Free Webinar:  QA Role in Agile Teams
Go to www.synerzip.com to register

Join us for this free Webinar at 12noon CST, on Monday, December 7th, 2009.

Due to such an overwhelming response to our previous webinars on this topic, we
have decided to offer an encore live presentation. If you were unable to attend
the previous times, please join us on December 7th.

Most of the organizations which transition from waterfall to the Agile model
struggle to evolve the role of Quality Assurance (QA) professionals. This
webinar examines how the role of QA is fundamentally different in an Agile
project when compared to a traditional project.  We will discuss in this
webinar:

„X Fundamental shift in the role QA in Agile
„X Specific responsibilities of an agile QA tester along the Agile development
cycle
„X Common mistakes and how to avoid them

If you are curious about Agile Methods, this webinar will give you a taste of
¡§agile¡¨ from the QA perspective. If your team is considering a shift to Agile
Methods, this webinar will help you understand and prepare your QA organization
for the upcoming impact. If your team is already well versed in using Agile
Methods, this webinar will serve as a cross-check of best practices for your own
self-introspection.

Presenters:
„X Michael Hall, Synerzip Agile Coach and CEO of Three Beacons LLC, a leading
provider of Agile Methods training and consultancy services.
„X Hemant Elhence, CEO of Synerzip. Prior to Synerzip, Hemant was Product-line
Vice President at i2 Technologies and Manager at McKinsey & Co.

Title:    QA Role in Agile Teams
Date:  Monday, December 7th, 2009
Time:   12noon - 1:30pm CST
Go to www.synerzip.com to register
Sponsors:  Agile DFW and Synerzip

Tonight at Lean Software Austin, Bob Wilson, founder Industrial Andons
and formerly of Toyota, in a discussion on A3 management.

Time:
6pm to 8pm

Location:
Overwatch Systems
5301 Southwest Parkway Austin, TX 78735 (http://is.gd/4Wr0R)

Toyota pioneered the use of A3 Reports as a way of getting the problem,
analysis, corrective actions and action plan on a single sheet of large paper
(often using graphics more than words). A3's have evolved to become Toyota's
standard format for problem solving, proposals, plans and status reviews. As a
standard way of communicating, the A3 makes it easier for one to gain
understanding and support for new ideas and changes. The A3 helps foster
dialogue within an organization around a standard Plan-Do-Check-Act process that
clarifies the link between issues and actions.

The discussion will address a little of the history behind the A3, what it is
and is not. We will then look at the structure, components and how to use them.

Participants should bring a few example issues so that they can start filling
out their own A3.

Meeting Leader:
Bob Wilson, Industrial Andons, LLC
http://www.industrialandons.com

Bob Wilson started his lean learning working for Toyota at the plant in
Georgetown Kentucky. His interest in learning what made Toyota so successful led
him to becoming a Kaizen Circle Leader and then a Toyota Certified Instructor to
teach others about Toyota's methodologies.

Bob worked on the implementation of lean methodologies and earned his Six Sigma
Black Belt Certification while working with the Ford Motor Company. During his
time as head of the Tool and Die Department, quality and downtime issues were
reduced by over 70%.

Bob was the Lean Enterprise Manager over five plants with 1500 employees with
E-One, a subsidiary of Federal Signal, which manufactures fire trucks and other
emergency response vehicles. Through the implementation of Lean Principles,
E-One was able to consolidate down to four plants. Bob worked on projects within
the business and engineering processes which reduce up front lead times by over
100 days. During his time as Manager of the Aerial Plant, which manufactured all
Aerial Fire Trucks and Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) trucks, he reduced
plant discretionary spending by 40%, increased delivery to 100% on time
deliveries from 85% and improved quality from an average of 40 DPU to less than
5 with the first ever zero item ARFF delivery.

Bob invented, developed and patented a wireless andon system used by many
companies as they implement lean methodologies. He has grown the business to
service companies in many industries from automotive, high tech, medical
devices, aerospace and home products. He also continues to teach lean
methodologies and helps companies get the most value out of their lean
transformations. He continues to work with Toyota's plants in Indiana and Canada
to improve their andon system and response process.

Bob has an undergraduate in Business Administration from Kentucky State
University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with his MBA from the University of
Florida.

Visit the Lean Software Austin website for more information about the group and
schedule: http://leansoftwareaustin.org/

On Monday, November 16th, Lean Software Austin will be hosting Bob Wilson,
founder Industrial Andons and formerly of Toyota, in a discussion on A3
management.  The meeting will take place at Overwatch Systems from 6pm to 8pm.

Visit the Lean Software Austin website for more information about the group and
schedule: http://leansoftwareaustin.org/

Toyota pioneered the use of A3 Reports as a way of getting the problem,
analysis, corrective actions and action plan on a single sheet of large paper
(often using graphics more than words). A3's have evolved to become Toyota's
standard format for problem solving, proposals, plans and status reviews. As a
standard way of communicating, the A3 makes it easier for one to gain
understanding and support for new ideas and changes. The A3 helps foster
dialogue within an organization around a standard Plan-Do-Check-Act process that
clarifies the link between issues and actions.

The discussion will address a little of the history behind the A3, what it is
and is not. We will then look at the structure, components and how to use them.

Participants should bring a few example issues so that they can start filling
out their own A3.

Location: Overwatch Systems
5301 Southwest Parkway Austin, TX 78735 (map: http://is.gd/4UiAX)

Meeting Leader:
Bob Wilson, Industrial Andons, LLC
http://www.industrialandons.com

Bob Wilson started his lean learning working for Toyota at the plant in
Georgetown Kentucky. His interest in learning what made Toyota so successful led
him to becoming a Kaizen Circle Leader and then a Toyota Certified Instructor to
teach others about Toyota's methodologies.

Bob worked on the implementation of lean methodologies and earned his Six Sigma
Black Belt Certification while working with the Ford Motor Company. During his
time as head of the Tool and Die Department, quality and downtime issues were
reduced by over 70%.

Bob was the Lean Enterprise Manager over five plants with 1500 employees with
E-One, a subsidiary of Federal Signal, which manufactures fire trucks and other
emergency response vehicles. Through the implementation of Lean Principles,
E-One was able to consolidate down to four plants. Bob worked on projects within
the business and engineering processes which reduce up front lead times by over
100 days. During his time as Manager of the Aerial Plant, which manufactured all
Aerial Fire Trucks and Airport Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) trucks, he reduced
plant discretionary spending by 40%, increased delivery to 100% on time
deliveries from 85% and improved quality from an average of 40 DPU to less than
5 with the first ever zero item ARFF delivery.

Bob invented, developed and patented a wireless andon system used by many
companies as they implement lean methodologies. He has grown the business to
service companies in many industries from automotive, high tech, medical
devices, aerospace and home products. He also continues to teach lean
methodologies and helps companies get the most value out of their lean
transformations. He continues to work with Toyota's plants in Indiana and Canada
to improve their andon system and response process.

Bob has an undergraduate in Business Administration from Kentucky State
University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with his MBA from the University of
Florida.