This is from the Standish Blog, introducing the interview with Jeff Sutherland.
So let's think a bit about the survey of 300 IT Executives. You call them up and ask do you thing skills are important in executing a software development method? An agile development process?
You should have asked do you think skills are important in performing the work assignments of the IT department?
What kind of IT Executive would say nope, I don't think skills are important in performing the work assignments of my department, I'm just going to hire and assign work to people who have no skills in their assigned job.
Are you out of your mind? What kind of survey question is this. What's more amazing is 6% of the IT Executive said skils were only somewhat important.
The sad thing here is Standish then wants you to sign up for access to their survey database for $1,500.
This type of question doesn't even pass the smell test. Here are some alternatives:
- How important do you think having a senior leader in agile development is for the success of your agile efforts, one with sufficient experience and skills to perform a consulting and coaching role?
- Do you think you will be able to roll out agile development in the absence of journeyman level staff?
- Do you have plans to hire journeyman level staff prior to starting your first agile software development effort?
- Would you hire external consultants to play needed roles on your staff until they become journeyman level?
