Joe Townsend

Member for

13 years 10 months

Joe Townsend has been working in the configuration management field for20 years. He has worked for CNA Life Insurance, RCA, Boeing, UPS, INPRS and Anthem. Joe has primarily worked with Serena tools, including PVCS Version Manager, Tracker, SBM, Dimensions, Clearcase, JIRA, Bitbucket, Bamboo and Subversion is also an administrator for WebFocus, Service Now, and supports Eclipse users. He is responsible for building all of the applications at his current location, which includes a desktop and web-based client.

Company

Anthem

Job Function

Configuration Management

Industry

Financial Services - Banking - Insurance

Interests

Agile

Cloud

Configuration Management

Development Lifecycles

DevOps

IT Operations

Leadership

Process Improvement

Project Management

Quality Assurance

Releases

Requirements

Testing

Country

United States

Joe Townsend

Joe Townsend has been in the configuration management field for twelve years. He has worked for CNA Life Insurance, RCA, Boeing, UPS, and in state government. Joe has primarily worked with Serena tools, including PVCS Version Manager, Tracker, TeamTrack (Mashups), and Dimensions. He is an administrator for WebFocus and supports Eclipse users.

All Articles by Joe Townsend

All Stories by Joe Townsend

	College Degree or Experience: Which Is Better?Sparked by a LinkedIn conversation, Joe Townsend contemplates the question: Does a degree or experience hold more weight in the software development and IT hiring process? With a look toward tech giant Google, Townsend tries to uncover if a degree means more than industry experience.
	The Agile Manifesto: A Look Back and a Look Forward Thirteen years after the creation of the Agile Manifesto, Joe Townsend discusses its role in today's world and delves into the merits of a possible rewrite by its original creators. Townsend also covers some viable alternatives and what other manifestos may appear in the wake of the Agile Manifesto.
	A Look at Microsoft’s New CEOJoe Townsend examines what the tech media and experts are saying about Microsoft's new CEO Satya Nadella. Joe waited two months to write this story to give Satya Nadella some time at the helm to see in what direction he is taking the company.
	Big Data, Big Brother, and Big QuestionsWe should all be aware of our credit score—the important number used to determine interest rates and insurance costs. What you may not be aware of is how big data is being used to score you on many areas of your daily life. Joe Townsend explores the connection between big data and big brother.
	Can Technology Solve California’s Water Problems?Recent news has shown that California is experiencing a water crisis. In this story, Joe Townsend explores whether or not modern technology, including the building of a desalinization plant, will be able to solve California's water problems.
	Should You Be Worried about Shadow IT? If there is one thing IT professionals—especially those involved with security—like, it is control. However, we all know that shadow IT exists, which means IT professionals don’t have complete control like they used to. Joe Townsend explores whether or not shadow IT is something to be feared.
	In Search of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370Joe Townsend attempts to figure out why it is that with all of the technology we have today, we still can’t find Malaysian Airlines Flight 370. The technology exists; however, we now know that technological advances have not been implemented that could help locate planes that crash.
	What in the World Is Wagile Software Development?Joe Townsend explores the meaning of the term wagile. Apparently, this word is a result of what occurs when a team slips from agile development into waterfall development. In this story, Joe lists several organizations that have gone wagile and what we can learn from them.
	Why Companies Need to Be Cautious When Using Social MediaWith social media comes great responsibility and danger lurking with every post or tweet. In this story, Joe Townsend takes a look at that aspect of social media—when good tweets or posts go bad. In this ever-connected world, companies and individuals run the risk of things running amok.
	What's Going On with Data Security?It seems like every day we are hearing about more security breaches. Whether it is Target's losing credit card information of more than 110 million Americans or Yahoo’s data breach, in which the company lost user passwords and usernames, one has to wonder what is going on with data security.
	Information Technology Workers and StereotypesIs the stereotype true that information technology (IT) professionals are nerds, geeks, and pocket-protector-wearing buffoons as sometimes portrayed in the media? Joe Townsend examines why these kinds of stereotypes exist and what is being done to address them.
	Information Technology Predictions for 2014The information technology (IT) field has a plethora of people discussing predictions for the coming year. In this story, Joe Townsend explores many of those predictions. Hopefully next year, we can look back and see if they were fulfilled or completely missed.
	Are Information Technology Careers Only for the Young?The topic of age discrimination is uncomfortable and, at times, even hard to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt. However, recent cases of age discrimination in the US and abroad have proven that there is at least a perception that age matters in employment—and especially in the IT field.
	US Facing Quality and Quantity Problems with IT ProfessionalsJoe Townsend writes on problems involving the quality and quantity of IT professionals in the United States, as detailed in a survey by the Technology Councils of America. Perhaps the key to these issues resides in our education system, as Joe explains.
	What's Up with Black Friday and Big DataAs a veteran of quite a few Black Friday forays into the abyss, Joe Townsend had to wonder what role big data is playing in this annual ritual. Here, he examines the role big data is playing in Black Friday—and, now, Black Thursday (Thanksgiving Day)—sales.
	In Search of Microsoft’s New CEOWhether you love Microsoft or absolutely hate the company, you have to admit that whoever replaces Steve Ballmer and becomes the next CEO will be the most watched person in the information technology (IT) world for the next several years. Joe Townsend explores the candidates for this huge role.
	What Is Being Done by IT to Fix HealthCare.gov?By now, everyone in the world knows that the rollout of HealthCare.gov was a disaster, and we also know that information technology (IT) has taken a beating. In this story, Joe Townsend explains what is being done to fix this mess.
	Big Brother Is Watching over Us!We all should know that any Internet activity we perform is being tracked by our Internet service provider, but it's just exactly where that information is going that raises red flags and presents an ethical dilemma. In this story, Joe Townsend examines how Big Brother is watching over us.
	The Affordable Care Act Rollout Highlights IT ProblemsTo say information technology (IT) is taking a beating as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) rollout is an understatement. Not only has it been a disaster for those seeking insurance under it, but it also has highlighted the fact that IT, while cool, is far from perfect.
	The US Government's Configuration Management Problems Joe Townsend probes the news and finds several stories detailing the US government's problems with configuration management. According to Joe, the defense industry and government agencies should be able to improve if they follow their own standards and directives.
	What Is the Difference between an Agile Coach and a ScrumMaster?Joe Townsend explores what exactly the role of an agile coach is and how it differs from the role of a ScrumMaster. For some, ScrumMasters are the front-line fighters and agile coaches are higher up in the organization; for others, an agile coach is the next role a ScrumMaster evolves into.
	What Has Happened to Serena Software?Joe Townsend writes on the recent news of private equity firm Silver Lake's attempt to sell off Serena Software. According to Joe, the future does not bode well for this one-time industry leader.
	DevOps in the News Much like configuration management, you won’t hear Brian Williams talking about DevOps on the evening news or see Matt Lauer interviewing a DevOps expert on the couch of The Today Show. However, recently in IT-related news on the wire, DevOps is a huge story.
	Configuration Management in the NewsIt’s normal to not hear about configuration management (CM) during the evening news or read about our profession in your local newspaper. However, that doesn’t mean things are not progressing in our field, as this news roundup will detail.
	A Look at the Past and Present Worlds of SCM Tools Joe Townsend takes a look at software configuration management (SCM) tools, examines the companies that were once considered market leaders in this space, and notes the rise in popularity of Subversion and Git, which control almost 75 percent of the market share for Eclipse users.
	Why Is Configuration Management Important?Joe Townsend explains configuration management's importance to an organization. As CM managers, we can sometimes get so deep into the details of what we do that we struggle to answer the simple questions for our user base.
	What Is the Purpose of Configuration Management?Joe Townsend attempts to find out: What is the purpose of configuration management (CM). This seemingly simple question is the one we CM professionals are often asked, and at times we stumble to offer the answer that really drives home the true purpose of what we do as configuration managers.
	Why You Shouldn't Worry about Cloud OutagesJoe Townsend writes on the cloud outages affecting big companies and says that maybe we should all take this news with a grain of salt. As with any technology there are going to be issues and things beyond our control, but it's the big companies that are going to be affected the most.
	Will Information Technology Departments Exist in the Future? Joe Townsend explores whether or not information technology (IT) departments will exist in the future as he explores the concept of the consumerization of IT. Will business become the driver of technology rather than the IT group that currently exists in many organizations today?
	What Role Does Configuration Management Play in Requirements Analysis? Once the inception phase of your project has been completed, a project will enter the requirements analysis phase. Joe Townsend explains the role that configuration management (CM) and quality assurance/control (QA/QC) plays during this phase of a project’s lifecycle.
	Look at Application Lifecycle Management during Project InceptionDuring a project’s inception phase various tasks usually take place. Joe Townsend takes a look at application lifecycle management (ALM) during the early stages of a project and what roles configuration management (CM), quality assurance (QA), and quality control (QC) play.
	What Is the Definition of Application Lifecycle Management (ALM)? Joe Townsend attempts to find a proper definition of application lifecycle management (ALM) in order to bring some clarity to the field. He lists some of ALM's component parts, including requirements management, project management, and change management.
	What Is Happening to Apple?Joe Townsend explores what is happening to Apple and why IT professionals should care. We can all learn a lesson from Apple’s success—and its failures. If we are complacent in our jobs as testers and configuration managers, our “personal stock” will drop dramatically.
	The Latest News and Reviews of BlackBerry 10Joe Townsend rounds up the latest news and reviews of BlackBerry 10 and how RIM plans to attract new users. In today’s IT industry in which we are married to our phones and laptops, it's important to keep up with the latest on mobile devices.
	Can Agile and Lean Six Sigma Coexist?Joe Townsend explores whether or not agile and Lean Six Sigma can coexist. Since agile is a development methodology and Lean Six Sigma is mainly associated with manufacturing, it would appear that the two are completely incompatible with one another. However, that's not always the case.
	Selecting a Software Configuration Management ToolDeciding on a vendor for your CM tool can be fun or gut wrenching. The decision you make will affect how you control files, interact with other tools, and will touch every aspect of you daily work. Joe Townsend lists six questions you should ask before selecting a tool.
	Why Does IT Management Ignore Testing?Joe Townsend explores why IT upper management does not treat software testing as an equal to software development. Changing the culture and the misconceptions about software testing will be vital to the future of the field.
	A Roundup of Configuration Management Database ToolsIf you’re a follower of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), the configuration management database (CMDB) is a central point of your efforts. Joe Townsend gives us a handy roundup of the tools on the market that are available to help you control your IT environment.
	Why Do We Continue to Fail at Requirements Management?Joe Townsend examines why software professionals continue to fail at requirements management (RM). Some of the ways to address RM issues include using the right RM tools, proper requirements prioritization, and requirements churn.
	Agile Development Tool RoundupOne of the basic tenets of agile is to favor “individuals and interactions over processes and tools,” as stated in the Agile Manifesto. This, however, has not stopped the onslaught of vendors claiming that their tools are perfect for the different aspects of agile development.
	Can Capability Maturity Model Integration Coexist with Agile? Joe Townsend explores whether or not Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) can coexist with agile. Remember that the Agile Manifesto specifically addresses processes, and the CMMi is, without a doubt, centered on process and documentation.
	Choosing the Right Configuration Management Database VendorIf you are considering a configuration management database (CMDB) for your organization, then this is the story for you. Joe Townsend explores the many vendor offerings and provides insight that will help you in your decision-making process.
	Why Is the Configuration Management Database Both Praised and Reviled?For the novice the configuration management database (CMDB) can be a daunting task when considered in its entirety. To the seasoned pro and others, however, it might be viewed as a complete waste of resources. Joe Townsend looks at why the CMDB is praised—and yet reviled at the same time.
	How to Write Good Software RequirementsEven in 2013 software professionals are still having difficulties getting good software requirements. Joe Townsend lists several handy resources on how to finally start writing quality software requirements.
	Why Do IT Professionals Succumb to Project Overload?Joe Townsend explores why IT professionals continue to succumb to project overload. The problem is not that we take on too much; the problem lies in the fact that we don’t manage our projects very well, and these repeated failures lead to overload as we can’t deliver what we promise.
	Five Reasons Why Agile Can FailUnfortunately, some projects fail, even when using an agile development methodology. Instead of just rehashing horror stories, Joe Townsend attempts to get to the bottom of why these failures occur.
	How to Scale Agile for Larger Teams and OrganizationsAgile seems suited for smaller teams because of less bureaucracy and management overhead. So how do you implement, run, and achieve success with agile in larger efforts? The success or failure of scaling agile to large teams is based on your organization’s maturity as it applies to agile.
	The Necessity of a Fifteen-Minute Standup MeetingOne of Scrum‘s basic techniques is the fifteen-minute standup meeting. Joe Townsend dives into the why this meeting is necessary, how it can help your agile team, and how you can get more from your fifteen minutes.
	ScrumMasters vs. Project ManagersJoe Townsend explores whether or not a ScrumMaster can be considered a product manager and vice versa. The way the roles are defined (or evolving) should help you avoid potential conflict in your agile organization.
	What You Can Expect from a Configuration Management CareerWhether you are a seasoned veteran or just breaking into the field, a career in configuration management (CM) can be both rewarding and challenging. This story will guide you through the questions you may have, what you can expect from a CM career, and some of its pros and cons.
	Is Software Configuration Management Dead?Joe Townsend explores whether software configuration management (SCM) is dead or simply morphing into something else. The world of SCM is very different from what it once was, and SCM professionals need to be aware of this rapidly changing field.
	Why Is Scrum So Popular?Joe Townsend tries to find out why Scrum is mentioned more by developers than any other form of agile development methodology. What’s so special about Scrum that makes it the people’s obvious choice?
	What Is the Future of Configuration Management?Joe Townsend takes a look at the future of configuration management by looking back—way back—to see what others have said about CM's future and to check whether their predictions are still relevant. It's interesting to note that the problems of the past will probably still plague us in the future.
	Why Does the Agile Manifesto Ignore Testing and Quality?Joe Townsend revisits the Agile Manifesto and discovers that the words test and quality were never mentioned. What does this mean? Surely the original signatories of the Agile Manifesto had to have quality in mind when they met. Didn’t they?
	Ways for You to Be More Successful in Agile DevelopmentJoe Townsend provides some ways to be more successful in your agile efforts. Learning from those who have succeeded and failed is extremely valuable. And for those who are old hands at agile, it never hurts to get a refresher.
	What Do You Do to Manage Software Metrics?Dealing with software metrics is one topic that is going to come up in your career. At some point, your boss or higher-up will request metrics from you or your team on the software, your process, or the people. Joe Townsend writes on how you can manage metrics.
	The Failures and Successes of Agile DevelopmentExploring the main drivers behind using agile software development methodology, Joe Townsend writes of both the failures and successes that detractors and proponents of agile have faced.
	The Differing Points of View about CMAlthough we have entered a new year, the arguments over the role of configuration management (CM) in organizations have not abated and have now morphed into a product CM versus enterprise CM dilemma. Joe Townsend explains the differing points of view and why we should care.
	The Biggest Development Trends of 2012It’s human nature to want to look back on the year we just finished and to look forward with anticipation to the coming year. Joe Townsend rounds up this year's biggest trends and shares his thoughts of what 2013 has in store for software and IT professionals.
	Six More Habits of Indispensable IT Pros Continuing from my previous list, here are six more effective habits of indispensable IT pros. These effective habits center on embracing big data, taking thankless jobs, playing nice with others, and making yourself valuable to internal and external groups.
	Six Habits of Indispensable IT ProsJoe Townsend presents a list of six habits of indispensable IT pros. This list is a common-sense approach to how you can make yourself valuable to your organization. Be prepared to be a forward thinker and embrace new technologies.
	What Is a Best Practice?“Best practice” is a term that you hear thrown around frequently in IT. Inevitably, someone finds a way to do something and then labels it a best practice. The key thing to remember when it comes to best practices is that what cures others may kill you.
	Can Your Organization Use an Outsourcing Strategy that Works?Nothing strikes fear in the heart of IT folks like the word “outsourcing," and now it appears that a company has created robots that can handle simple business and IT functions. Joe Townsend explores whether or not an outsourcing strategy can work with your organization.
	The Good, Bad, and the Ugly of Windows 8Windows 8 has been released and the world did not come to an end, as many think should happen when Microsoft releases a new OS. Joe Townsend takes a look at the reviews of Microsoft's flagship OS, including the good, bad, and, yes, even the ugly.
	Generation Y's Upcoming Impact on ITMuch has been said about Generation Y regarding their work ethic and lack of enthusiasm for IT. Joe Townsend explains why we need Generation Y to be excited about IT in order to fill the positions left empty by retiring baby boomers.
	In Search of Application SecurityWe hear a lot about network and server security, but rarely do we hear about application security. Unfortunately, it appears that not much is being written about this important topic. Joe Townsend scours the web and attempts to find the most recent developments on application security.
	Shakeup at Apple or Business as Usual?Scott Forstall, the senior vice president of iOS Software at Apple, has left the company, and his departure has captured everyone's attention. Joe Townsend explains whether or not this news means a shakeup is occurring at Apple or if it's just business as usual.
	Can RIM Make a Comeback with the BlackBerry 10?Can Research in Motion’s (RIM) BlackBerry smartphone make a comeback with its newest release, dubbed BlackBerry 10? Joe Townsend rounds up what the tech media is saying about RIM, whose writing may be on the wall.
	The Tablet Wars Heat UpWith the release of Microsoft's new Surface RT tablet and the new iPad mini, the tablet wars appear to be heating up. Joe Townsend rounds up the reviews to show you which new tablet is best for business and software professionals.
	The 2012 State of Configuration Management AddressJust as the president of the United States gives a State of the Union address, Joe Townsend has crafted his own state of the union address geared toward CM professionals. To all of you configuration managers, developers, testers, and information technology workers, the state of CM is not good.
	Cyber Attacks: The Effect on CM and QAThis month US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta issued a call to arms over the growing cyber attacks on American banks. Joe Townsend explores how these attacks will affect configuration management professionals and quality assurance dilemmas.
	Apple Maps: Disaster or Simple Mistake?When Tim Cook issued a public apology over the release of Apple Maps, critics were quick to jump on Apple. Joe Townsend looks at the long-term impact of the release of Apple Maps and whether it will go down in history as a disaster or a simple mistake.
	The Risks of Implementing BYODCIOs and IT directors need to know if they are putting themselves at risk when they implement "bring your own device," or BYOD. Joe Townsend considers whether or not the benefits of this business policy outweigh the risks to a company's security.
	Are You Secure in the Cloud? Much has been said about the lack of security in public and private clouds. Joe Townsend gives us the rundown on what is and isn't secure in the cloud as well as some tips to help protect your organization.
	What Exactly Is Big Data?Although some people may believe that the term "big data" refers to large amounts of unmanageable data, there's more to it than that. Joe Townsend explains what exactly is big data and why it needs to be managed and analyzed.
	Don't Misapply the Principles of AgileDon't misapply the principles of agile. Don't be that someone who hijacks a principle or idea and twists it to support his preferred method of work.
	Knight Capital's Quality Control and CM ProblemsOn August 1, 2012, Knight Capital experienced what all IT shops hope to avoid. A software release that was put into production caused more than $440 million in trades to take place. Joe Townsend explores the quality control and CM issues that created the problem.
	It's Time We Create a Configuration Management ManifestoA recent discussion on Linkedin about the problem of misapplying CM principles has pushed Joe Townsend to action. It's time that CM professionals create a configuration management manifesto in the form of a living document that gives professionals a mantra they can follow in their CM-related work.
	Which CM Certification Is Best?A common question CM professionals ask themselves is which CM certification is best, given the many choices, including certifications from the NDIA to the CMII. Joe Townsend investigates different CM certifications and provides some insight as to which certification is best for CM professionals.
	Agile vs. Waterfall DevelopmentWhile there are many similarities between agile and waterfall development methodologies, we have to face the truth that agile was created because of the real and perceived failures of the waterfall methodology in software development.
	Why Cloud Computing Is OverhypedA recent LinkedIn post asked whether or not there is too much hype surrounding cloud computing. Of course, the answer is yes, especially for IT professionals who are suckers for “new terminology” and the repackaging of “old ideas.”
	Can You Trust Configuration Management Vendors and Consultants?Many of us in the configuration management world will wonder at some point in our careers whether or not we can really trust vendors and consultants. Joe Townsend shares his tips on dealing with these parties who may harbor ulterior motives.
	The Role of a Project Manager in an Agile EnvironmentIn a recent post on Linkedin, a question was asked about the role of project managers in a fully agile environment. Joe Townsend weighs in and describes how a project manager can fit in with Scrum while adhering to the principles of the Agile Manifesto.
	Applying CM to Agile Teams: A Look BackJoe Townsend examines Mario Moreira's 2008 CM Crossroads article, "Applying CM to Agile Teams,” and discovers its relevance in today's workplace. For Joe, CM is already agile; it's the developers who need to be more adaptive.
	DevOps: Where Does CM Fit In? With DevOps a relatively young concept, Joe Townsend explores how configuration management fits into the big picture. Some professionals, however, might contend that CM conflicts with DevOps and agile methodologies.
	Software Defects: Why They Won't Go AwayJoe Townsend tackles why software defects in IT projects appear to be increasing in recent years. As the business side increases the pressure for faster and bigger results from IT, mistakes and defects will continue to go up.
	Siri: Novelty or Helpful “Friend?” Could Siri potentially be a valuable tool for CM professionals or is it just a novelty item? Joe Townsend explores the pros and cons of Apple's voice recognition helper.
	Agile: Not Just for IT Anymore—Or Is It? Should agile expand to other areas of business functions, such as marketing, human resources, public relations, finance, etc.? Joe Townsend believes the answer is "yes," "no," and "it depends."