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ThoughtWorks Perspectives | July 2009


Hi ,

In this issue we have pulled together a wide variety of upcoming events, articles, recent presentations on film, and blogs - a selection of recent ideas from many ThoughtWorkers which we hope you will find useful.

Please do join us for this month's webinar, The Agile PMO:  Real Time Metrics - more details below.


Webinars

Webinar:  The Agile PMO: Real Time Metrics | Ross Pettit
Tuesday, 14 July, 12:00 CDT (Chicago), 18:00 GMT (London), 22:30 IST (Bangalore)

The most important IT initiatives - those that are subject to the greatest level of scrutiny - still crater late in their delivery cycle. These failures expose the "PMO divide" - the gap between the effort-based metrics PMOs commonly use to measure success, and the results based indicators they should rely on.

  • Using requirements - not abstractions - as gatekeepers
  • Transparency - How can the PMO get unambiguous line-of-sight into the project
  • Metrics -  We need real-time information.  What is signal and what is just noise?
  • Collection - How to collect project data efficiently, so that it's not a burden to the team.
Full event details and register for the webinar here.

Webinar:  DSL Construction Using Ruby | Harshal Hayatnagarkar & Rohan Kini
Wednesday, 8 July, 8:00 CDT (Chicago), 14:00 GMT (London), 18:30 IST (Bangalore)

Simplicity, ease of use, clean syntax and clear semantics are the characteristics of a good DSL that enables users to focus on the problem.  It is non-trivial to define, develop and maintain a DSL, especially using traditional compiler techniques. The Ruby programming language solves this issue to a certain extent.
  • Fundamentals of DSLs
  • Introduction of Ruby features for writing DSLs
  • Writing a DSL - The speakers' experience, with examples
  • Challenges and issues
Full event details and register for the webinar here.

 Videos

Hot Topics in Technology Panel Debate | ThoughtWorks Technology Advisory Board
Cloud | Language Workbenches | Developer Certification | Polyglot Programming

ThoughtWorks technical leaders from around the world gathered in Chicago to debate the hottest new topics in our industry.  Access this video to learn more about the trends that we believe are shaping a new paradigm for how IT delivers value to business stakeholders and society.


Cloud Computing | Martin Fowler & Dr. Rebecca Parsons at Google I/O Conference
App Engine for Java:  An Enterprise Cumulonimbus?

Enterprise software pundits are now gazing metaphorically skyward.  There's all this talk of clouds, but what kind of clouds are coming, and will they be friendly?  ThoughtWorks' Chief Scientist and CTO present some of the applications ThoughtWorks developed for App Engine at the Google I/O Conference and discuss broader issues enterprises will face with moving to the cloud.  Watch this video now.

Web-based Integration | Ian Robinson & Jim Webber Interview at QCon London

In this interview , recorded at QCon London 2009, Ian Robinson and Jim Webber talk to Stefan Tilkov about the Web as a platform for integration, the usefulness of various degrees of RESTful HTTP and the benefits of REST in theory and practice.

Articles & Blogs

Three Key Technologies to point out to your client | Aaron Erickson

Functional Programming - Cloud Computing - Rich Internet Applications in combo with User Experience.  When applied appropriately, these three key technologies can help clients reduce cost, reduce risk, and capitalize  on new market opportunities.  In this article , Aaron Erickson, author of The Nomadic Developer, suggests discussing these three popular technologies with clients.

Arbitrary Modeling Language | Neal Ford

UML (Unified Modeling Language) is a failure because it is too technical for non-technical people and not technical enough for technical people. It also encourages Big Design Up Front.  AML (Arbitrary Modeling Language) is both more common and more useful; it's the simple lines and drawings on white boards that developers create as transient artifacts.  Neal Ford expands on these concepts in his Meme Agora blog .


Think Before You Speak | Steven "Doc" List

"What we've got here is failure to communicate."  Remember that line from Cool Hand Luke?  It's something experienced facilitator, Steven List, keeps in mind when working with development teams, particularly Agile teams.  In this article Steven outlines effective communication that will help yield better results, improve productivity, and enhance team cohesion.


Global Events Calendar

Mingle User Group Meeting | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

ThoughtWorks sponsored Agile Brazil 2009, which took place in Rio de Janeiro over the weekend.  We have organized a follow-on event for Agile enthusiasts.  The Rio Mingle User Group (MUG) Meeting is an exclusive meet for Mingle users in Brazil to discuss and share their experience with Mingle.  Adam Monago, our product expert, along with other Agile experts, will take you through Mingle and its features and provide you tips and tricks on how to better use Mingle for project management and collaboration.  

When:  Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 17:30 - 19:00

Where:  PUC-Rio, Rua Marques de Sao Vicente 225 - Predio Padre Leonel Franca - 12 andar - Gavea

Register by sending an e-mail to Studios-Brazil@thoughtworks.com.


Agile 2009 | Chicago, Illinois, United States

Agile 2009 is an exciting international conference that gives attendees access to the latest thinking in this domain, and bridges communities that rarely get a chance to exchange ideas and thoughts.  ThoughtWorks is a platinum sponsor of Agile 2009, and we are proud to announce almost 20 sessions led by ThoughtWorkers.  

More details on Agile 2009 in the next Perspectives 

When:  24 - 28 August, 2009

Where:  Hyatt Regency, 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601

Registration: Full event details and register here.



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