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By Sharon Herstein
With Agile adoption increasingly popular, many companies feel compelled to forego Waterfall for Agile. But, depending on the organization's goals, complete abandonment of existing processes may not be necessary and a blend or partial transition can bring positive Agile change without drastic disruption. Incremental product development is only part of the Agile story, but it may be all you need.
Fully effective Agile adoption usually involves a culture shift and maybe even a re-shuffling of the organization. These aspects give many companies pause; they make adoption costly and those that attempt it unguided can end up frustrated and unfulfilled. But by setting wholesale Agile adoption aside and putting the focus on shifting product development to an incremental approach, these types of disruptions may be avoided and significant upside provided even without entirely transitioning. While not all of the benefits of Agile would be realized, some benefit is certainly preferable to none.
Applying incrementalism to common business goals can set an organization along its Agile path. It may be sufficient on its own or may eventually, even organically, lead to a fuller Agile adoption. Common drivers of Agile adoption are a desire to gain flexibility, move faster, mitigate risk, improve transparency or increase value and incrementalism can realize any of these goals.
Planning smaller deliverables lessens the impact of changes in scope or priority thereby providing flexibility.
Reducing the scale of each deliverable helps it move faster through the process including delivering more frequently thereby regularly increasing value to customers.
Incrementalism is a natural risk-mitigator because it reduces scope breadth and timeline duration. Deliverables are being produced on a smaller scale with a higher frequency which permits risk to be evaluated more often. This is similarly how incrementalism improves transparency.
There are many frameworks and methods associated with Agile and each one may have its own impact on the role of Project Management. Forgoing the selection of a specific type of Agile and instead embarking on an effort to transform the deliverable itself from one large to several smaller deliverables brings incrementalism into the existing product development process and preserves Project Management. Once aspects of the product are separated it follows that the planning, execution and delivery activities will each be reduced in duration but increase in frequency, providing more opportunities to adapt and change based on succeeding sooner or even failing faster albeit on a smaller scale than the original process provided. The Project Management Process Groups and Knowledge Areas still exist but will have a narrower focus on the newly derived smaller deliverable. Scope still needs definition and planning still occurs but with a newly deliberate focus.
How is incrementalism practiced? Most basically by separating the single, large existing deliverable into multiple, smaller deliverables…
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About the Author
Sharon Herstein is a Web Developer turned Project Manager and has been practicing technical project management across industries for over 10 years. She specializes in creating efficiencies and scalability for start-ups and mature organizations alike; relying upon deep theoretical understanding of both Waterfall and Agile to create practical solutions.
Sharon may be contacted at [email protected]


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Bloodrayne the movie opened last weekend. I didn't get around to seeing it, but after hearing about the horrible reviews, I was looking forward to seeing the trainwreck this weekend. But I guess I wasn't fast enough. The movie stinks so bad that the theaters in town aren't showing it any more! Bastards!
I could go see Grandma's Boy, but I've already seen it. I wouldn't go see it again. If you haven't seen it yet, it might be worth a matine, but I certainly wouldn't bother paying full price for it.

subset: commoncrawl


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Dr Liau Vui Kien is currently Associate Dean (International) of PSB Academy, Head of School of Engineering and Technology, and the Chairman of PSB Academy's Examination and Award Board. He provides leadership, strategic and operational management in relation to international activity in the context of PSB Academy's Strategic Plan, and have experience in developing international academic partnerships.
Dr Liau graduated with a first class B.Eng (Hons) , and PhD degree from University of Liverpool. He has academic and industrial work experience in different countries, including UK, China, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. He is a chartered engineer, and is/was registered lecturer of a number UK/Australia Universities, e.g. University of Liverpool, Coventry University, University of Nottingham, Newcastle University (Australia), Portsmouth University etc. He has extensive experience in the development of new engineering programmes and related quality assurance processes within the academic environment.
In addition, Dr Liau is/was also active in professional bodies, currently the faculty advisor for IET-PSB On Campus, IEEE-HKN Region 10 Taskforce Committee, and past president of Malaysian Invention and Design Society (Young section).


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The family of the deceased Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the Plateau State Governorship election held on April 11 polls,the late Senator Gyang Pwajok, has announced his burial arrangements.
The Street Journal recalls that Pwajok, who was defeated by the APC's Simon Lalong, who, again defeated him at the governorship election petition tribunal on October 27, died two days after losing the case at the tribunal.
A statement issued in Jos on Sunday by Mr Samuel Pwajok, the deceased's elder brother, said arrangements had been concluded by the family for the burial which has been fixed for November 13.
According to the statement, speculations that the deceased donated an organ of his body to an unnamed recipient in the state, is false.
The statement reads in part:
"We want to clear this rumour and declare that it is utterly false and unfounded. There was never a time such donation was requested for, much less acceded to.
"The family wants to re-emphasise that our son died of heapatocellula carninogen and at no time donated any organ to anyone. As Christians, we believe in the will of God and continue to submit to His will.
"At painful moments like this, the family needs the prayers and support of everyone to overcome the effect of the loss."
The statement added that the pains of the family will be worsened if such rumours continue because they hurt a lot.
Until his death, Pwajok was the immediate past Senator for Plateau North District on the PDP platform, and was replaced by the immediate past governor of the state, Jonah Jang.


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TV Shows - Hey Vern, It's Ernest!
Starring comedian Jim Varney as Ernest P. Worrell, "Hey Vern, It's Ernest!" aired on CBS from 1988 to 1989.
Wikipedia Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hey_Vern,_It%27s_Ernest!
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|Ernest P Whorl was cool. And I'm not just saying that because I live in his home town, Lexington Ky. I remember when the character was nothing more that a guy in a bunch of commercials back in the 70s. I think his peak was something called "Ernest's Family Album." It was probably the only thing besides the early commercials that was actually funny. -- Submitted By: (Joebob) on January 11, 2011, 7:22 pm - (0 votes) - Login to Vote
|I suppose it paid the bills. He was probably cursing about it- all the way to the bank. ;) -- Submitted By: (Friedrich_Feuerstein) on October 21, 2010, 10:49 am - (0 votes) - Login to Vote
|Stretching a commercial character into a full fledged show just did not WORK! Sad thing is that the late Jim Varney had FAR greater acting talent and skills than this character would have ever hinted at yet THIS is what is to be remembered for. -- Submitted By: (Pelirojo) on January 4, 2010, 7:14 am - (0 votes) - Login to Vote


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Available ebook formats: epub mobi pdf lrf pdb html
Brant Waldeck lived in a small town in rural Ohio until he was fourteen years old. From there he moved to a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. After high school, he attended Miami University (OH) and graduated with a degree in marketing. After five years working at advertising agencies, Brant set out on his own to be a freelance designer. His business evolved into a successful marketing agency. His life revolved around creativity, but it wasn't until he had kids of his own that Brant began to explore the idea of writing. Brant credits his children as the key to his creative inspiration. The minds of children see possibilities that adults tend to shut out. The trick to being creative... never stop thinking like a kid.
Brant currently resides in a suburb of Charlotte, NC with his wife, Jenny, and three kids, Gillen, Brannen and Braelyn.


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In the Fall semester of 2011 I was the social media intern for Bayside Bride, an amazing wedding blog that is now one of the top 50 wedding blogs in the world. Let that sink in for a second. Think of all of the Pinterest boards and blog devoted to 'the happiest day of your life.' These ladies of the Chesapeake are doing amazing things and I am so lucky to be a part of the Bayside Bride family.
Natalie Frank Hayes, the cofounder of Bayside Bride invited those of us who had interned with her throughout the years to her house for networking, nibbles, and great conversation. It was amazing to connect with the girls that I had interned with, sent emails to, followed on social media, but had never met IRL in real life! The little get together came at the end of a two day marathon of meetings in DC and while I was tired of driving, traveling, and sharing my story, it was one of the best decisions I could have made to slap a smile on and go!
Being greeted by Natalie with a arms open wide and a big smile was such a relief as I was a tad nervous connecting with girls I had only read about. I made a Smart Girls connection right away with a past intern that attends Fordham University with our founder, Emily Raleigh.
I met the ever lovely Kate Ann Morris of Kate Ann Photography and hopefully will be collaborating with her for this little blog #fingerscrossed.
We missed Bayside co-founder Krista A. Jones, but you have to check out her work. She is incredible! Also, be sure to check out their amazing workshop that Krista and Natalie will be hosting this summer with Caitlin Moran of Glitter Guide, Janelle Diamond of Baltimore Bride, and Staci Lanham of Baltimore magazine.
Be sure to follow/like/love Bayside Bride on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, & Instagram !


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1. In small bowl, combine cheese and butter. Add walnuts and chives; mix well. Divide into 6 equal portions; set aside.
2. Cut 2-1/2 inch horizontal pocket through center of large muscle in each veal chop; insert 1 stuffing portion into each pocket. Close pockets with small skewers or tooth picks.
3. Place chops on rack in broiler pan so surface of meat is 4 inches from heat. Broil 14 to 16 minutes for medium doneness, turning once.
To Grill: Place chops on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill uncovered, 12 to 14 minutes for medium doneness, turning once.
Nutrition information per serving: 488 calories; 24 g fat (11 g saturated fat; 6 g monounsaturated fat); 272 mg cholesterol; 425 mg sodium; 1 g carbohydrate; 0.9 g fiber; 63 g protein; 13.5 mg niacin; 0.6 mg vitamin B6; 2.6 mcg vitamin B12; 2.6 mg iron; 25.0 mcg selenium; 10.3 mg zinc. This recipe is an excellent source of protein, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, selenium and zinc; and a good source of iron.


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Best Practices¶
Here is a list of best practices for using Python at NERSC.
Always Load a Python Module¶
Always use a version of Python provided by NERSC through "module load python" with an optional version suffix (2.7-anaconda, 3.5-anaconda, etc). Never use the version of Python found at /usr/bin/python, it is an older version of Python that NERSC does not support for its users.
Select the Right File System for Installing Your Own Packages¶
- If you mostly run serial Python jobs or use multiprocessing on a single node, you might be able to just install Python packages in your $HOME directory or on the /project file system without seeing any substantial performance issues.
- The best-performing shared file system for launching parallel Python applications is /global/common. This file system is mounted read-only on Cori and Edison compute nodes with client-side caching enabled. This is the file system that NERSC uses to install software modules (such as Python). Contact NERSC if to see if your required packages can be made available on /global/common either as a NERSC-build module or through Anaconda.
- If you tend to run Python applications at larger concurrencies it may be advisable to stage or install your Python packages onto another file system, in particular the $SCRATCH file system. Users are advised to remember the purge policy in place on $SCRATCH. Running a recursive touch on the $SCRATCH file system to preserve a Python will be overlooked for now but should also not be abused.
- There are several interventions that can further improve Python package import times. Users are advised to consider them and choose one that delivers the performance they desire at the level of invasiveness they are willing to accept.