Hardware Podcasts

402: We Are a Lazy Species

Embedded.fm · 18 Feb 2022 · 1h 27m · Episode 402

What this episode covers

Chris Svec of iRobot and Phillip Johnston of Embedded Artistry join hosts Elecia and Christopher White to debate the value and methods of estimating software schedules. They discuss why estimation is difficult, the necessity of feedback loops for improvement, and how to handle fixed-bid projects with clients. The conversation covers the role of trust in engineering teams, the use of Gantt charts for dependency management, and the analogy of estimating travel time to justify software estimates.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies and large enterprises

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
iRobot, Embedded Artistry
Tools
FogBugz, Microsoft Project, Gantt charts
Also
Agile Otter

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 43m

    Project Management Dysfunctions - Part 1

    Jeff Gable and Luca discuss common project management dysfunctions in embedded systems, focusing on the anti-pattern of sticking to inefficient processes because teams feel they are 'close to done.' They advocate for small, continuous improvements like unit testing and hardware abstraction layers to reduce friction between hardware and software teams. The hosts also address the danger of promising fixed dates without credible estimation, explaining the project management triangle and the importance of managing uncertainty by tackling high-risk items first.

    Leadership, teams & cultureValidation & product-market fit
    10 chapters

  • The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 36m

    How to Get Started

    Jeff Gable and Luca Ingianni discuss how engineering teams can transition from traditional methods to agile development in embedded systems. They outline a three-layered approach starting with tactical technical practices like version control and continuous integration to establish reliable feedback loops. The conversation emphasizes using these quick wins to build trust and demonstrate value before expanding into project management practices like sprints and user stories, ultimately aiming to improve team culture and product quality.

    Embedded firmwareCareers & education
    5 chapters

  • The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 43m

    2024 christmas special

    Hosts Jeff Gable and Luca Eden reflect on three years of The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast, highlighting guests like Miro Slavic, John Odo, and Luca Mustafa who pushed specific technical and process boundaries. They discuss the disconnect between senior engineers seeking agile change and managers resistant to the hard work required for true transformation. The conversation emphasizes that successful embedded development requires breaking the 'Iron Triangle' of fixed scope, time, and budget by prioritizing core functionality and asking difficult questions about deadlines.

    Leadership, teams & cultureCareers & education
    6 chapters

  • The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 41m

    Agile Manifesto Part 2

    Jeff Gable and Luca Engineer discuss the Agile Manifesto's principles of customer collaboration and responding to change, arguing that frequent working demos build trust more effectively than rigid contracts. They highlight the 'iron triangle' of project management, noting that fixing time and resources while allowing scope to flex is essential for success in both software and hardware development. The hosts emphasize that organizations must cultivate a culture that values learning from failures, citing examples from medical devices, aerospace, and chaos engineering to illustrate how shortening iteration cycles improves product quality.

    Leadership, teams & cultureValidation & product-market fit
    8 chapters

  • The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 27m

    Agile is Old-Fashioned Engineering

    Jeff Gable and Luca argue that Agile is not a new software fad but rather 'old-fashioned engineering' principles like rapid prototyping and feedback loops that have always existed in fields like aeronautics. They cite Lockheed Skunk Works and the Apollo program as historical examples of iterative development, contrasting them with the 'waterfall' illusion often forced onto embedded systems. The hosts discuss how embedded teams can apply these principles by decoupling software and hardware iteration cycles through hardware abstraction layers and simulators to reduce friction.

    Embedded firmwarePrototyping & iteration
    7 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Embedded.fm. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.