Chicago Software Process
Improvement Network
(C-SPIN)
Meeting
Wednesday (not our usual Thursday), November 5, 2003 6:00 to 8:30 pm
William Rainey Harper College
Building J – Theatre (J143)
Algonquin and Roselle Roads,
Palatine, Illinois
Park in Lot 4 or 5. If you enter from Algonquin Road, turn right at first stop sign and follow the road around the curve. Parking lots 4 and 5 will be on your left. If you enter from Euclid Road, turn left after turning into Harper; follow the road around two curves. Parking lots 4 and 5 will be on your right.
|
PMO Panel |
The
term PMO is becoming more prevalent in the management arena. But what is it really? Is it Program Management Office, Project
Management Office, or both? Is it worth
the hype? What impact does it have on
the software process community? These
questions and more will be addressed by our three panelists who will bring us
their unique experience and expertise in this organizational phenomenon.
Each
panelist will give a short presentation followed by a moderated Q&A session. If you have questions for our panelists
please e-mail them to ggatsis@fsc.follett.com
in advance for inclusion in the program.
The panel will be moderated
by:
Tony Kvitek, Sogeti-USA |
Tony
is an Information Technology Performance Improvement consulting practice leader
with Sogeti USA. He has over 16 years
of software development and IT leadership experience. Tony has been acting in leadership roles and applying CMM
practices for over ten years at companies like McDonald's Corporations, ABN
AMRO, and Motorola. Tony's CMM
implementation experience encompasses a wide range of scopes from individual IT
groups with unique responsibilities to corporate wide initiatives. While at ABN AMRO and Washington Mutual he
applied CMM practices within Program Office environments.
Our three distinguished panelist
are:
Shaun Ajani, Spherion
Shaun Ajani is an expert in management training. He
is the author of many books and articles, including, "If You Row, You Will
Not Drift - Perfect Life Management - The Life Wizard", and “Extreme
Project Management”. He has recently appeared on ABC News & CBS News to
discuss his unique management theories. Shaun has consulted for aviation, IT,
retail, HR, finance, education, and training industries, in companies like
Motorola, Dollar Stores, Nation Gifts, Code Factory, Washington Mutual, Boise
Cascade, Sears, and Spherion. In 2002, his work was selected at NASA for
program and project leadership. Shaun Ajani speaks on "The Art of Solving
Impossible Problems" and "Extreme Project Management".
Thomas Janik, CSTE,
Strong Financial Corporation
Tom
is a Senior Tester and Project Manager in the Project Management Office at
Strong Financial Corporation. Tom has
been a quality professional focusing on Automated Testing and Test Team
Management for the past 10 years. Prior
to his move to Strong in February, Tom spent 9 years working for Rockwell
Automation's software division (RSI) where he created the first manual and
automated test teams there and managed the Validation and Verification Services
business unit. Hailing Marquette
University as his alma mater, Tom is currently one of two Certified Software
Test Engineers (QAI) at Strong will be taking the ASQs Certified Software
Quality Engineer exam in December.
Wally Splitt, Abbott
Wally joined Abbott Laboratories in 2002 where he is the
Manager of the IT Project Management Office within Abbott's Diagnostics
Division. This position is responsible for implementing a project management
methodology as well as project manager competency development. Wally began his
IT career in 1983 as a "C" language software developer for Illinois
Bell working on complex data network systems. He then moved into UNIX system
administration with responsibility for the company's regional change management
tracking system. Wally subsequently moved into project management where he was
responsible for regional Bellcore and Ameritech service order system projects.
In 1993, Wally accepted a management position responsible for software
development and maintenance activities on three UNIX-based Ameritech legacy
operations support systems. From 1994 through 1999, Wally was a Solutions
Director with Ameritech New Media, Ameritech's non-regulated venture into
broadband communications. During this period Wally had various
responsibilities, which ranged from the initial implementation, integration,
and testing of New Media's call center operations support systems to developing
and implementing a project management office responsible for project
prioritization, planning, resource allocation and methodology. In 1999, Wally
joined Process Management Group (PMG) as a Practice Manager. At PMG, Wally
focused on software quality and testing initiatives.
Agenda
·
6:00
– 7:00 p.m. Networking, Refreshments (complimentary sandwich buffet), and
Registration (no cost)
·
7:00
– 7:10 p.m. Overview of C-SPIN
·
7:10
– 8:00 p.m. Panelists' Opening Remarks
·
8:00
– 8:30 p.m. Question and Answer Session
C-SPIN
is made possible through the efforts of its Steering Committee. The Steering
Committee is composed of: Fred Ballard, Susan Bidwill, Kathy Brown, Steve
Coffman, Alan Cohen, Susan Davidowski, Larry Dribin, Bob Ferguson, Ross Fraser,
Bob Freer, George Gatsis, Tony Kvitek, Donna Miller, Bob Pauwels, Nimmi
Shamdasani, Scott Stribrny, and Lance Welter.
C-SPIN
is a leadership forum for the free and open exchange of software process
improvement experiences and practical ideas. We promote achieving higher levels
of process maturity, software quality and mutual respect. Companies, academic
institutions, government organizations and individuals are invited. There is no
need to pre-register for the meeting, but please check in at the registration
table when you arrive. For more information regarding this meeting, C-SPIN, or
the steering committee, contact George Gatsis at
ggatsis@fsc.follett.com or
(815) 578-7638.
To
receive future announcements electronically, send your e-mail address (include
name, address, company, phone) to Steve Coffman,
CSPIN.membership@pscoffman.com.