Tag: collaboration

ThoughtWorks Mingle 2.0
Mingle is a project collaboration tool that helps teams deliver software quickly. With features like virtual Card Walls and a groundbreaking user interface, Mingle raises the bar on global collaboration. Ensure all team members are on the same page. Mingle builds upon ThoughtWorks’ 7+ years experience in Agile software delivery.

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The Growing Influence Of Open Source Projects
Two years ago, I began writing about the impact of open source development tools, components, processes and organizational models on corporate IT shops. I worked with a range of development managers that shared a very similar point of view: instead of dismissing the so-called renegade open source projects, the managers emulated these projects' activities and hoped to mimic their success. This trend is only growing and I am intrigued by the ways in which IT shops are looking to the open source community for leadership.

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CASE STUDY: VA Software
Agile development methodologies aren't one-size-fits-all. Independent software vendors (ISVs) have unique needs-external customers, aggressive release dates and competitive pressures-that require tailoring software development methodologies that work well in corporate IT settings. Faced with a major new project and bogged down by a big design up-front process, VA Software adapted Extreme Programming (XP) to help build the latest versions of SourceForge® Enterprise Edition (SFEE).

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Open Source Tools for the Agile Developer
A defining characteristic of agile development is to keep moving forward, recognizing working code as the primary measure of valued software. Undoubtedly, there is no way to judge a software system until you have a system to judge. Yet, experienced developers recognize that requirements frequently change and traditional methods have achieved very little success in stabilizing requirements early in the lifecycle. Instinctively, we may feel change impedes progress, but agile developers embrace an attitude where change is viewed as an opportunity to improve the system. A variety of open source software tools  can enable important agile practices, allowing you to keep moving forward so long as you are willing to embrace change.

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Stretched to the Limit

If the "World is Flat" how come we still have bumps in the road of collaboration and communication?

When serendipity taps you on the shoulder I've found it best not to ignore the intrusion. I recently got back from an intense trip to India, speaking at several seminars and to a number of our leading customers. On my return I picked up "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman and this book provided me with a deeper perspective on what I had just learned, face-to-face, with the same groups of people I had just met in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Delhi. And here we are in the second edition of Agile Journal talking about Offshore Agile Development.

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Tackling Offshore Agile Development
As an analyst, I have spoken with hundreds of software developers and managers struggling to improve their delivery capabilities. Many are turning to Agile processes as a means to deliver high quality solutions and at the same time improve time to benefits. And, at the same time, these teams need to work with ever-shrinking budgets. Of all the questions they asked about Agile development in 2005, the most common - and the toughest - was: "Can we take advantage of offshore resources and still use Agile processes?"

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FEATURED BOOK: Collaboration Explained: Facilitation Skills for Software Project Leaders

Numerous Agile methods and principles emphasize the value of collaboration and self-organization. Most books on the subject of Agile development discuss principles and practices related to planning and development practices. Yet few Agile books delve deeply into the How To's of collaboration, facilitation and project leadership. Collaboration Explained, by Jean Tabaka, does exactly this: it takes the essential skills, methods, and proven practices of successful team leaders and group facilitators, and explains them in detail while also applying them directly to the context of agile software development.

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Achieving Agility in Globally Distributed Software Development
In today's business climate there exists an ever-increasing demand to achieve more from less. More return from less investment, faster time to market from shrinking resources, higher quality from collapsing timelines. The impact of these pressures on the software development industry has meant that organizations have had to look for new avenues such as offshore development to reduce costs yet still satisfy these increasing demands. Simply incorporating an offshore development strategy to realize lower costs is not a solution. Leveraging the lower cost and resource scalability that an offshore development strategy provides must also include the facilities to enable that capability to produce better results faster.

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Outsourcing Experience Report – LogicLibrary and EPAM

LogicLibrary, provider of Logidex, has had an ongoing relationship with EPAM Systems, the largest Eastern European technology outsourcing vendor, for over three years to develop its Logidex technology. This experience report discusses the approaches and tools used by LogicLibrary and EPAM to ensure effective communication and coordination between LogicLibrary's Rochester, MN-based development team and EPAM's Minsk, Belarus-based development team.

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“Agile” Versus “agile” Development

There's no question that "agile" is the buzzword of the times for software developers, ISVs, consultants, and businesses, in general. As with most buzzwords, the term is often over-used and mis-used, especially by those trying to portray their products or services in a new light. In the world of software development, the term "agile" is applied to a wide variety of processes, techniques, tools, projects, and phases of the development life cycle. It's important, therefore, to set out some basic definitions and context for the use of the term "agile," especially as it will be used in articles throughout this journal.

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