Meta-Cast
317 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 31 ratingsBob Galen and Josh Anderson use their decades of coaching experience to power your organization's need for agility and scale. If our 200+ episodes don't have what you need, ask us a question and we'll help you out!
This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:
Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Episode 49 - Has Agile Jumped The Shark?
December 03, 2013 18:30 - 17 minutes - 8.19 MBIn this episode, Bob and Josh discuss whether or not Agile has jumped the shark. After educating Bob on what that term means, we dig into the reality of the situation and what we can do about getting Agile back to its roots. We have some ideas that we plan to tackle in future podcasts, but would love to hear what our listeners think we (the community) can do to fix this situation...
Episode 48 - Discussing Open Allocation
November 25, 2013 19:00 - 29 minutes - 13.8 MBIn this episode Bob and Josh discuss the concept of Open Allocation and how it could be applied to a company. As a primer, here are some links that augment the podcast as we repeatedly refer to Valve's and GitHub's implementation of Open Allocation. Valve's Employee Handbook FastCo article detailing GitHub's lean management approach Let us know your thoughts on wheather or not Open Allocation could/should be applied to your business/team.
More on Four Quadrants of Product Ownership
October 12, 2013 12:31Josh brought it to my attention that I was remiss in publishing anything on the 4 quadrants of Product Ownership discussions we had in the past. If you're interested, you can find a write-up here: http://www.batimes.com/robert-galen/the-agile-ba-moving-beyond-the-backlog-the-4-quadrants-of-product-ownership-part-1.html http://www.batimes.com/robert-galen/moving-beyond-the-backlog-the-4-quadrants-of-product-ownership-part-2.html I also wrote an article for Better Software magazine on the t...
Episode 47 - Saying No
September 12, 2013 17:00 - 45 minutes - 21.3 MBIn this episode, Bob and Josh discuss the numerous times that saying no is required. We discuss the issues preventing many folks from saying no when their gut is telling them that they have to speak up and say no. Aside from identifying the key moments, we help you out by giving tips and tricks on how to say no.
Speed-Cast on Technical Debt
September 11, 2013 17:00 - 45 minutes - 21.2 MBAs you likley read on Twitter, we had a little issue with our new microphone that generated some feedback during our last recording. Because of that static, we chose not to post the episode. However, we are returning to the topic of technical debt in order to meet the requests of our listeners. This is a shortened version of our discussion on technical debt. While it is shorter, we cover all of the primary topics and hope that it meets your needs. As always, please let us know what you ...
Episode 46 - What's wrong with agile adoption? (AKA The Dope Slap Episode)
August 16, 2013 16:30 - 41 minutes - 19.4 MBIn this episode Bob and Josh discuss the issues we see in the lagging agile adoption dilemma that seems rather prevalent these days. Is it poor teaching? Is it teams that just don't listen? What is the problem and what can do you about it? We have the answers you need!!! Part of our solution we offer at the end is the prescriptive agile adoption framework we built in our Agile Starter Kit series. Here they are if you need to do a little catchup or need to jump start your team. The Agi...
Episode 45 - How important is estimation?
August 05, 2013 17:00 - 53 minutes - 25.1 MBIn this episode Bob and Josh discuss the importance of estimation in the world of software development. Can a project survive without estimation? Is estimation a skill that can be honed and improved over time? We cover all of these questions and a bit more. Where do you stand on these topics? Let us know in the comments.
Episode 44 - What's Wrong With Retrospectives?
July 25, 2013 18:30 - 39 minutes - 18.3 MBIn this episode Bob and Josh discuss common misconceptions and missteps in retrospecitves. You'll quickly learn how passionate we are on this subject as the discussion heats up. We provide ideas and direction on how to heal your struggling retrospectives.
Episode 43 - Defining Culture
June 07, 2013 23:00 - 45 minutes - 21.2 MBIn this episode Bob and Josh tackle the ever-elusive concept of team culture. We attempt to apply some form of definition for the concept and provide some tips on how to improve it within your team. We'd love some feedback on this one, so please add comments or hit us up on twitter.
Episode 42 - Defending Agile Against Waterfall Bob
April 25, 2013 17:53 - 55 minutes - 26 MBIn this episode, Bob transforms into a waterfall advocate. Josh fights to convince him that Agile is more than just a buzzword and that can help his projects. While this debate was a fun execise for us, we hope it helps everyone out there who is struggling to convince their co-workers/boss/whoever that Agile may be the right thing for your project. If there are any challenges or questions you are struggling with out there, let us know as we would love to help you out! We also debut one ...
Episode 41 - Deep Dive Into The Product Owner Quadrants
April 18, 2013 17:33 - 36 minutes - 16.9 MBIn this episode, Bob and Josh begin defining the concept of the product owner quadrants. It comes as a shock to no one that we only worked through the first quadrant in 36 minutes! The first quadrant discussed is "project managment". That term sends Josh into a downward spiral and forces the two of us to really define what "project management" means and we eventually land on renaming it to "project planning". Take a listen and see if you agree or diasagree with the new name and the respo...
Agile Starter Kit Survey
April 15, 2013 00:53As discussed in episode 40, here is the survey about the need for a physical Agile Starter Kit. Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.
Episode 40 - A retrospective...
April 11, 2013 17:54 - 26 minutes - 12.6 MB40th episode already!?!? Bob and Josh pause for the 40th episode to do a classic scrum retrospective of the Meta-Cast itself. All three questions (what did we do well, what could we do better at, and what should we try in the future) are asked, and answered, as we look forward to where we want to take our podcast. In the second half of the podcast, we ask for input on the value of creating a physical version of the Agile Starter Kit. Please, please, please weigh in with your thoughts and...
Episode 39 - The Certification Rant
March 19, 2013 17:30 - 30 minutes - 14.2 MBBob and Josh unleash some fury on the proliferation of agile-centric certificaitons over the past 12-18 months. Are there any certifications really worth the skyrocketing expense to earn and maintain them? We also tackle the evolving importance of the first certification most professionals get, the degree. What side of the certification fence are you on?!
Quick Diversion - An Outtake
March 06, 2013 02:49 - 1 minute - 514 KBSome of the best stuff happens before we even turn the microphone on, so I am trying to just hit the record button and see what happens. Here is a quick look into what Bob and I do before you hear the words "Welcome to The Meta-Cast!". I hope to have more of these in the coming weeks...
A Different "Look" at Bob Galen
March 02, 2013 16:55I'm speaking at the Agile Development Practices conference in June in Vegas for the SQE folks. I've done these for at least the last 5 years and I enjoy going to this conference. They always do a nice job of putting on a top-notch event. A week or so ago, I was interviewed for my workshop at the conference. Here I am discussing it in a Skype recording from Chez Bob. Do you like the hat? ;-) Stay agile my friends... Bob.
Episode 38 - Agile Starter Kit #4
February 25, 2013 23:56 - 41 minutes - 19.7 MBIn this episode, Bob and Josh wrap-up their initial pass at what fits into the Agile Starter Kit. They end with talking through some of the technical aspects of implementing Agile in your workplace, digging into topics like continuous integration, pair programming, designs/specifications, and finally wrap up with metrics. While Bob and Josh try to remain tool/technology agnostic, there are a few key points that they hit that could use a few wikipedia links to help out. So if you heard the...
Episode 38 - Agile Starter Kit, Part 4
February 25, 2013 19:08In this episode, Bob and Josh wrap-up their initial pass at what fits into the Agile Starter Kit. They end with talking through some of the technical aspects of implementing Agile in your workplace, digging into topics like continuous integration, pair programming, designs/specifications, and finally wrap up with metrics. While Bob and Josh try to remain tool/technology agnostic, there are a few key points that they hit that could use a few wikipedia links to help out. So if you heard the...
Episode 37 - Halftime Rants
February 16, 2013 00:04 - 37 minutes - 17.8 MBIn this episode, Bob and Josh take a break from the Agile Starter Kit series to talk through some current events. Bob unloads on Dean Leffingwell and his SAFe Certification Program. After listening, I think eveyone will understand why Bob is so passionate about this misguided approach. Josh then talks through a couple of moments of inspiration over the past couple of months.
Episode 36 - Agile Starter Kit, Part 3
February 09, 2013 01:15 - 39 minutes - 18.3 MBWe are back! Bob and Josh dig into defining the actual team members required for your starter team. What are the roles and responsiblities needed to make a Shu team grow into a Ha team? Who do you hire to join in the fun? Can your team members be part time team members or do they have to be fully dedicated? These questions and more are answered in this exciting installment of the Meta-Cast. Sorry, I was channelling my inner Stan Lee there for a second...
A More Prescriptive: Startup Toolbox
February 08, 2013 20:25If you've been following us on the Meta-Cast recently, we've been defining a set of tools for a "just starting out" agile team. Here are the driving goals or requirements we're using when bringing things into the discussion (or toolbox): Shu based teams; beginning teams Driving performance quickly; mature agile behaviors AND results A bit prescriptive It’s OUR toolbox; so we want feedback, but not “consensus” To literally provide paper examples, templates, words, etc. as part of the tool...
While we are away...
January 24, 2013 18:07Here are a collection of links for articles and podcasts that struck me as more helpful than the hundreds I've read and listened to over the past couple of weeks. These should keep you company while our cast takes a short break... Nerdist Podcast #307 - Gabe Newell, Valve - The Company: Gabe's views on how corporations will crumble under their own weight as more people figure out how to build better products faster is quite fascinating. If you haven't done it already, read Valve's Emplo...
Episode 35 - Agile Starter Kit, Part 2
January 19, 2013 20:00 - 24 minutes - 11.7 MBIn this episode, Bob and Josh continue the definition of their agile starter kit by defining what a sprint looks like. How long is it and what are the ceremonies that drive the tempo? These items and more are added into the starter kit!
Bob chats with Tom Cagley
January 14, 2013 20:00Happy New Year! Tom Cagley is a fellow consultant, speaker, and writer on software development methods. He has a strong traditional background, but also is engaged in the agile community. He has a regular podcast of his own called SPAMcast for Software Process and Measurement. He invited Bob to talk and the discussion surrounded Agile Chartering and getting "agile projects" off to a "proper start". You can access that podcast here. Stay agile my friends... Bob.
Episode 34 - Agile Starter Kit, Part 1
January 12, 2013 00:19 - 43 minutes - 20.6 MBIn this episode, Bob and Josh start digging into the starter kit. We attack the basic setup needed for a team by covering things like team size, team members, working space, and whiteboard usage. Our goal is to help you lay the foundation for a succesful implementation of Agile inside of your company.
Potsdam, Germany...Here he comes!
January 11, 2013 15:03I'm excited to be going to Potsdam. Germany in March to speak at the Agile Dev Practices conference there. It's the first year for the conference and I've got the wonderful opportunity to present a 1-day Product Ownership workshop and do a Keynote. If you happen to be planning to be in Berlin March 4-7th, I'd love to see you at this event. I have a "speakers discount" available of 15%. If you're interested, just send me an email at [email protected]. More information on the conference here: ...
Bob's New Book: Agile Reflections
January 11, 2013 14:49I've been writing about agile topics for years. I wrote a Product Ownership focused book in 2009 and am working on a 2'nd Edition of it for publication in 2013. I've also been actively blogging at two portals. One if PM Times, which is focused more towards Project Managers. The other is BA Times, focused towards Business Analysts. I recently pulled what I think are some of the most valuable content from these two blogs and compiled a new book called Agile Reflections. You can find it at ...
Episode 33 - Agile Starter Kit, Part 0
January 07, 2013 13:30In this episode, Bob and Josh begin tackling the concept of an Agile Starter Kit. This kit is intended to help new teams get started on their agile adoption. We talk through the basics of what belongs in the kit and then tee up future episodes in which we will dig into each tool and provide clear, concise directions for it's use. Keep an eye on our blog as we begin providing supplementary details to this podcast series.
Episode 26 - Release Planning and Story Points
January 07, 2013 02:03Bob and Josh return after a 5 month hiatus!!! In this episode, Bob and Josh discuss styles of release planning and some of the pitfalls we've run into in our travels. One topic that causes much debate is story points. How and when should you use them, and are they right for every instance of Agile.
Episode 27 - Release Planning and Estimation
January 07, 2013 02:02Bob and Josh come right back to the Release Planning topic to dig into some of its juicier bits. In this episode, Bob and Josh tackle the ever challenging topic of estimation. When should you do it? Who should do it? In the end, a basic blueprint is assembled giving guidance on these questions.
Episode 28 - Discussing Stoos
January 06, 2013 22:39Bob and Josh tackle the recent movement in the Agile/Leadership community commonly referred to as "Stoos". What is it all about? Should you care? How will it affect you going forward? We cover all of these questions in this episode in an effort to get you up to speed on this growing initiative in our world.
Episode 31 - Who needs product owners anyways!?!
December 31, 2012 20:55Bob and Josh discuss the merits and challenges presented by having a dedicated product owner in your team. The concept of the "single wringable neck" is attacked from various fronts. We also provide guidance on how teams can tackle quick adoption of scrum without a product owner. Will Bob's "Quadrants of Responsibility" approach work for your teams?
Episode 32 - Looking ahead to 2013
December 31, 2012 14:29In this episode, Bob and Josh look ahead to 2013 and the evolving landscapes of the agile and software development communities. We talk about some of the changes we would like to see and then start digging in to how we can help drive that change. What change are you looking to make in your own agile implementation(s)?
Episode 30 - Courage
October 06, 2012 02:09 - 50 minutes - 23.7 MBIn this episode, Bob and Josh discuss the numerous areas requiring courage in our industry. Why do so many people struggle to say "no"? Where can I be more courageous? We answer these questions and more...
Episode 29 - Enabling Change
July 17, 2012 06:50 - 34 minutes - 16.4 MBIn this episode Bob and Josh discuss how you can enable change throughout your team. We even discuss the idea of enabling too much change and the dangers that can be presented with that mistake.
Episode 28 - Discussing the Stoos Movement
July 04, 2012 07:35 - 28 minutes - 13.5 MBBob and Josh tackle the movement commonly referred to as Stoos. We discuss our views of the movement, how it may affect you, and whether or not you should actually care or pay attention.
Episode 27 - Release Planning - Estimation
April 27, 2012 16:33 - 30 minutes - 13.8 MBBob and Josh come right back to the Release Planning topic to dig into some of its juicier bits. In this episode, Bob and Josh tackle the ever challenging topic of estimation. When should you do it? Who should do it? In the end, a basic blueprint is assembled giving guidance on these questions.
Episode 26 - Release Planning
April 25, 2012 00:59 - 35 minutes - 16.4 MBBob and Josh return after a 5 month hiatus!!! In this episode, Bob and Josh discuss styles of release planning and some of the pitfalls we've run into in our travels.
Episode 25 - Innovation
November 22, 2011 01:00 - 39 minutes - 18.2 MBIn this episode, Bob and Josh discuss various ways to drive innovation within your teams. Ideas include 20% time, FedEx/Innovation days, and a couple of others. Insight is also given into how to battle some of the normal push-back/challenges when these ideas are introduced into your organization.
Episode 24 - Reflections
October 10, 2011 16:45 - 41 minutes - 19.1 MBIn this episode Bob and Josh review lessons learned over the past year and discuss some of the improvements currently at the top of their personal backlog.
Episode 23 - Fireside Chats (A.K.A. "The Un-Topic")
September 01, 2011 16:17 - 41 minutes - 19 MBIn this meta-cast Bob and Josh go topic-less and chat about challenges facing each of their current teams. Topics range from oscillating between Scrum and Kanban to getting that mystical, magical agile "switch" to flip in people.
Episode 23 - Fireside Chats (A.K.A. “The Un-Topic”)
September 01, 2011 12:22In this Meta-Cast Bob and Josh go topic-less and chat about challenges facing each of their current teams. Topics range from oscillating between Scrum and Kanban to getting that mystical, magical agile "switch" to flip in people. If you are viewing this from our web page, please click on the post title above, or here, to download the podcast. Podcast Powered By Podbean
Failure - Expect, Embrace, Evolve
July 13, 2011 20:23This was originally posted as an article on Teradata's Developer Exchange almost 2 years ago. However, I thought it would be good to re-post it here since the "Embrace" section ties in very well with part of our discussion in Episode 22. Expect "It will not do to leave a live dragon out of your plans if you live near one." ~ The Hobbit No matter what you do, no matter how long you prepare, your plan will begin to slowly, or not so slowly, unravel before your eyes. Plans fail, that is th...
Episode 22 - Patterns of Mature Agile Teams
July 12, 2011 22:12 - 54 minutes - 25.1 MBIn this episode, Bob and Josh discuss some common patterns displayed by truly mature agile teams. We cover a wide range of patters including teamwork, test infection, and automation.
Episode 21 - EXTREME Agile!!!!
June 24, 2011 12:59In this episode, Josh creates a crazy scenario in which we have only 24 hours to get an Agile team up and running. Based on that, Bob and Josh discuss what parts of Agile they would, and would not, implement in such a short time period. Aside from the extreme time constraints, the impending threat of attacks from aliens, zombies, and vampires leads to an interesting discussion of standing firm on Agile's principles regardless of the chaos that is happening around you and your project. What wo...
iContact Open House
June 14, 2011 02:12Bob works at a local company called iContact. We're a Scrum + XP shop and relatively mature. I'm quite proud of our agile chops. On July 14, we're opening our doors for an Open House. More information here Come to check-out our agile chops OR simply come for the beer... Bob.
A few videos for Bob's presentations & interviews
June 12, 2011 23:43Bob has been video taped at several speaking events. Here are a few links: Keynote at Agile Development Practices 2011 3-part recording of a presentation on Practices of a GREAT Product Owner for AgileRTP: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 StarEast 2011 interview InfoQ, Scrum Product Ownership interview
Episode 20 - Starting Agile Projects
June 02, 2011 18:53 - 47 minutes - 21.6 MBBob and Josh discuss tips and tricks you can use when starting an agile project. We cover the concept of a Sprint 0, rolling wave planning, and the varying levels of planning needed for small and large projects.
Episode 19 - Methodology Mixology
May 20, 2011 19:14 - 48 minutes - 22.3 MBBob and Josh discuss the various methodologies in use across the agile community and how mixing them together can benefit your teams. We cover numerous use cases in which applying techniques from Scrum, XP, Lean, and Kanban can help improve your team's performance.
Episode 18 - Conferences
May 06, 2011 17:27 - 49 minutes - 22.8 MBBob and Josh discuss technology conferences. With a goal of helping you get the most out of any technology conference you are attending, our topics of discussion include attendee etiquette, how to plan for attending a conference, different conference types, and speaker styles. Having attended many conferences and spoken at quite a few, we attempt to tackle each subject from both angles (attendee and speaker) in hopes of providing increased insight into each topic.