Comments on: Local optimization doesn’t necessarily mean improvement http://www.lucagrulla.it/blog/2009/02/14/local-optimization-doesnt-necessarily-mean-improvement/ The blog formerly known as "(s)ragionamenti polimorfici" Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:40:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Luca http://www.lucagrulla.it/blog/2009/02/14/local-optimization-doesnt-necessarily-mean-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-13034 Luca Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:39:16 +0000 http://www.lucagrulla.it/blog/?p=209#comment-13034 Hi Lachlan, I definitively see the value of a focused function retrospective in specific scenarios (and I agree with you that can be an extremely useful technique specially regarding the creation of a safe environment), but I still think it shouldn't be a ritual but more an exceptional event. In particular with teams where communication is not so strong that kind of approach will not help the people understand that collaboration is not just interaction but more working with a common intent in their mind. Hi Lachlan,

I definitively see the value of a focused function retrospective in specific scenarios (and I agree with you that can be an extremely useful technique specially regarding the creation of a safe environment), but I still think it shouldn’t be a ritual but more an exceptional event.

In particular with teams where communication is not so strong that kind of approach will not help the people understand that collaboration is not just interaction but more working with a common intent in their mind.

]]> By: Lachlan http://www.lucagrulla.it/blog/2009/02/14/local-optimization-doesnt-necessarily-mean-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-13030 Lachlan Tue, 17 Feb 2009 20:47:24 +0000 http://www.lucagrulla.it/blog/?p=209#comment-13030 Can I agree and disagree with this? Well I have, and now you can't stop me. I agree that local optimization is risky without a focus on the whole, but I have had successful and focused function (for want of a better word) retrospectives. Giving a functional group a chance to examine how they are working within specific constraints can result in helping to optimize the overall work of the team. If (for example) it's perceived that the testers spends a lot of time waiting for something to be delivered and then there is a game of defect tennis. It's worthwhile having some time with the testers to 1 - gain their understanding in a safe environment (ie testers only), 2 - have them come up with a plan to resolve the issue in context of goal and practices of the project. Can I agree and disagree with this? Well I have, and now you can’t stop me.

I agree that local optimization is risky without a focus on the whole, but I have had successful and focused function (for want of a better word) retrospectives. Giving a functional group a chance to examine how they are working within specific constraints can result in helping to optimize the overall work of the team.

If (for example) it’s perceived that the testers spends a lot of time waiting for something to be delivered and then there is a game of defect tennis. It’s worthwhile having some time with the testers to 1 – gain their understanding in a safe environment (ie testers only), 2 – have them come up with a plan to resolve the issue in context of goal and practices of the project.

]]> By: Marco http://www.lucagrulla.it/blog/2009/02/14/local-optimization-doesnt-necessarily-mean-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-13029 Marco Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:00:22 +0000 http://www.lucagrulla.it/blog/?p=209#comment-13029 People tend t forget that the important thing is the amount of business value flowing through your organization and often end up optimizing a part to the detriment of the system. Avoiding components over systemwide optimization is key to turning an organization's business ideas into business value fast(er). People tend t forget that the important thing is the amount of business value flowing
through your organization and often end up optimizing a part to the detriment of the system. Avoiding components over systemwide optimization is key to turning an organization’s business ideas into business value fast(er).

]]> By: Jeff Santini http://www.lucagrulla.it/blog/2009/02/14/local-optimization-doesnt-necessarily-mean-improvement/comment-page-1/#comment-13027 Jeff Santini Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:30:35 +0000 http://www.lucagrulla.it/blog/?p=209#comment-13027 That does sound scary. I hope you are not on a project where that is going on. Jeff That does sound scary. I hope you are not on a project where that is going on.

Jeff

]]>