Object Mentor Blog: The Physical Realm Matters

The Physical Realm Matters

Brett Schuchert — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 22:57:00 -0500

In 1997 I took a class called SEM offered by Weinberg and company. It was a rather profound learning experience; I’m probably not aware of much of what I learned. However, there’s one thing I learned that has been coming up lately.

The training was somewhat like an un-conference. We got together and as a group formed the schedule. It was hell. Somehow I ended up at the flip-chart taking notes. After I don’t know how long – certainly an hour, probably more – maybe much less, I wanted out. People were throwing out suggestions and I kept asking the group if anybody would like to take over. I pointed the marker even. I never got out of that role (at the course, that is).

Jerry took me aside afterwards and suggested that the next time I am in that situation, simply put the marker down and physically move.

Stupid, right? I should have just done that, right? Well the best time to plant a tree is 100 years ago, right now is the next best time. I have not forgotten that lesson. In fact, I often do just that and I often train people to do the same thing. It is absolutely amazing what moving can do. (It often increases the congruence between your words and your actions.)

What about pair programming? More often than not, workstations are not conducive to working in pairs. One person is “in front” and the other is over the shoulder, off to the side, whatever. Or, worse yet, the monitor is in the corner. The setup needs to allow for equal access to the keyboard, mouse and monitor. If not, then you are not peers, there’s the driver and the other person. That’s just a fact. The physical location is of first-order importance.

Here’s another example. In the scrum meetings you’ve attended, are people talking to each other or is everybody reporting to the manager? More often than not, I observe a status meeting with everybody standing up.

This week I observed a profound transformation that I hope sticks (OK, I thought it was important, we’ll see). I’ve been working with a team that was really doing the stand-up, activity-oriented, daily status report – cargo culting scrum meetings.

Last week we had a “come to your deity” meeting. The result, while painful, was useful. We went from having mostly activities in the backlog to a much better mix of deliverables and some activities (I’m not looking for perfection, just striving for it – perfection is a journey, not a destination). I came back this week (on Wednesday) and I was unimpressed with the wall of tasks – or rather the seeming lack of progress.

Wednesday we created a sprint burndown, calculated both by number of tasks and estimated ideal days (I prefer story points, but this team is using ideal time for a good reason).

Based on that, the team was simply going to be way too late. We published that chart and next day things were looking better. By idea days, we were going to be late but closer. Tasks were just about there.

Then today two things happened. During the scrum, better than half of the reporting was on what tasks had been completed and what tasks were on the table. It was simply amazing.

Another thing that I noticed was that the developers seemed to be talking to each other. Not 100%, but rather than a nearly visual conduit between the manager or scrum master and the person reporting, it was more of a broadcast. The quasi-circle stayed such; it did not become a line between reporter and manager, followed by another line.

I mentioned it to a few people. I’m not sure the team noticed it. I was really impressed with the team.

Of course I make a huge mistake. I did not tell them this right after the meeting so I missed a prime reinforcement opportunity.

The difference was palpable.

Years ago I learned the “trick” of not sitting “on a side” in meetings. If I was in a meeting with colleagues and clients, I tried to make sure to mix it up. This is another example of the same idea.

Bottom line, you often have a profound tool at your disposal that you can use. That’s your current location. If you need to mix things up then change from standing to sitting, or one side of the room to another. If you are at the front of the room, move to the back of the room. If you’re cowering in a corner, consider moving up to the table.

It really makes a difference.

What do you think?

"The Physical Realm Matters" by iPhone contacts backup

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:43:41 -0600

Get to know about C# and C++. In fact, I find there is no much difference between the two. However, If we want to do much better. I need work hard.

"The Physical Realm Matters" by grad school personal statement

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:33:25 -0600

I was really impressed. This is really interesting topic. Thank you very much!

"The Physical Realm Matters" by kkkz198608

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:34:41 -0600

Yesterday’s event was custom NFL jersey the first of its kind in China and drew more than 3,500 people, New York Giants most seemed to have a great time. But NFL jersey custom Shanghai has a population of 23 million, New England Patriots which suggests the NFL still has a lot of work ahead.Inside, people are trying to throw passes to Philadelphia Eagles wooden cutouts of NFL players.And this NFL custom jerseys is MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I’m Renee Montagne.NPR’s Frank custom NFL jerseys Langfitt was there.

"The Physical Realm Matters" by Medical billing and coding guide

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 07:24:30 -0600

I had been really because of this site and taking advantage of the truly amazing technology within this website and useful info within this blog. Thanks for discussing the excellent info within this blog.

To know more our website visit hereMedical billing and coding guide

"The Physical Realm Matters" by pas cher nike air max Tn

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:03:56 -0600

Produits et remises en augmentant l’impact du coût de la première baisse de marge brute trimestre requin tn l’année dernière. Cependant, la baisse de la marge brute que la société devrait être faible, car très rentable de l’entreprise d’augmenter les ventes magasin, en plus de place et une hausse des prix a également aidé. Nike Charlie Denson président a dit, bien que plus cher chaussures Nike et des vêtements, mais la marque air max tn est peu probable qu’il disparaisse aux yeux des clients là-bas. Comme les prix des matières premières, augmentation de Nike rival Adidas et Puma correspondante des prix cette année air max 90s .

"The Physical Realm Matters" by christian louboutin

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:38:09 -0500

Good post,I need to learn.

"The Physical Realm Matters" by zobi

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:18:07 -0500

This modernist teaching is gnosticism-a religion that is all spiritual truths & ethereal ideals, & the fruit of gnosticism is that the physical realm doesn’t matter. What matters is the spiritual realm. The result of thinking that the physical realm doesn’t matter is that people therefore do whatever they like in the physical realm. They may reply (according to their persona type) with decadence or detachment. The may become either a connoisseur or a consumer. It doesn’t matter-either way they don’t think that their response to the physical world makes a small bit of difference eternally. jogos de motos & mensagens de carinho & play flash game & guitar hero online & actor actress

"The Physical Realm Matters" by canada goose coat

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:14:40 -0500

When it comes to feather dress, what appears in your mind? Which kind brand of down jacket do you like prefer? Though there are many down jackets for you to choose from, on the word, which one you really enjoy? I want to say that canada goose coats is really your best choice. I believe you can’t agree with me any more. When you take the quality into consideration, you will find that it is superior to any other kind of coat. Besides, discount canada goose jackets is a world well-known brand, which has gained high reputation in the world, which has accepted by our customers and some organization. Because of its high quality, some of our loyal customers have promoted it to the people around them. In their opinion, it is good to informing others to know it. Recently, Canada Goose Trillium Parka is on hot sale. What I have to inform you is that all the products there are made by hand, so they are elaborative and elegant enough. It is really beautiful once you dress in. So, if you are a lovely girl or woman, go to the store to buy one for you. You will appreciate it that you have such a coat.In addition, they also have any other products like canada goose Gloves and canada goose jacket supplier.Hope your will like its!

"The Physical Realm Matters" by robert.robot369@gmail.com

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 02:21:03 -0500

I am really satisfied by the nice services in this blog and the nice technology is visible in this blog. This is really very happy for providing the amazing services in this blog and great services in this blog Program Coordinator Job Description|Hospital Administrator Job Description|Cook Job Description|Registered Nurse Job Description

"The Physical Realm Matters" by beats by dre store

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:43:21 -0500

finished the Tang Chuangshang chat. Suddenly her roommate came back, pushed open the door to see my ass, it is embarrassing to make way. I comforted his girlfriend, said never mind, we are familiar, l

5 Department of row sketch show. Boys: “We two have been 6. Yesterday a student wabeats by dre sale cheap beats by dres sick, I take a bus 930 back to school

"The Physical Realm Matters" by Buy Womens True Religion Flare Jeans

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 04:22:04 -0500

Buy Mens True Religion Bootcut Jeans thanks for sharing such informative and fantastic post..pandora jewelry pandora sale uk thomas sabo barcklets shop buy cheap online oakley sunglasses charmsi love travelling and listening to the musici love travelling and listening to the musicBuy Mens True Religion Flare Jeans Buy Mens True Religion Skinny Jeans

"The Physical Realm Matters" by Adidas Panda Shoes

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:26:52 -0500

Back in 2004, Eric E. Schmidt, Google’s then chief executive, proclaimed, “We’re not going into the phone business, but we’re going to make sure Google is on those phones.”Adidas Panda Shoes| Jeremy Scott Panda Shoes

"The Physical Realm Matters" by Snow Knee Boots

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:00:54 -0500

It’s a wonderful post.I agree with your view about team.Now I have been working with a team.Teamwork is very important.You should have paid a lot for your blog.thanks for sharing your effort with us.

"The Physical Realm Matters" by beats by dr dre headphones

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 23:32:04 -0500

I found that his foot odors never bring us to death.I never regret buying these beats by dr dre studio for him.

"The Physical Realm Matters" by christian louboutin shoes on sale

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 07:29:08 -0500

What a wonderful article!

"The Physical Realm Matters" by okey oyunu oyna

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:12:05 -0500

nice article i like it.

internette görüntülü olarak okey oyunu oyna, gerçek kisilerle tanis, turnuva heyecanini yasa.

"The Physical Realm Matters" by SEO Firm India

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:34:53 -0500

It looks like you have really placed a lot of effort into your blog and I require more of these on the web these days. My husband actually loved your article. I don’t have a great deal to say in retort, I only this minute wanted to comment to say well done.

"The Physical Realm Matters" by Backup iPhone SMS

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 19:28:33 -0600

Keep your Contacts and SMS safe! Actually, the contacts and SMS have more values than a cell phone’s own value. You can pay money to buy a new iPhone, but cannot buy your lost contacts and SMS back. So it’s important for you to backup your contacts and SMS in iPhone. And we recommend you backup contacts and SMS regularly. Our backup software can help you take a snapshot for your contacts and SMS. Your important personal information will be never lost.

"The Physical Realm Matters" by Matteo

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:35:03 -0600

nice and good sharing

"The Physical Realm Matters" by Criminal Records

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:05:59 -0600

I’ve been working with a team that was really doing the stand-up, activity-oriented, daily status report – cargo culting scrum meetings.

"The Physical Realm Matters" by http://www.blacktowhiteiphone4.com

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 00:29:11 -0600

Is white iphone 4 available right now? Cuz my friend told me he just got the white iphone 4 panel. But i haven’s seen it sold in my area. What’s wrong?

"The Physical Realm Matters" by Pandora

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 02:32:41 -0600

the Earth is superimposed onto the motion of the rest of the planets. In this simulation you are riding on the Sun, and large planets make the Sun wobble.

"The Physical Realm Matters" by Brandon Carlson

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:05:09 -0500

Absolutely agree. At my last position we had one or two holdouts. Once I realized who the nay-sayers were I made it a point to never sit across from either of them in meetings, always managed to find a seat right next to one of them (which was easy since they were the only two that didn’t play nice). The difference over time was noticeable. They were much more agreeable than when I sat across from them.

Subtle things like that are quite interesting.

Brandon