GOTO - The Brightest Minds in Tech Simplicity • Pragmatic Dave Thomas & Sarah Taraporewalla
Oct 10, 2025
In this engaging discussion, legendary programmer Dave Thomas, co-author of The Pragmatic Programmer, and Sarah Taraporewalla, CTO APAC at Thoughtworks, explore the essence of simplicity in software development. Dave critiques the commercialization of Agile, revealing his belief that 'Agile is Dead.' He introduces his Orient-Step-Learn framework, emphasizing that true simplicity demands mastery and deliberate practice. The duo also tackles the importance of reducing unnecessary dependencies and enhancing personal agency, while critiquing unproductive meetings that stifle creativity.
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Agile Became A Checkbox, Not A Mindset
- Dave Thomas argues Agile became a rigid, buyable process rather than a thinking framework.
- He says individuals must find ways to act without waiting for organizational change.
Simplicity Is A Skill You Must Acquire
- True simplicity requires mastery and deep practice, not naive minimalism.
- Mastery lets experts create minimal, elegant solutions beginners can't achieve.
Practice The Orient–Step–Learn Loop
- Use the Orient–Step–Learn loop: decide direction, take a small step, then gather feedback.
- Keep cycles tiny so mistakes remain cheap and learning accumulates quickly.
