​Stop Arguing! Quit SHOUTING! Start Dialoguing!

Emotionally charged conversations are never fun.  How many times have you felt challenged and become defensive? How many times have you been hurt, so you clam up and don’t speak?  Have you wanted to have a conversation with someone, but were unsure of their reactions, so you don’t talk at all?  These are all common scenarios.  During this session you will hear multiple stories and how they could play out - both good & bad.  You should leave this presentation with some tips & tricks for effective dialog, resources for further learning, and a positive message that effective dialog CAN happen!
Speech presented at:
  • Music City Agile 2017
  • Music City Code 2017
​
http://gerryclaps.com/scrumban-agile-framework/
Speech presented at:
  • IIBA BAPDD 2015
  • DevSpace Conf 2015

SCRUMBAN?!?! - What is it and how can it help your team?

Scrum & Kanban are two different ways to implement Agile processes– but what do they really mean and how are they different?  This talk will compare and contrast the two methodologies, and provide ideal situations in which both can be used.  We’ll then discuss what happens when you combine the two methodologies – SCRUMBAN?!?!  We’ll discuss when it’s ideal to have a Scrum team utilizing Kanban tools, the benefits in doing so and how your team can be more productive in your Agile processes!
​

Converting to Agile: Answering the Common Questions

Moving to an Agile mentality can be challenging.  There are many processes that are not inherent to a team that has been doing Waterfall their entire career.  In this session we will be breaking down the sections of Scrum including the meetings, reports, and processes.  We will discuss what the meetings are as well as dive into why they are all important.  Why are you being asked to have code ready in 2 weeks? Why do we have to spend time every morning in a stand up? Why do I have to participate in a retrospective? What the heck is a ‘self-organizing’ team and why is it important?  What is velocity and why should I care? What do you mean the requirements changed? When do requirement changes get implemented/added to the scope? We will answer these questions and more! At the end of this session, you should have a better understanding of the meetings and processes in an Agile environment and why they are important. You can then take these answers back for when you are asked the common questions!
http://www.spectrain.co.uk/when-agile-performance-becomes-fragile/agile-pills/
Speech presented at:
  • DevSpace Conf 2015
  • Code PaLOUsa 2016
  • IIBA Columbus Meeting 5/11/2016
  • Music City Code 2016
  • DevSpace Conf 2016
Speech presented at:
  • Code PaLOUsa 2016
  • That Conference 2016
  • DevSpace Conf 2016

Scrum is Agile; Agile is NOT Scrum

Agile is a major buzzword in the development industry.  However, most of the time when we hear the word Agile, we envision Scrum.  I will be reviewing with you the definition of Agile and why Agile is larger than Scrum.  Many of you are probably in an environment that is considered "Wagile" or a waterfall and agile mix.  I want to challenge you to investigate whether this is actually true.  Are you really "wagile" or are you Agile with a mix of agile implementations?  Come join me as we investigate the core of Agile and some common environments that don't follow a common Scrum implementation.

AIRPLANES! AERODYNAMIC FUNDAMENTALS WITH CONTEST

​In this session, we will talk about the basic aerodynamic fundamentals of paper airplanes. We will discuss the different aspects of a paper airplane that can affect how far the plane will fly, including crisp fold lines, paper weight, and design. After these discussions, you will get the chance to make your own paper airplane from a variety of different supplies and designs. And finally, we will have a contest to see who’s plane goes the furthest and with the winner getting a prize at the end!
http://www.cdn.sciencebuddies.org/Files/4514/14/physics-forces-paper-airplane.jpg
Speech presented at:
  • Codemash 2016
  • That Conference 2016