The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source

Product development structures as systems (Interview)

Sep 23, 2022
Lucas Fernandes da Costa, a software engineer at Elastic and a text-mode enthusiast, dives deep into product development systems. He critiques traditional deadlines, advocating for flexible trajectories over rigid roadmaps. Lucas shares insights on the futility of daily stand-ups, proposing more effective communication strategies. He also emphasizes the need to engage directly with customers, challenging conventional Agile thinking. The discussion reveals the importance of adaptability and actionable metrics for fostering a healthier development environment.
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ADVICE

Engineering Teams as Queuing Systems

  • Model engineering teams as queuing systems to improve predictability.
  • Focus on matching the rate of tasks coming in with the rate of tasks being completed.
INSIGHT

Software Development vs. Manufacturing

  • Software development is not a factory; it's more like building a custom home.
  • It involves unknowns, interdependencies, and potential changes in direction.
ANECDOTE

Betting Analogy for Product Development

  • Betting analogies illustrate how uncertainty affects decision-making in product development.
  • Breaking down large bets into smaller ones allows for truncating bad bets earlier.
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