About
Thanks for checking me out and navigating to this page! This is where I can boast about myself without feeling guilty…
I’ve been in software since the late ’70s, learning to program “in theory” from a text book since I did not have access to a mainframe or a mini computer. In the late ’80s and early ’90s I was with Borland, the legendary software company that created a number of exceptional programming tools of the time. That’s where I learnt about the essence of making great software, and in particular about achieving software hyper-productivity. (You can read more about this in my blog post Software Hyper-productivity and Function Points).
Since the mid ’90s I became more involved in leading software development teams. This eventually arouse my interest in software processes and methodologies, and I became more involved in business aspects of software companies. I’ve helped software companies to do technical due diligence when acquiring other software companies. I’ve assisted in agile adoption and agile transformation programmes. I have managed software outsourcing projects. I have developed strategic reorganization plans for major corporations with tens of software development business units. I have introduced software product line engineering and software portfolio management to many clients. I have conducted many software project investment appraisals.
More significantly, recently I’ve been a contributing author to the book Agility Across Time and Space: Implementing Agile Methods in Global Software Projects
I hold a MSc in Software Project Management (Distinction) with the University of Aberdeen, for which I authored my final thesis on the topic: “Open Source in Commercial Projects, Challenges and Issues.” I researched, identified and investigated what management approaches are best suited for managing projects where proprietary software is built on top of Open Source Software (OSS). After extensive review of literature relating to OSS, legal aspects of OSS, project investment appraisal, and risk management, I synthesized a new methodology by extracting relevant methodology elements from existing software methodologies, and applying methodology design principles. I also presented a new software productivity metric, and an innovative approach to dynamic risk management combining Kanban with the Theory of Constraints.
Speaking of Open Source Software, I still like to tinker around with code for hobby, and do so with Open Source projects. I am the co-founder of the Railfrog project, and a contributor to RSpec. I participate in other Open Source projects, not the least Octopress, the superb blogging engine used to power this site of mine and others.
Web Presence
In addition to this site, you can find me on these places on the web: