Retro Time // A Software Podcast

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06. MVP 2 Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

The term “Minimum Viable Product” can be a loaded term. Specifically, the words “minimum” and “viable” often mean different things to different people. In reality, getting the MVP right is a lot harder than it seems.

Too often, teams approach MVP in “panic” mode. The stakes are high. They’ve got to get it right the first time. But there’s no room for failure. That’s a big problem because when an MVP is done correctly we should expect to get some things wrong.

Crafting the right MVP is all about experimentation and learning. If we’re in panic mode, we have to get it right the first time. If we knew exactly what to build the first time, there would be no reason to build an “MVP.”

It’s important to approach an MVP with a sense of “urgency” not “panic.” Urgency lets everyone know that what they’re working on is critical to success, and it’s important that we get it right. To that end, when we nurture and cultivate a culture of learning and experimentation. We know it won’t be right the first time. We will get some things wrong. We will adapt and iterate, and eventually, we’ll get it right.

Topics
• 01:00 – The original Minimum Viable Podcast
• 02:20 – “We Can Do Hard Things”
• 03:30 – A surface-level understanding
• 04:30 – MVP sounds easy but it’s not.
• 05:20 – Urgency vs Panic
• 08:45 – What is minimum and viable?
• 12:30 – MVP is about learning
• 19:20 – Some people may think you’re wasting time
• 21:20 – Tactics for proving them wrong
• 30:40 – Derek’s words of wisdom

Helpful Links
• “We Can Do Hard Things” – Glennon Doyle
• RetroBytes: Minimum Viable Podcast

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RetroByte: Minimum Viable Podcast Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

In episode 06 Derek and Jeremy discuss what the term “MVP” really means. But back in 2019, our heroes recorded their very first episode of Retro Time with a cheap USB mic and no script, not even an outline.

It was fitting that our very first episode discussed the term “MVP.” It’s equally fitting that the original episode discussing MVP was a little too minimum and not so viable after all.

In the true spirit of agile, we realized we could do better, we did a retrospective, we learned, and we iterated. Ultimately we decided it wasn’t a great first episode and decided not to release it.

We decided to finally release our first “full” episode as a RetroByte this week to coincide with our MVP redux episode. We hope you get a kick out of it.

Topics
• 00:01 – Derek’s analogy
• 02:00 – Most Valuable Peanut
• 04:15 – Eric Reese’s definition of MVP
• 06:30 – MVP for Enterprise
• 10:02 – Viable for the end-user
• 11:40 – Paper as MVP?
• 13:20 – Minimum software isn’t always flexible
• 13:40 – Minimum Flexible Product?

Helpful Links
• The Lean Startup
• Lean Enterprise
• Ep 06. MVP2

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RetroByte: COVID-19 Week 2 Check In Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

With busy schedules, Derek and Jeremy have a weekly catch up blocked off on their calendars every Friday afternoon to catch up. Being stuck at home won’t keep them from meeting. With the wonders of technology, now you can be a part of their weekly catch up too.

Topics:
• 1:30 – Sad things
• 12:00 – Good things

Helpful Links:
• Algiers Point Association
• Anaise St. Germain
• Charlie and Mia Harloran

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05. Working from Home: The New Normal Mar 24, 2020

Show notes

It’s no doubt that the Covid 19 pandemic has had a significant impact across the world. The tech industry is lucky that we’re well equipped to work from home. Unfortunately, this new normal is completely alien to most of us. But we’re in luck! There are companies out there that have been doing this successfully for quite some time.

Derek and Jeremy talk with Pam Kocke, Happiness Engineer at Automattic– The people who bring you WordPress.com and WooCommerce. Automattic has a global, 100% distributed workforce.

Pam offers some insights into how Automattic manages to build a strong distributed team. She also offers some great advice on how to get work done without an office to go to.

We’re still looking for tips on how to WFH with a house full of screaming toddlers. If anyone has figured this out, please hurry and write an e-book. You’ll make a ton of money.

Topics
• 1:40 – Hot Clorox Wipes Tip
• 9:40 – Lines or no lines?
• 16:50 – Slack Slack Slack
• 17:40 – Team calls with video chat
• 20:00 – GIFs, not GIFs
• 21:50 – Prioritize communication
• 23:00 – Never assume intent
• 25:30 – Make a separate work space
• 26:15 – Aimee’s box of tricks
• 26:25 – Linus has cheese balls
• 28:00 – Go easy on yourself
• 31:30 – Put on some damn pants!

Helpful Links
• New Orleans Mom Blog
• Aimee’s Box of Tricks
• Work with Automattic
• Automattic’s P2 Theme
• Pam’s Blog – pyjammy.blog

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The post 05. Working from Home: The New Normal appeared first on Retro Time.

04. Shaking Out of a Bad Dream Mar 08, 2020

Show notes

The Five Monkeys Experiment is often used as evidence that humans are likely to end up being conditioned to do the same thing over and over simply because “that’s the way it’s always been done.” The good news is that this whole experiment is a lie, and that’s not really how it works in real life.

In real life, monkeys aren’t robots. And people aren’t robots. They’re looking for someone to step up and change things.

Is your team stuck in this terrible loop of doing the same thing over and over and over again? Be the inspirational monkey who goes for that banana. Change the process for the better and make a difference.

Topics
• 1:10 – Mulligan
• 2:00 – The Five Monkeys Experiment
• 4:45 – People aren’t robots
• 7:40 – Mighty Mousin’ it
• 12:50 – Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change
• 15:00 – Your social network controls you
• 24:12 – Forget about perfection

Helpful Links
• What Monkeys Can Teach Us About Human Behavior: From Facts to Fiction
• Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change, Second Edition
• Delancey Street Foundation

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03. Imposter Syndrome Feb 14, 2020

Show notes

Imposter Syndrome is surprisingly common in the design and software engineering practices. It’s important to know that everyone goes through this and it’s a completely normal phase on your journey to becoming an experienced professional.

Don’t fret! It’s something you can grow out of by following a few relatively simple tips:
• Get back to the basics.
• Find a good mentor.
• Be a good mentor.
• Keep your chin up.
• Remember, Derek thinks you’re great.

Topics
• 1:18 – What is Imposter Syndrome?
• 3:48 – Jeremy’s story
• 6:43 – Derek’s story
• 11:30 – Share what you know
• 13:10 – Break the problem down into smaller bits
• 16:00 – Find a mentor
• 17:30 – Be a mentor
• 19:50 – Derek thinks you’re great
• 20:34 – It’s not a problem, but a stage

Helpful Links
• Psychology Today: The Reality of Imposter Syndrome
• Time: Yes, Impostor Syndrome Is Real. Here’s How to Deal With It

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02. The Coming Storm Feb 05, 2020

Show notes

Storms are big bad events that we want to avoid. Our job is to act like meteorologists, track the potential storm and try to do what we can to prepare for bad weather. Sometimes these storms are avoidable. What are some indications that a storm is coming? Sometimes these storms are unavoidable, unpredictable. Sometimes storms are surprises.

Your best bet is to have constant communication with your team and make sure you build strong relationships. The stronger your relationship is with your team the more likely you will be to weather any storm.

Topics
• 1:40 – What is a storm?
• 6:00 – Some Indications
• 15:30 – The last responsible moment
• 18:00 – Derek talks spicy pickles
• 19:00 – Derek talks sweet pickles

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01. Thriving in a Corporate Environment Jan 17, 2020

Show notes

Jeremy and Derek wear Hawaiian shirts on Friday to make working at a giant company a little smaller and more personable… Even though Jeremy forgot to wear his for the taping of this episode.

Topics
• 4:00 – Working for a startup
• 4:40 – Jeremy talks about hot tubs
• 7:30 – Working for a large organization
• 15:00 – Here’s how we cope

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