RTP - Software Process Improvement Network

Biography: Ken Auer

Ken Auer is the founder of RoleModel Software, Inc. whose mission is to provide leadership in the development of robust, flexible software assets for its clients. He has been part of building software in an agile way for twenty years with an excellent track record of results in a variety of business and technical roles. His experience as a Technical Leader, Project Manager, and Director increases his effectiveness. He skillfully balances the business and people sides of software with the technical side to maximize "real progress" toward his clients' goals. He develops successful software and successful teams that build successful software. In recent years he has been integral to the development and delivery of a variety of software products that are being used daily by real people ranging from an automotive diagnostic tool, to bio-medical data management and analysis, to group and curriculum management software.

Mr. Auer has been well-known for many years for his expertise in object technology through published articles and participation in industry conferences, panels and workshops. He has been working with various object-oriented languages in industrial settings since 1985. He was a pioneer in the use of Extreme Programming, building the first Extreme Programming Software Studio™ and co-authoring a highly acclaimed book, “Extreme Programming Applied: Playing to Win”, first published in October of 2001 as part of the Addison-Wesley XP Series.

Prior to founding RoleModel Software, Inc. in 1997, Mr. Auer served as Director of Applied Technology at Knowledge Systems Corporation (KSC) in Cary, N.C. KSC had been a leader in Object Technology concentrating primarily on Smalltalk consulting and training services. Mr. Auer joined KSC in 1988 as one of the initial five employees and has been a well-recognized force in its clients' success and KSC's growth. At the time of his departure, KSC had been named to the Inc. 500 five years in a row, and had grown to a $10M company. He came to KSC from Paradyne Corporation where he was one of the key designers of a distributed, multi-user network management system using many modern technologies that were considered leading edge at the time.