RossTaylor

Hi. I am Ross Taylor from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

I am currently working as a software project manager for a company called TransCanada. It is a Canadian-based company with a head office in Calgary and it is a major player in the North American pipeline and power markets. The software needs of the company vary from the regular requirements of any company of significant size (HR, Accounting, etc.) to software that is very specific to its line of business. I am currently working on a project in support of the pipeline business and it is a great project with some talented people.

I have been working in the I.S. industry for over twenty. I have been a developer (but I make no claim to being a great developer), an analyst and a "consultant" in two major software companies. Over the last ten years I have had some of my most fulfilling work experiences here at TransCanada, particularly my time as a "jiggler". For a long multi-year period I spent my work time in very loosely -defined and exceptionally fulfilling roles in the I.S. department, sponsored by a senior director who wanted to make changes. It was a great run. My proudest contribution was the introduction and propagation of Agile Delivery into our I.S. organization. We started in 2000 � 2001 and, by all accounts, the roll-out was a terrific success.

I like to read the thoughts and ideas of the various I.T. thinkers of our age. A personal favourite is Jerry Weinberg�s book Secrets of Consulting. (Shameless sucking-up, but true).

I look forward to meeting many over-the-wire and in person at the 2006 AYE conference.

RossTaylor 2006.07.31

Ross, I am delighted to hear that you actually are going to make it this year. See you there.

SherryHeinze 2006.07.31

Hey Ross, Glad you'll be at AYE this year. I don't mind a little flattery, and it will get you a free drink during free drink time at the Embassy Suites. - JerryWeinberg 2006.08.01

Welcome Ross! I really like Jerry's Books too. I don't drink, but maybe if I suck up I can get some free appetizers. KurtSimmons 2006.08.01

Ross,

I'm finishing three weeks at the front end of the pipe. I'm working with Chevron upgrading some of the operations computers in the San Joaquin Valley oil fields. It's been interesting.

I look forward to chatting with you this November (if not sooner.)

DonGray 2006.08.01

Thanks for the inviting comments. I have to agree with Jerry about flattery (and kind words) - I don't mind a little either.

Oh, BTW I want to send a thank you out to SherryHeinze, who was working here at TransCanada not that long ago. She answered some questions I had about AYE and whether I should sign up. Needless to say, she said good things.

Current session choices:

Sunday All Day - SessionSix000

Monday AM - SessionSix013 / PM - SessionSix014

Tuesday AM - SessionSix007 / PM - SessionSix005

Wednesday AM - SessionSix022 / PM - SessionSix016

Thursday - This will probably be a travel day.

RossTaylor 2006.08.14

Updated: Monday, August 14, 2006