Who is Mark Pearl?

Mark was proposed by Cara and Kevin

This is what Kevin has to say about Mark:

I first met Mark Pearl when interviewing him for a position at Driven Software. Since then I have seen him grow from strength to strength and watched his knowledge and understanding of Agile grow and deepen to what it is today. When it comes to software development, Mark is one of those people who has been able to combine an understanding of process with that of technical implementation, meaning that he can help people to understand not only how to structure their flow of work but also coach the agile engineering principles and practices that are required to support it.

What is something people usually don’t know about you but has influenced you in who you are?

When I was growing up I wanted to be a professional basketball player. I was never good enough, but it got me into playing team sports. Learning to be part of a team in my youth has had an impact on how I view my interactions with work colleagues and software development as a whole.

What would have become of you, if you were not doing the job you do today?

I would have ended up in some sort of team based work environment. I wanted to be a botanist when I was a kid, although I don’t think I really understand what that was or is.

What is your biggest challenge and why is it a good thing for you?

The biggest challenge for me is to have balance. I like to focus in on one thing an explore it to its n’th degree, This is very useful in the IT world where there is a need to understand things in depth. Not so great when you are trying to stay in shape but forget to exercise because you are engrossed in a book.

What drives you?

Being better than what I was yesterday.

What is your biggest achievement?

My son and family.

Is there a piece of music that has a special meaning for you?

Shaggy : “Mr. Lover Lover” – This could potentially be a long story, but it has meaning to my youth. In matric it got me the lead role in the school musical of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - who would have thought??

What is the last book you have read?

Domain Driven Design by Eric Evans

What question do you think we should also ask and what is the answer?

This one I have no clue on.

Whom do you think we should ask next in South Africa?

Janco Wolmarans – I think he will have some very insightful comments.

Whom do you think we should ask next, not in South Africa?

Since I am reading Eric Evans book right now, I nominate him.

How would you define your relation to the South African Agile community?

Growing contributor.

Johannesburg, June 2013

How to connect with Mark

Twitter: @MarkPearlCoZa

Linked In: za.linkedin.com/pub/mark-pearl/14/843/899