Ian Miell, a seasoned engineer and CTO at Container Solutions, delves into the intricate relationship between financial architecture and software development. He highlights how organizational structures dictate software design and the importance of aligning tech initiatives with business goals. Miell also addresses the evolving role of software engineers, urging them to prioritize real-world problem-solving. Additionally, he discusses the significance of middle management in facilitating change and navigating resistance to innovation in IT.
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insights INSIGHT
Follow The Money Beyond Conway
Conway's Law limits understanding to communication paths shaping software architecture.
Ian Miell argues that financial and material flows shape organizational structures and thus software design at a deeper level.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Understand Context Before Tech
Start by understanding a company's customers, org chart, and idea-to-production process before jumping into tech decisions.
This high-level context reveals funding and organizational incentives that impact technology success.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Platform Effort Not Valued
Jan built a Kubernetes platform but her manager didn't value it because it didn't help hit yearly goals or personal promotion.
The platform's benefits weren't reflected in business metrics, causing misalignment and frustration.
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In this episode, Thomas Betts speaks with Ian Miell about how the financial aspects of a business affect how software is designed and built. If Conway’s Law says organizational structures determine the software design, then following the money helps us understand why those organization structures exist, and ultimately whether software will be successful in achieving its goals.
Read a transcript of this interview: http://bit.ly/4fmXLlJ
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