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Availability

I am now taking a year off to do an MSc in Renewable Energy, and don't expect to be available for major projects until at least August 2010.



Read my blog on renewable energy and student life



I'm still available for small consulting assignments, so please feel free to contact me if that's of interest.

Agile Project Management using Scrum, by Ken Schwaber

Posted by Cathryn in : IT Project Management , add a comment

On Monday, I start a new contract on a project that’s run using the Scrum methodology.  That’s new for me, although many elements of it are familiar, so I picked up this book to help me prepare.
The book itself is clear, well written, and full of anecdotes that explain what can go wrong as well as what happens when it goes well, so its a good learning tool.  I’d happily recommend it to anyone contemplating Scrum, or taking on a project that’s using it.
In Scrum team members, along with a ‘product owner’, similar to a Key User or Sponsor, agree the requirements which will be delivered in a single iteration of work or ‘Sprint’.  That is kept short, to 3-4 weeks, so that there is a chance for everyone to review plans regularly.  At the end of each Sprint, a full unit of work is delivered, ready to go live. The team works out how it will deliver each Sprint, with input but not formal control from the ScrumMaster, or project manager / team leader.  Every day, the ScrumMaster holds a Daily Scrum, a quick meeting where everyone says what they’ve done yesterday, what they’re doing today and what the problems are.  This is intended to bind the team together, make sure that everyone knows what’s going on and help is given to those who need it.
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More on the Ecademy story

Posted by Cathryn in : Miscellaneous , 3 comments

Well, its not just me who’s a little unhappy with Ecademy, as posts in The Register, and the rather excellent the world’s leading show. 

Having had no explanation from Ecademy after a week, I terminated my membership today.  It’s sad, because its a great idea, but customer service does need a little bit of work, methinks.

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Perils of online business networking

Posted by Cathryn in : Miscellaneous , add a comment

Its a wonderful new, connected world, and a great way to do business. Whether its as simple as a google group, or a complex site with profiles, clubs, meeting calendars, personal messaging and search facilities, online social networking is the way the world is moving.
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Effective Project Team Meetings

Posted by Cathryn in : IT Project Management , add a comment

Run well, Project Team meetings are a powerful tool for making sure everyone, including the project manager, understands where the project is and where its heading. Run badly, and they waste everyone’s time.
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