Thank you so much for your interest in Quality Tree Software, Inc.

When I founded this company in 1997, the predominant model of software development involved cycles lasting months or even years with massive up front design and end-of-cycle QA.

My decision to found a company came out of my frustration with the status quo. The long cycles, heavy weight processes, and inevitable resulting chaos seemed insane to me. I knew there was a better way. I wanted to help organizations stuck in the quagmire of poor quality. At the time, I knew some ways to help, but I didn't have a full vocabulary to articulate everything I sensed intuitively.

Agile changed everything. The values and principles in the Agile Manifesto resonated deeply for me, and I embraced the disciplined engineering practices in Extreme Programming. Finally, I had a clear vision of how things should be and a way to express it.

In 2003 I was fortunate enough to wangle my way onto a Pivotal Labs project where we practiced Extreme Programming. The experience on that project forever shaped how I viewed software development. I turned what I learned there into talks, classes, and ultimately an entire Agile coaching practice.

Since then, I have worked with dozens of clients all over the world. I feel so very lucky to have had the opportunity to meet and work with incredibly talented people from all over.

Through it all, however, I kept coming back to Pivotal Labs. It's where I went to remember what software development is supposed to feel like.

During the fall and early winter of each year, I take time to consider my own professional goals and my company strategy. In the past, such annual reflections have led to relatively small shifts in my business: new classes, new collaborations, opening Agilistry Studio.

This year, I felt the need for bigger changes. First, I made the very difficult decision to close the studio: after three years, I just could no longer justify the expense of running it at a loss. As I contemplated what the coming year might bring, I realized that I felt incredibly restless. I could not imagine running my business the same way I had for the last decade. I questioned whether running my own business was the best way for me to contribute to the industry and to continue to grow as a professional.

Ultimately, I decided that it was time to join forces with something much larger than my tiny company. I began to look around.

As it happened, the timing couldn't possibly have worked out any better. There was a permanent place for me at Pivotal Labs, and I jumped on it. I started my new job at the end of November. It feels like returning home.

My new job means that I am not available for coaching or training engagements. You can still read my thoughts on my blog and follow me on Twitter. In addition, my book on exploratory testing, Explore It!, is available from Pragmatic Bookshelf.

Over the years, I have worked with several talented coaches and trainers. If you find yourself on this page because you're looking for help, I recommend you see them:

• Dale Emery is an exceptional technical and organizational coach. He has deep experience with programming practices and test automation. He is authorized to run any of my training classes that were previously available from Quality Tree Software, Inc. including WordCount, the agile transformation simulation.
• Dawn Haynes teaches my Creative Software Testing class.
• Rob Myers coaches teams in software development practices, especially test driven development.
• David Chilcott works with teams in transition. He is authorized to run WordCount.
• Ainsley Nies is a gifted teacher and facilitator.

The last 15 years have been an amazing journey. I am tremendously grateful to all my clients, students, and colleagues for their support and encouragement.

Thank you.