Exploring Extreme Programming
French translation The INVEST model is a reminder of the important characteristics of user stories, and it starts with I for Independent. Independent stories each describe different aspects of a system’s capabilities. They are easier to work with because each Continue reading Independent Stories in the INVEST Model
Applying Domain-Driven Design and Patterns: With Examples in C# and .NET, by Jimmy Nilsson. Addison-Wesley, 2006. Stir together Eric Evans’ Domain-Driven Design with Martin Fowler’s Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture, mix in C# code, and you’ve got the flavor of this Continue reading Review: Applying Domain-Driven Design and Patterns (Nilsson)
Ruled Britannia, by Harry Turtledove. This is another of Harry Turtledove’s alternative history novels. In this case, the Spanish Armada succeeded in the late 16th century, and Spain has taken over England. This is the time of Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth, Continue reading Review – Ruled Britannia (Turtledove)
We held a “Fringe” session at Agile 2011 to discuss how people charter or kick off projects. Elements of “Kickoff” [These are in no particular order.] Vision Release Criteria Success Criteria From and To State Business capability Solution vision Risks Continue reading The Vision Thing: How Do You Charter? #agile2011
Musashi, by Eiji Yoshikawa. Kodansha International, 1995. Swordplay, true love, and a man climbing up the side of a cliff. It’s not the Princess Bride; it’s the story of Musashi, the most famous swordsman of Japan. This is a romanticized, historical fiction novel. Continue reading Review – Musashi
Some unit tests are focused, other are like a run-on sentence. How can we create tests that are focused and communicate well? Arrange-act-assert is a pattern for good tests. What’s a good structure for a unit test? 3A: Arrange, Act, Continue reading 3A – Arrange, Act, Assert
Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else, by Geoff Colvin. Portfolio, 2008. Where does talent come from? Nature or nurture? A study of music students found no difference in starting point, but that practice made the Continue reading Review – Talent is Overrated (Colvin)
Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, by Steve Krug. New Riders Press, 2005. This thin book provides guidance on the basics of web usability. It focuses on the importance of doing things in a way Continue reading Review – Don’t Make Me Think (Krug)
Agile Product Management with Scrum: Creating Products that Customers Love, by Roman Pichler. Addison-Wesley, 2010. This is a fairly easy read (about 120 pages) explaining the role of the Product Owner in Scrum. I’d describe the target as “someone preparing Continue reading Review – Agile Product Management with Scrum (Pichler)
Out of the Silent Planet, by C.S. Lewis A linguist (Ransom) is kidnapped and ends up on another planet. (The science is wobbly, but it’s a classic travel story stretched to unexplored worlds). How will he work with humans or with those Continue reading Review – C.S. Lewis Space Trilogy