Q: What do you perceive as the greatest current challenge for software development managers and how do you help them overcome it?

The greatest current (and past and future) challenge for software development managers, and for all humans everywhere I suspect, is accurately perceiving reality and effectively accounting for it in their behavior. . . .

 

Q: What is your number one software project management tip, trick or technique?

Discussion should be illegal. Less talk, more code.

— PM Interviews: Jim McCarthy

My primary complaint about scheduling is simple: that people are willing to proceed as if they can look into a crystal ball about the future. They act as if they can plan out the future. As if they can control the future. It’s the control part that really gets to me. It bugs me because it’s a false belief. It’s simply not true. You can not control the future, and the belief you can is just so destructive of creativity, teamwork, spontaneity and interaction among one another. This false belief is just a complete energy zapper, an unwholesome energy sink.

— Michele McCarthy

This transcript of a Jim and Michele McCarthy podcast is the best discussion of scheduling I’ve read today, maybe ever . . .

In addition to the timely pay for acceptable services he offers, there are a few additional conditions that he imposes on you, if you are one of his subordinates. These are:

1. What actions you take, you believe in.
2. What commitments you make, you keep,
3. What resources you have, you use.
4. What words you say, you believe to be true.
5. What you create, you intend to be great.

 

He knows that if you buy something from an expert, you are wise to let them to deliver it on their own. . . .

He requires that the team credibly believe itself to be doing something great, and also insists that all involved relentlessly pursue - and always adopt - what they think is the best available idea. . . .

He never allows people to say, “People say…” If unidentified “people” have something to say, they can come say it. He listens. He just doesn’t believe in the self-appointed representation of selves not one’s own.

— Jim and Michele McCarthy, “The Perfect Boss”