Author Archive

Automatic hashcode method generation

When reading the book Implementation Patterns on the bus to work one morning I came across a section that talks about implementing the equals and hashcode methods in Java. I don’t know how often I have read this rule by now: “If you implement equals you also have to implement hashcode“. Otherwise you get into [ READ MORE ]

How transparent is Scrum?

The Scrum Guide states that transparency is one of the three legs underpinning Scrum, with inspection and adaption being the other two. Since adaption depends on inspection and inspection depends on transparency, one could argue that transparency is the foundation of Scrum. So I came to ask myself: How transparent is Scrum? Why is transparency [ READ MORE ]

A domain name system for people

Last week my best friend sat the last exam for his university degree. I am currently living on the opposite side of the world, but I wanted to at least send him a text on his cell phone to wish him good luck and to let him know that I am proud of him. Only [ READ MORE ]

Personas are the tests for requirements gathering

I just watched a presentation by Jeff Patton about using personas for requirements gathering. I especially liked his comparison of personas to tests in test driven development (TDD). He argues that using personas for requirements gathering is like TDD for development. Personas are the tests for your requirements. Like tests in development your personas should [ READ MORE ]

Java Build Server

Update [15.05.2010]: I finally had a chance to try out SecureCI, which is pretty much exactly what I described in this post. The guys from Coveros did a great job, so I suggest after reading this post you head over to their website, download SecureCI and give it a go. Thanks John for pointing this [ READ MORE ]

Is estimation waste?

Lean Thinking suggests that estimation is to be considered wasteful. Instead, the throughput time (lead time) for planned items is projected by using previous measurements. I always thought this was an interesting approach and today I came across this screencast about Naked Planning, a development process created by Arlo Belshee based on Value Based Planning. [ READ MORE ]

Resigning is a bit like breaking up with your girlfriend

I started a new job last week. This also means that I had to quit my old one. It was the first time I have left a company by resigning from an open-ended contract. The situation reminded me a bit of breaking up with ex-girlfriends. Both are difficult situations. Both are awkward. No-one likes to [ READ MORE ]

What’s your real job?

Yesterday I had a very unsatisfying experience riding the bus home after work. Already on the bus, I was on the phone with my wife and decided to exit somewhere else than I had originally planned. Even though I was aware that I was on an ‘Express’-Bus, which doesn’t stop at every bus stop, I [ READ MORE ]

Are Project Managers not needed with Scrum?

In my last two entries I wrote about managers being excluded from Scrum and why Scrum Masters are no Project Managers. Does this mean that management is not needed? Are all management positions obsolete in software development with Scrum? Certainly not. The reason why managers often get bashed when talking about software development with Scrum, [ READ MORE ]

Are Scrum Masters the new Project Managers?

Both SMs and PMs try to create an environment that enables the team to do their work. They are facilitators. However, they are doing this in completely different ways. SMs manage the development process and remove obstacles identified by the team, whereas traditional PMs manage resources (including the team members) and do all of the planning, monitoring and controlling involved[ READ MORE ]

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