Herding Cats

Quote of the Day

This axiom often attributed to Albert Einstein about the definition of insanity. As it turns out, insanity might be crediting this quote to Einstein over and over again. He never said it. While the tongue-in-cheek definition may or may not... Read more →

Quote of the Day

The English Language ... becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts - Geroge Orwell, "Politics and the English Language Read more →

Systems Engineering Principles

A critically missing process in many IT projects, especially Agile development projects, are the principles of Systems Engineering. Where I work many times, Systems Engineering dominates the program. Space Flight, Embedded Systems, Software Intensive System of Systems. In these domains,... Read more →

Quote of the Day

“Danger, disquiet, anxiety attend the unknown—the first instinct is to eliminate those distressing states. First principle: any explanation is better than none. . . . The first idea which explains that the unknown is in fact the known does so... Read more →

Lessons Learned from the Columbia Disaster (Update)

This week I taught a 4-day course on Progressive Concepts in Program Management at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. One of the workshops used the NASA Columbia accident as an example (NASA report calls these things mishaps). This... Read more →

Quote of the Day

Practices don't follow rules Rules follow emerging practices Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster 10 Years Later, Wayne Hale, Former NASA Space Shuttle Flight Director. Read more →

Quote of the Day

If we understand what Capabilities are needed to produce business value or fulfill a mission, we can then identify what technical or operational requirements are needed to deliver those capabilities — Glen B. Alleman This is a closing quote from... Read more →

Quote(s) of the Day

“I never allow myself to have an opinion on anything that I don’t know the other side’s argument better than they do.” — Charlie Munger “We all are learning, modifying, or destroying ideas all the time. Rapid destruction of your... Read more →

Quote of the Day

This is the 50th anniversary of the Apollo mission. Here's a special quote about the management of that mission, that is applicable today In my career, I've worked for a lot of really good managers, and of course, Gene Kranz... Read more →

Quote of the Day

I want to know God's thoughts. The rest is mere details - Albert Einstein Read more →