PLAYING THE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT GAME

After more than 10 years of software product and project management I've decided to share what I've learned and gather insights from others. The idea of software project management being a game comes from Alistair Cockburn and his book Agile Software Development, The Cooperative Game... Learning and mastery are higher level human needs . Mastery involves both learning and doing. Mastery is the "Ri" level in Shu-Ha-Ri . Mastery requires a lot of trial and error. I recently bought a skateboard. I haven't owned a skateboard since I was about 15. It was a little scary getting on it at first. But it came back, like riding a bike. I ride regular, with my left foot forward, pushing with my right foot. I had tried goofy--right foot forward--for variety, but couldn't get the hang of it. But on my first day with my new toy I went too far and hurt my right achilles. So I couldn't ride anymore unless I rode goofy. That required that I start over. I had to learn to balance with my right foot..