September 2003
Kick-off Chapter Meeting
Improving the Software Product Development Process:
How to Avoid Seven Mistakes That Hamper Change Initiatives
Frode L. Ødegård
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
Countrywide, 2900 Madera, Simi Valley, CA 93065
Why are software companies having so much difficulty improving their product development process? And why is there such a gap between how executives think and conventional wisdom about "best practices"? In this lecture we will discuss how and why conventional approaches to software process improvement fail to bridge this gap. We will identify seven key mistakes that software companies can make when they embark on a change effort and discuss how to avoid them. Problem areas discussed will include how to get buy-in on all levels, how to retain continuing leadership support, how to effectively manage the change process, and how to get quantifiable bottom line results.
Frode L. degrd is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of degrd Labs, Inc. In addition to his management responsibilities, he also leads consulting engagements with clients. Frode is a frequent speaker on software engineering, software engineering management, and leadership. He is also the author of a forthcoming book on world-class software product development. Frode is a member of IEEE, ACM, ASL, ASQ, AFCEA and the Corporate Director's Forum. Prior to founding degrd Labs in 1991, Frode was the CEO of M2CS, a Norwegian start-up company developing next-generation software engineering tools.
degrd Labs, Inc. helps leaders transform their organizations to achieve world-class software product development. We help design, launch, and execute organizational change initiatives that produce breakthrough business results. We provide training and consulting services related to software engineering best practices, benchmarking, process improvement, leadership, strategy, and talent management. degrd Labs has helped clients in a wide variety of industries, from consumer electronics to internet applications and public safety. Organizations we have worked with include AT&T Wireless, Conexant Systems, NASA, Vinca, Plantronics, Sony Electronics Inc., MindSpeed Technologies, Positron, and TriTech Software Systems. Company.