Michael Portwood

I'm Michael Portwood and I've dedicated my career to advancing business through software development. My focus is on the innovation, methodologies, management, and technologies that enable business value creation.

My experiences include leading, innovating, architecting, and developing diverse solutions:

• Combined Internet and mobile technologies into multi-tenant SaaS Web 2.0 category and brand management micro-segmentation decision support services for the fast moving consumer goods industry,
• Developed patented rapid software application development tools that produces globalized platform and deployment independent solutions,
• Architected a patented Web-based prescription compliance service using the Application Service Provider (ASP) Business Model,
• Created client-server based franchise compliance management systems,
• Built an object-oriented real-time embedded platform and associated automated test equipment, and,
• Many more.

My career has taken me from small startups to Fortune 50 corporations, and companies sized in between. I've built and helmed two technology startups and a consultancy, and have provided the vision and technological expertise to make them successful. In addition, I've developed and secured the intellectual property rights for these companies, including US and international patent acquisition.

I regularly speak at international business management and software development conferences on innovation, business leadership, business models and technology topics.

Innovation Management

Businesses grow value through product and process innovation. Without proper management, these changes can be disruptive and damaging. I have successfully introduced effective innovation management to business process and product development by creating environments that respond to opportunities.

I believe business innovation demands engaged human capital at every level contributing creatively to a company's value creation.

Enterprise Agility

I view “agile” as enterprise methodologies rather than strictly development approaches because, when properly applied, agile methodologies raise organizations by integrating business processes to create greater value.

I've seen the outstanding financial, productive, and quality improvements possible by transitioning companies, both large and small, from waterfall to agile. These approaches create environments fostering streamlined processes and cross-discipline cooperation. The benefits go well beyond the balance sheet by creating an enjoyable, low turnover work environment.

I believe the full potential of agile methodologies can only be realized with deep, organization integration.

Java Development

I've been involved with Java software development since its inception. It singularly gives businesses a technology competitive advantage by removing the platform barrier.

I believe Java technology is best suited for most enterprise business solutions because it allows business to defer and even change hardware and operating systems choices with minimal cost.

Quality

Regardless of your development paradigm, your product will suffer without proper code coverage. Unit testing is ineffective unless it is coupled with a systemic approach to quality.

Unit testing is not sufficient to produce world-class solutions so I have pioneered a process called, "Quality on Quality," or QoQ. This process approaches quality from multiple aspects, focusing on the effectiveness of unit tests along with architectural and other tests to produce guidance for raising software quality. QoQ enhances the software build process by testing the quality of line coverage and branch coverage, along architectural defects. The end result is fewer defects reaching customer.

I believe approaches like QoQ advance the utility, lifecycle and quality of software products.

The Future

One of the enjoyable parts of my career has been exploring practical ways to advance the art and science of technology in business. I am constantly exploring promising new management and technology solutions for implementation.

I believe the best is yet to come and I'm compelled to find and then help refine ideas into practical action.