This week I was able to sit and listen to Lynne Ellyn, CIO of DTE as she offered her perspective on Agile development as she shared at the MI Agile Enthusiast Meeting. I was very happy to learn that DTE is committed to changing the way software has been written at DTE. Lynne Ellyn represents true leadership in a time when the Industry needs leaders to stand up and make a difference. Many of her contemporaries have chosen paths more easily traveled – paths that led the IT industry to offshore development. Over the past 10 years, the IT Industry has seen significant failures as we have attempted to “save money” as projects have been attempted with various offshore models. During this same period of time, pioneering IT leaders like Lynne Ellyn have chosen to adopt Agile Techniques that have proven to be very successful. It’s time to take note of these significant changes in our industry. I applaud DTE. I am encouraged by what I hear from Lynne Ellyn and her band of followers. It is time to choose a path. Which path will you choose to walk?

At Pillar, we have chosen a similar path of Agile transformation. We choose to stand with leaders like Lynne Ellyn. We are determined to “Save the IT Industry” from the failures of the past. We choose to embrace the productivity that is found within the culture of Agile Development. We have tried and and failed at most every development approach and we have found true productivity within the Agile Practices. DTE has chosen to remove the barriers between the business leaders and the IT leaders. They stand together as partners laboring for success. The devotion to Agile practices has lead to mutual accountability and trust. It has also lead to better software delivered within remarkable time frames.

At Pillar, we are seeing significant productivity increases as we choose daily to follow the path towards a new way of software development. I am convinced that we have discovered that Agile Software Development Practices are the secret to survival as we seek to increase productivity for our Industry and for our Nation.Michigan is a State that has suffered great losses. But these losses can be reversed. We need to awaken to the reality that we have the very tools necessary to overcome the failures of the past – let’s embrace and explore together the power of Agile Development. We should look to the Agile Software leaders – and the leadership of Lynne Ellyn to draw some encouragement.

The best Agile practices have been tested and proven to be successful.I look forward to attending the 2008 Agile Development Conference in Toronto this August. Over 2500 Agile Enthusiast will come together and challenge the status quo. The ways of the past are behind us. It’s time to save our IT Industry. I’m proud to be involved in the rescue mission. At Pillar we are passionate about saving our industry. I am eager to convert as many Industry IT leaders as possible. I hope you will join with me in this call for transformation.