Results | Software Excellence Alliance

Software Excellence through the Agile High Velocity Development℠ Process

Tech Talk, Past Presentation

The August 2023 tech talk was presented by Steve Shook and Barti Perini

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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.

Implementing a Strategy for Excellence

Tech Talk, Past Presentation

The January 2023 tech talk was presented by Seemin Suleri

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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.

Changing the Engines without Landing the Plane

Past Presentation

The January 2022 tech talk was presented by Robert Bentall

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Abstract:

Technical debt is like adding useless ballast to a speeding jet. It just slows everything down. Yet, in most environments, technical debt reduction, infrastructure upgrades, and process improvement usually take second place to other, “more important” stuff. But without these enhancements, productivity will drop and projects will grind to a halt.

This talk will cover the most important lessons I have learned working on projects in a range of different industry sectors and organizations.

About the Presenter

Robert Bentall is Principal Software Engineer at Martin-Baker Aircraft Company, where he leads the Software Team. Prior to this, he worked for Schlumberger Oilfield UK PLC as a software engineer.

Making SAFe Better from the Bottom Up: Mixing Methods and Tools

Past Presentation

The August 2021 Tech Talk was presented by Kimberly Wade

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Abstract:

The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is the leading method for scaling lean and agile practices to large solution delivery. Using SAFe allows large organizations with multiple programs and projects to create alignment, synchronization, and transparency at all levels, from top leadership down to individual teams. SAFe also allows leaders to communicate what is most important today, and gives teams the confidence that they’re addressing their highest priorities first. However, using SAFe alone creates challenges, especially in monitoring large deliverables by teams that use Scrum as their sole means of planning and tracking. Among these challenges are: inability to adjust individual labor hours due to lack of insight about actual time spent on tasks; neglecting product quality during development until integration; and inability to roll up overall program status with respect to each individual project’s status. These and other challenges leave SAFe programs without the ability to accelerate team performance using quantitative data. Combining SAFE with multiple methods and tools can help the program to achieve much greater success.

About the Presenter

Kimberly Wade is part of the Lean Agile Center of Excellence (LACE) at NAVAIR. She is passionate about supporting teams as they use lean agile principles and practices to deliver value to their customer. She believes program success begins at the individual team level, and conducts regular training and coaching to ensure team members have the resources they need to be successful. Kimberly has a BS in Organizational and Project Management from Southern New Hampshire University, and has worked at NAVAIR for 6 years as a process and product improvement leader.

Results of Applying Methods for Software Excellence – The Long View

Past Presentation

The June 2020 Tech Talk was presented by Stephen Shook

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Abstract:

Today’s software industry could be characterized as one where software organizations come and go, technology workers change employers every few years, and corporate initiatives are transient. By contrast, the Advanced Information Services Division of Ishpi Information Technologies (ISHPI) has sustained its software process improvement effort for nearly three decades. During that time, the organization received the IEEE/SEI Software Process Achievement Award, received the Government Information Security Leadership Award (GISLA) for secure software life cycle practices, and has been appraised at CMMI-DEV Maturity Level 5 repeatedly over the last 10 years. By maintaining a constancy of purpose, focus on quality and security, and dedication to excellence, ISHPI projects consistently produce extraordinary results. ISHPI will present its results, insights, and perspectives on enduring methods and principles – over the long view.

About the Presenter

Stephen Shook, Director of Software Engineering and 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. 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.