Author Archives: Mike Rodbell

About Mike Rodbell

I'm a technology leader, engaged in developing software for the telecom, online commerce, and business process/analysis markets. All of the teams I've worked with have had a great deal in common. They need to be good at what they do, listen, share, and collaborate towards a shared set of goals. This blog is dedicated to those activities. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Global Software Development — Foundations — Understanding the mission

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Mike Rodbell

If you want to get where you wish, know what you wish. The Cheshire cat was on to something. (shhh, don’t tell the dogs, I have some partiality to cats). Putting first things first, be sure you know what you … Continue reading →

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Global Software Development Processes/Approaches

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Mike Rodbell

Following up on my last post, I thought it might be helpful to review some approaches to establishing and running new teams at different sites. I’d originally thought of just calling them processes, but I suspect that may be doing … Continue reading →

Posted in Distributed Teams, management, software development, travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Global Software Development

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Mike Rodbell

Early in my career, I worked with people who sat across the room from me, perhaps at times in the room next door. Back then, it didn’t take much to meet and discuss work with my co-workers. This was pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in Agility, Distributed Teams, Group Dynamics, management, morale, software development, travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Innovation Redux — fitting the corporate world

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Mike Rodbell

I happened across an interesting article in the Harvard Business Review (stop me before I “innovate” again) this morning. The author’s premise seemed to be that everyone is so anxious to declare themselves as innovators that they lay claim to … Continue reading →

Posted in Agility, Change and Behavior, Innovation, management, Product Management, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Success!

Posted on November 20, 2011 by Mike Rodbell

Success. What an interesting concept. A simple word that means something different to different people at different times. As an example, I just finished stacking a cord of wood. I was pretty happy when it was done. Went from an … Continue reading →

Posted in Competition, Innovation, management, Product Management, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Awesome

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Mike Rodbell

Been away for a while. Not that I’ve vanished, but somehow stopped blogging for a bit. I was looking for something interesting on the internet the other day. This is kind of like my digital version of wandering around the … Continue reading →

Posted in animals, Change and Behavior, Innovation, management, morale | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Agility Product Strategies — Dimensions to Consider

Posted on April 9, 2011 by Mike Rodbell

In the software world, agility often starts with the development team. That’s nice, but generally only a part of the solution. By creating a value stream, interesting opportunities and dilemmas abound. Unless the whole supply and value chains are aligned, … Continue reading →

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SCRUM and the Brain — Why Agile Development Works

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Mike Rodbell

I just finished reading a great book about how our cranial physiology impacts our behavior and ability to think and interact effectively. The book is called “Your Brain at Work” by David Rock. I enjoyed reading it and found a … Continue reading →

Posted in Change and Behavior, SCRUM, software development | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Software Design — Art? Random observations

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Mike Rodbell

Had a number of comments back to my earlier post asking whether software design was art or science. From the sampling, which was highly self selecting & amongst a number of old friends/acquaintances, there was an overwhelming sentiment that software design … Continue reading →

Posted in management, software development | 2 Comments

Software Design — Art or Science?

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Mike Rodbell

I started reading a new book (at least to me) that looks promising “The Design of Design” by Frederick Brooks, the guy who came up with “The mythical man month.”  On first glance, I’m very pleased to see that this … Continue reading →

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