"There is no one-size-fits-all approach to agile - you have to find the way that works best for your people, projects, and business."
About Colin
I started my career as a biostatistician, but I’ve always had a strong interest in computer programming. So, pivoting into the IT space was a natural transition for me. And that’s where I’ve spent the last 30 years delivering software solutions as a developer, designer, and architect.
Leveraging my vast knowledge of programming languages, I’ve designed and delivered systems for businesses in the medical, building, telecommunications, and finance industries. I even created the security and access control system for the first internet café in New Zealand.
I bring this technical expertise to my role as a trainer at Skills Development Group. My background also means I’m the go-to programmer - if there’s a system that needs automating or improving, I’m the guy to make it happen.
As one of the longest-serving trainers, I began working at SoftEd, part of Skills Development Group, in 1997, before agile had a name. And today, agile is a vital mindset for any successful organisation.
To effectively design a new system or product, understanding the big picture of what you are trying to achieve is crucial. But drilling down in small increments to gather feedback along the way is where the real gold lies. That’s why I enjoy teaching DevOps, or what I like to call agile plus. DevOps goes a step further than agile by continually listening to the needs of the end-user.
In the classroom, I like to draw on my real-world experience, and I’ll also throw in plenty of quotes! One that resonates with me in work and in life is a quote from George Santayana, who said that “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” That’s why we have a retrospective in agile. To make sure that we’re always improving and making things better.
Outside the classroom, I spend my time developing my business which is a service providing medical records management for the aviation industry. I also have a passion for astronomy, which collided with my technical skills when I built my own telescope. Then, when I want to use an entirely different skill set, I enjoy playing the piano and the saxophone.
My certifications
- ICAgile Authorised Instructor
- ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP)
- ICAgile Certified Expert in Agile Engineering (ICE-AE)
- ICAgile Certified Expert in DevOps (ICE-DO)
- ICAgile Certified Professional in Agile Test Automation (ICP-ATA)
- Certification in Business Data Analytics (CBDA)®, IIBA®
- TOGAF® 9.1 Certified, The Open Group
My education
- Bachelor of Science in Maths, Physics, and Computer Science, University of Auckland
- Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting Investment Analysis, University of Auckland
- Postgraduate Diploma of Statistics, University of Auckland
- Bachelor of Theology, Laidlaw College
