Welcome to Agile Austin

July 2 Ask An Expert

Date: 7/2/2009
Time: 6 pm
Location: Chicago room, Mangia’s Pizza, 8012 Mesa Drive

Jeffrey Palermo is the CTO of Headspring Systems. Jeffrey specializes in Agile management coaching and helps companies double the productivity of software teams. He is instrumental in the Austin software community as a member of AgileAustin and a director of the Austin .Net User Group. Jeffrey has been recognized by Microsoft as a “Microsoft Most Valuable Professional” (MVP) for technical and community leadership. He is also certified as a MCSD.Net and ScrumMaster. Jeffrey has spoken and facilitated at industry conferences such as VSLive, DevTeach, and Microsoft Tech Ed. He also speaks to user groups around the country as part of the INETA Speakers’ Bureau. His web sites are headspringsystems.com and jeffreypalermo.com. He is a graduate from Texas A&M University, an Eagle Scout, and an Iraq war veteran.  Jeffrey is the founder of the CodeCampServer open-source project and a co-founder of the MvcContrib project.

Jeffrey Palermo is responsible for the popular “Party with Palermo” events that often precede major Microsoft-focused conferences.  Started in June of 2005, Party with Palermo has grown in popularity and size.  Typical events host 400 people for free drinks, fingerfood and door prizes.  It is the perfect way to hook up with friends and colleagues before the conference week begins.  You can see past and up-coming parties at http://partywithpalermo.com

The objective of the Ask an Expert program is to provide free consultation by experienced Agile Austin coaches to any Austinite that wrestles with issues related to promoting, planning and executing Agile methods. The program will address the needs of practitioners in companies that produce software, embed software, or use software as an integral part of their business processes. In addition to 1-1 consultation, coaches will gladly hold discussions with entire teams.

Ask an Expert sessions should be primarily regarded as a step toward addressing concrete Agile issues that manifest themselves in a specific environment. Coaches might not be able to complete a comprehensive analysis, but will make certain to suggest what the heart of the problem might be and point out Agile resources that practitioners could use on their own.

To ensure available access to experts, consultative session time will be divided between attendees. Team discussions with any Agilists attending the program will be encouraged to maximize the sharing of experience and draw out the wisdom of crowds. One-on-one sessions are available on request, but will be time-limited based on attendance (15 minutes typical).

The program will strive to balance utility with fun. Utility will primarily be delivered through actionable insights; fun will be had through passionate exploration of Agile topics in a friendly and collaborative manner.

Agile Austin July Meeting

Date: July 7, 2009
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 PM
Location: Microsoft Technology Center; Stonebridge Plaza One; 9606 North Mopac, Suite 200, Austin TX, 78759

Speaker: Jeffrey Palermo – CTO, Headspring
Title: Being The Manager Of An Agile Team
Description:
Extreme Programming has lots to say about agile software engineering and testing.  Scrum has a lot to say about the process of iterating and organizing priority.  Lean has a lot to say about increasing production and production quality as well as eliminating waste.  Lots of client, even with agile training, still remain with questions about where management fits in within an agile culture.  This session is a blend of project management and people management.  Some of the looming questions surround:

* How to deal with risk
* Predicting issues
* Forecasting
* Hiring and firing
* No broken windows (defects)
* Feedback and metrics
* Managing scope & setting expectations

Speaker Bio:
Jeffrey Palermo is the CTO of Headspring Systems. Jeffrey specializes in Agile management coaching and helps companies double the productivity of software teams. He is instrumental in the Austin software community as a member of AgileAustin and a director of the Austin .Net User Group. Jeffrey has been recognized by Microsoft as a “Microsoft Most Valuable Professional” (MVP) for technical and community leadership. He is also certified as a MCSD.Net and ScrumMaster. Jeffrey has spoken and facilitated at industry conferences such as VSLive, DevTeach, and Microsoft Tech Ed. He also speaks to user groups around the country as part of the INETA Speakers’ Bureau. His web sites are headspringsystems.com and jeffreypalermo.com. He is a graduate from Texas A&M University, an Eagle Scout, and an Iraq war veteran.  Jeffrey is the founder of the CodeCampServer open-source project and a co-founder of the MvcContrib project.

Additional Information:
Cost: Free
Map & Directions: From South of Hwy 183: Travel North on Mopac (Loop 1) exiting at Capitol of Texas Hwy. Make a U-turn before the traffic light. Go one block on the access road.  Stonebridge Plaza One is to the right, with an entrance between the two towers.  Building One is on the right as you enter.  (map)
More Info:  info@AgileAustin.org
Agenda: Sign-in and Networking 6:00 - 6:30 PM
Announcements, Presentation 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Q&A and Networking 8:00 - 8:30 PM

Proof of Attendance forms will be provided for PMI (PDU), ASQ (RU) and PDMA (PDH) re-certifications