The anatomy of a defect

The following defect is to some extent typical of those encountered by connector developers1 at Tasktop, inasmuch as there exists a typical defect. The ‘to some extent’ qualifier is there as most defects are either too straightforward to write a blog about, or conversely too complex and/or delve too deeply into our code internals to...

Dealing with Negative Workplace Behavior

For project managers, keeping a tight-knit team focused on the tasks at hand and pulling in the same direction is basically their job description. One thing that can completely destroy this team unity, however, is negative workplace behavior. This can range from making team members mildly uncomfortable to harassment and bullying, so for a start...

Understanding the “Why” Through Lean Tools

For years, organizations have been applying Lean principles and Lean tools to align employees around why. It helps them make smarter decisions about how to invest their time, energy, and money with clarity and purpose to become an innovative, influential, and profitable organization. When it comes to the question “why?”, it’s one we often forget...

How to Perfect Your Email Management

Emails, in their relatively short lifespan, have become the most important method of communication in many workplaces, even more so than the original method, i.e. talking to someone. Not only do they dominate communication, they also make up one of the single biggest working actions that many people do in their day. Results from a...

5 Benefits of Using Enterprise Kanban for Scaling Agile Teams

You’ve become an Agile leader, putting the systems in place to successfully scale Agile across your entire organization. The next step is to ensure teams don’t lose momentum, carrying their same energy, enthusiasm, and urgency from one project to the next. This is where enterprise Kanban software comes into play. It ensures teams work together...

Lean Methodology: What Is It and Why Do You Need It?

If you’ve worked in management for some time, you’ve heard discussions around Lean methodology. It’s a popular business philosophy known for reducing waste and improving efficiency. But aside from being a popular buzzword, what is Lean? And more importantly, can it benefit your organization? Short answer: Yes. Lean Methodology can be used to improve the...

From Student to Junior Software Engineer at Tasktop

The beginning of my experience as a Junior Software Engineer on one of Tasktop’s ‘Integrations Teams’ marked a definitive transition in the way I learned and practiced computer science and software development. With just a year at UBC’s Computer Science program and a couple of personal projects under my belt, I was initially uncertain of...

Making Portfolio Management a Competitive Advantage – Enrich Consulting

Many companies invest heavily in their project management processes and tools, improving their ability to keep initiatives on-time and on-budget. However, project management pays dividends only if the projects you’ve chosen to undertake have intrinsic value, are aligned with your corporate goals and have sufficient resources invested to take them across the finish line. Ensuring...

General Guidelines for Kanban Board Design

By now, you’ve probably already heard how Kanban can transform the way IT Operations teams manage tasks. From delegating roles to prioritizing assignments, Kanban makes it easier for IT Operations to meet deadlines and deliver customer satisfaction. But in order to enjoy the benefits Kanban has to offer, you need to follow a few guidelines regarding Kanban...