finance, and government, on real-time, network, software, and hardware systems. He has filled roles as an engineer, developer, systems analyst, systems architect, business analyst, project and program manager, as well as an outside consultant. 

Not surprisingly, that background has involved a broad range of methodologies such as iterative, incremental, waterfall, RAD, and Agile. Jeff’s insatiable curiosity and his drive to see people achieve their highest potential and aspirations has led him to an abiding love for Agile.

Jeff has certifications as a Scrum Master (CSM), Project Management Professional (PMP), and network designer. He retired from the full-time business world in 2017 to pursue independent work as an Agile coach, career coach, and mentor for disadvantaged youth, college graduates, and professionals.

Jeff is a co-organizer of the PittAgile Meetup.