Thoughts from a Thirsty Bear

TL;DR Everyone brings a piece of the  online  meeting environment with them. So: Be heard. Make sure your microphone is adequate, and picking you up clearly. Don't mute unless you have to. Be seen. Use a decent camera, with good lighting, and have it on by default unless there is a reason not to. Turn off self view. Be aware of your square. Watch your background, and learn how to stay in shot. D on't be afraid to check your setup  with a colleague, and get feedback.

By popular request...here is a blow-by-blow run through of the simple 60 minute 'Good, Bad, Puzzling' retrospective format that I use. Have fun using it.  Good, Bad, Puzzling Retrospective Introductions and checkin (10 minutes) Start off the retrospective by getting people to “check in”. That is, invite them to speak early on, focussing on what is being reviewed. This makes them feel like they are part of the meeting, and implicitly invites them to actively participate. I normally use something like: Describe the last Sprint in 3 words If the last Sprint was a Star Trek/Star Wars/South Park character, which one would it be? What colour was the last Sprint? ...and so on.... Get creative! Once everyone has checked in, you need to create a “safe zone” where the Sprint can be discussed without blame. Everyone needs to agree that everyone in the Sprint always acted as best they could under the circumstances at the time, and to accept that anything th...

Back in 2009, a fine developer for Los Techies produced a set of mocked up motivational posters representing the SOLID principles . She was even kind enough to release them under a Creative Commons license. But as is the way of all things, internet rust has set in and the images have been unlinked from the original article during an archive exercise - but they live on throughout the internet! I have collected the images here - and would like to say " Thank you, River Lynn Bailey ". This is a great, amusing and educational resource for everyone.

It has finally happened! My first podcast interview, ever! I was interviewed by Ian Gill from  Agility By Nature . I have known Ian for a fair few years now, having worked together and shared a few beers on several occasions! We talked about all kinds of things, from my early tinkering with agile methods, through to where I think the industry is heading, and a lot in-between too, some of possibly (hopefully) a little controversial....  Have a listen, and please do ask questions in the comments. AgilityByNature · An Agile Audience with Chris Pitts and Agility by Nature

So here we are,  in the umpteenth week of the coronavirus pandemic. The UK scientists and WHO are saying that we are in this for the long haul - at least a year, maybe longer, perhaps forever if we cannot develop an effective vaccine. I have already written about how this is affecting people . This post is not about that. But something that is become blatantly obvious is that the ways we work are changing . Which means  companies and people need to change . And change is hard . So what I would like to know is: How can we help you here at Thirsty Bear Solutions?  What kind of help do you need to make these possibly seismic changes? As a company, we have a broad set of skills. Which means we need your help to help you. So would you please consider filling a short questionnaire that will guide us to where we need to focus our efforts? Thank you in advance.  Helping us help you questionnaire

“ May you live in interesting times ”, or so goes the ancient Chinese curse. That certainly seems to be applicable to the past few years, arguably even decades. Technology marches on apace, creating a razor sharp double-edged sword that is capable of holding governments to account, yet also capable of slicing into our personal privacy and stifling dissent. Social media has now moved on from an innocent way of staying in touch with remote friends, encouraging collaboration, tolerance and discussion, and has now been weaponised in order to influence opinions, support corrupt organisations, and manipulate the Overton Window . We now have wannabe dictators attempting to force online platforms to treat speculation and lies the same as undisputed truths. We even have leaders of hugely influential companies abdicating their social responsibility to act against bad actors, allowing their platform to be taken over by fascist and racist agendas, presumably to protect bottom line profit....

I am running an online coding kata! This is a format I have run many times in person, with various companies. So it is now time to try it in the online, post-Covid world. Since this is its first time through, I am offering it for free . Tickets are limited. Sign up if interested. Come and get 'em while they're hot!