Agile Leadership:
What Is It, How Do We Do It!
The APLN Dallas Leadership Summit
February 21-22, 2008
(Full-day on the 21st; Half-day on the 22nd)
Radisson Hotel Central Dallas
6060 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, Texas
Speakers and Presenters include:
- Niel Nickolaisen, CIO and Director of Strategic Planning, Headwaters, Inc.
- Todd Little, Senior Development Manager, Landmark Graphics, Inc.
- Pollyanna Pixton, President, Evolutionary Systems
- Sue McKinney, VP Cross-SWG Integration and Development Transformation,
IBM Software Group
- Chris Matts, Business Analyst Consultant, Royal Bank of Scotland
- David Anderson, Founder of Modus Cooperandi
| |
| Title Sponsor |
 |
| |
| Silver Sponsor |
 |
| |
| Bronze Sponsors |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
Speaker Topics, Abstracts and Biographies
The APLN Dallas Leadership Summit will focus on the specifics of the Declaration of Interdependence (DOI). Speakers will address the DOI values followed by think tank sessions to collaboratively solve issues we, as leaders, see in our organizations.
"Situationally Specific Business Value (or, Business Value, Wherefore Art Thou?)"
By Niel Nickolaisen, CIO and Director of Strategic Planning, Headwaters, Inc.
Presentation
Audio
Abstract: How can we link project design and priority decisions to business value? How can we link business value decisions to strategy? In this presentation, Niel Nickolaisen introduces models that you can immediately use to develop situationally-specific processes and practices that improve the delivery of business value. After introducing the model, Niel describes how to implement the models in both project and organizational settings.
About Niel: Niel Nickolaisen has held technology executive (CIO) and operations executive (COO) positions in large- and medium-sized enterprises, typically in turnaround roles. He is expert in the rapid/adaptive selection, implementation, and deployment of enterprise business applications, analysis tools, and systems. He has developed a strategic and tactical alignment model that results in significantly improved returns on technology and business initiatives (by both improving the benefits and reducing the costs and risks). Named IT Executive of the Year at the 2004 Gartner Research Mid-Sized Enterprise Summit, writes for CIO Leaders Magazine and Cutter Consortium.
Sign Up Today! Click Here!
"It Depends"
By Todd Little, Senior Development Manager, Landmark Graphics, Inc.
Presentation
Audio
Abstract: The "one size fits all" approach to Project Leadership is inherently flawed. We have found that the two primary attributes of uncertainty and complexity of a project provide guidance to effective project leadership and governance. Complexity includes project composition such as team size and criticality, while uncertainty includes both market and technical uncertainty. The approach and leadership style required for a simple, stable project is quite different than what is required for highly uncertain, highly complex projects.
About Todd: For over 25 years Todd has been involved in almost all aspects of software development with a focus on commercial software applications for oil and gas exploration and production. He writes on complexity and uncertainty for IEEE and Cutter Consortium as well as presenting at Agile 200x, Agile Business Conference, and IEEE Equity.
He is on the Board of Directors for the AgileAlliance. In 2003, he co-founded the Agile Development Conference, and served as the Program Director for ADC2004 and for Agile2005 and Agile2006.
He is a co-author of the Declaration of Interdependence for Agile Project Leadership and a founding member and current President of the Agile Project Leadership Network (APLN).
Sign Up Today! Click Here!
"Unleashing Creativity and Innovation Through Collaboration"
By Pollyanna Pixton, President, Evolutionary Systems
Presentation
Audio
Abstract: Innovation is critically important to success. How responsive is your organization to new ideas about improving operations, product lines, and services will determine your future? To increase productivity, successful leaders create adaptive and participatory organizations. Collaborative cultures foster innovation and trust, encourage creative solutions and expect value-based participation in all areas of responsibility. To create such environments requires a collaborative leader.
About Pollyanna:
Pollyanna developed the models for Collaboration and Collaborative Leadership through 35 years inside and consulting with corporations and organizations.
She was primarily responsible for leading the development of the Swiss electronic stock exchange. In addition, she led the development of control systems for electrical power plants throughout the world and the merging of the technologies and data systems of large financial institutions.
She speaks and writes on topics of collaborative leadership and business ethics and is currently working on a book focusing on collaborative leadership. Vice President of the APLN, her education includes a master's degree in computer science, three years of graduate studies in theoretical physics, and a bachelor's degree in mathematics.
Sign Up Today! Click Here!
"The Dancing Agile Elephant: IBM Software Group's Transition to Agile and Lean Development"
By Sue McKinney, Vice President, Development Transformation and Integration, International Business Machines
Presentation
Audio
Abstract: This session explores the approach and challenges to transforming multi-thousand person division to adopt new approaches to developing software. Questions about how to inspire and motivate change, identifying the change agents, the tooling to enable the masses will be discussed. Additionally, how does this affect leadership team and what are the new leadership skills required within the development team and in support of the development team.
About Sue:
Currently responsible for development transformational activities with IBM's software development group, her major emphasis is driving adoption of Agile and Lean principles into the mainstream of software development. Prior to this assignment, Sue was a Vice President of Development for the Lotus Division where she led world wide development for Lotus Domino, IBM Sametime and Websphere Portal. In addition to driving transformational activities within IBM, Sue works with large clients to share IBM's experience and help them scope opportunities for their own transformational activities.
Sign Up Today! Click Here!
"Real Options in a Nutshell - Managing Risk or Uncertainty"
By Chris Matts, Business Analyst Consultant, Royal Bank of Scotland
Presentation
Audio
Abstract: This session introduces the subject of Real Options and how they can be applied to virtually any decision that needs to be made.
This session is about changing peoples mindset and behavior. Started out as a quest to price real options, we found a rational decision making process based on maths and logic rather than emotion, feelings and intuition. This model explains why many agile practices are successful.
Key to managing risk, or uncertainty is understanding the stress that uncertainty can cause us. Stress that Real Options help to alleviate.
Leaving this session people discover options where they have not seen them before. Decision making after this session will never be the same again.
About Chris:
Chris Matts is programme manager with a strong background in business analysis and development. He uses real options and agile project management techniques (Lean, Theory of Constraints, Business Value) to optimise the delivery of business value whilst effectively managing project risks. Chris has coached business and project teams in Agile Management, Analysis and Investment Banking for many years. He is a noted expert and speaker on Real Options, Agile Analysis and Business Value. He has a Masters degree in Mathematical Trading and Finance and a Masters Degree in Microelectronics and Software Engineering. Over the past 14 years, Chris has worked on derivative risk and trading systems at JP Morgan Chase, BNP Paribas, British Petroleum, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, Chase Manhatten (Pre Merger) and Robert Fleming.
Chris is also dedicated to increasing literacy and math competency for people worldwide and has spent the last five years studying adult learning. His passion for learning has led him to sponsor a school for children living with AIDS in South Africa. Contact Chris at chris.matts@gmail.com.
Sign Up Today! Click Here!
"The Zen of Agile Management"
By David Anderson, Founder of Modus Cooperandi
Presentation
Audio
Abstract: What is the essence of agile management? How do you create a culture of continuous improvement? With light touch, empowerment, delegation, high levels of trust, and focus on the correct leverage point to drive maximum advantage. Learn the Zen of agile management! A set of techniques developed by David over the last 8 years through his experience managing teams at Fortune 100 companies such as Motorola and Sprint using Feature Driven Development, Microsoft Solutions Framework (and Team Foundation Server) and his latest work at Corbis using Lean ideas such as kanban.
About David: Recently, David founded a consultancy practice focused on developing better leadership and management in the IT sector. Previously, he led Software Engineering at Corbis and he was the architect for the MSF methodology with Microsoft Corporation. In 1997, he joined the team which created the agile software development method known as Feature Driven Development in Singapore. David has held managerial positions at Motorola, Sprint PCS and earlier in his career with two startups in the UK - Rombo, a video imaging company - and MDi Systems, a document imaging company. Author of "Agile Management for Software Engineering," he speaks and writes on topics of agile leadership and development. David is a co-founder of the APLN, co-author of the Declaration of Interdependence for Agile Project Leadership, and sits on the Agile Project Leadership Network (APLN) Board of Directors.
Sign Up Today! Click Here!
| Leadership Summit Agenda Day One |
| 8:30-9:00 |
Networking Breakfast |
| 9:00-9:30 |
Welcome and Expectation Setting |
| 9:30-10:15 |
|
|
"Situationally Specific Business Value (or, Business Value, Wherefore Art Thou?)"
By Niel Nickolaisen |
|
| 10:15-10:30 |
Break |
| 10:15-11:00 |
|
|
"It Depends"
By Todd Little |
|
| 11:00-12:00 |
Think Tank Sessions with Speakers
Breakout sessions to discuss issues of leaders leading agile. |
| 12:00-12:30 |
Lunch Buffet |
| 12:30-2:00 |
Lunch Panel:
"What Keeps You Awake At Night?"
Executives talk about leading an Agile company
Audio |
| 2:00-2:45 |
|
|
"Unleashing Creativity and Innovation Through Collaboration"
By Pollyanna Pixton |
|
| 2:45-3:00 |
Break |
| 3:00-4:00 |
Think Tank Sessions with Speakers
Breakout sessions to discuss issues of leaders leading agile. |
| 4:00 - 4:45 |
| |
"The Dancing Agile Elephant: IBM Software Group's Transition to Agile and Lean Development""
By Sue McKinney |
|
| 4:45-5:15 |
Outcomes and Retrospective of Day One |
| 5:15-7:30 |
Networking Social |
| Leadership Summit Agenda Day Two |
| 8:30-9:00 |
Networking Breakfast |
| 9:00-9:45 |
|
|
"Real Options in a Nutshell - Managing Risk or Uncertainty"
By Chris Matts |
|
| 9:45-10:00 |
Break |
| 10:00-10:45 |
|
|
"The Zen of Agile Management"
By David Anderson |
|
| 10:45-11:45 |
Think Tank Sessions with Speakers
Breakout sessions to discuss issues of leaders leading agile. |
Sign Up Today! Click Here!
Who Should Attend
The summit targets both new and seasoned Agile leaders – and targets both organizational leaders, product leaders, and project leaders. This is your chance to spend a whole day with some of the leading experts in the area of Agile Leadership, to network with with other agile leaders and to share your experiences and concerns with those who are in the same situation as yourself.
Join Us! Click Here!
The APLN Dallas Leadership Summit format provides:
- Networking opportunities throughout the day
- Speakers addressing how to lead their organizations to become agile.
- "Think Tank" sessions on Agile Leadership with topics addressing advanced leadership tools, experiences, lessons learned, and issues yet to be resolved, decided by the group.
- A panel discussion over lunch where practicing agile leaders will discuss the largest issues facing agile leaders in their enterprise.
- Networking social at the end of the first day to review think tank solutions and suggestions.
Sign Up Today! Click Here!
Fees to Attend the Summit
| Earlybird (Before 1 Feb 2008) | | $ 600 |
| APLN Member Earlybird (Before 1 Feb 2008) | | $ 550 |
| Just in Time (After 1 Feb 2008) | | $ 650 |
| APLN Member (After 1 Feb 2008) | | $ 600 |
Accommodations
Hotel Rates: $105 per night for a double; $95 per night for a single room when you mention this summit and book prior to February 1.
Free shuttle to/from Love Field. Please book your rooms separately from summit registration.
Radisson Hotel Central Dallas
6060 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, Texas 75206
Phone: (214) 750-6060
For more information, contact
Julie Chickering, the APLN Dallas Leadership Summit Chair.
