Product Driven

Engineering Clarity in the Age of AI: How Docs, Context, and Product Thinking Shape Better SoftwareSeth Rosenbauer is the founder of a tool that uses AI to help engineers create better documentation—and, more importantly, the right thing, faster.But this conversation isn’t just about tooling.It’s about how context is the new currency in engineering. Why your team’s ability to understand what to build and why is more critical than ever. And how AI is changing the shape of product communication, technical documentation, and engineering ownership.Whether you lead a growing dev team or are trying to ship more with less, this one’s for you.Key Discussion PointsSeth’s journey: From PM to founder to doc tool builderWhy traditional documentation fails engineersThe real cost of unclear requirementsWhat AI can (and can’t) fix in engineering communicationHow better docs lead to better productsThe problem with "done"—and how teams miss the last 10%Building a culture of engineering ownershipLinks & ResourcesConnect with Seth Rosenbauer on LinkedInJoggrProduct Driven - Get the BookSubscribe to the Product Driven NewsletterWhat Smart CTOs Are Doing Differently With Offshore Teams in 2025Subscribe to the Global Talent SprintFull Scale – Build your dev team quickly and affordably

Explore the hidden communication barriers between engineers and executives. Learn why innovation stalls in large organizations and how a CTO can bridge these gaps. Discover how introversion affects engineering culture and the crucial blend of product knowledge and technical expertise for success. Delve into the challenges of empathy in engineering and how storytelling can enhance collaboration. Finally, uncover the importance of soft skills and a product-driven mindset for career growth in the tech world.

Jerel Velarde, a product manager at Full Scale Ventures, shares insights on how AI is revolutionizing product management. He introduces the concept of 'prompt prototyping,' which accelerates feedback cycles and enhances collaboration between PMs and engineering teams. Jerel discusses the shift in focus from artifacts to outcomes and the evolving role of PMs as they blend design, strategy, and coding. He emphasizes the importance of coding skills for non-technical managers and the transformative potential of AI in shaping product development.

Matt chats with Randy Silver, a product and leadership consultant helping companies tackle communication and coordination challenges at scale. They delve into why execution often falters despite clear strategies, discussing the phenomenon of 'in-shittification' and its impact on innovation. Randy outlines three common organizational dysfunctions and explains why autonomy without alignment can lead to chaos. He emphasizes the importance of strong leadership and clear product strategy to restore focus and direction in growing teams.

Laura Tacho, CTO at DX and a leading expert in developer experience, shares insights on how AI is reshaping software development. She highlights the concept of developer experience and its "marketing problem." Tacho discusses the real friction sources hindering productivity, stressing that organizational challenges, not just tech issues, are the main culprits. She also unpacks the evolving role of developers, the impact of AI on workflow efficiency, and the importance of bridging communication gaps between engineering and business.

Brian Jenney, a seasoned software engineer and founder of the coding bootcamp Parsity, shares insights on the evolving role of engineers amid AI advancements. He differentiates between 'code that runs' and 'code that lasts,' emphasizing craftsmanship. Discussing the risks of over-relying on AI, he warns against blindly shipping generated code. Brian champions the importance of foundational skills in coding and highlights how diverse backgrounds contribute to the tech field, preparing career-switchers to tackle real-world challenges.

Brittany Rastsmith, a consultant for early-stage companies at Bloom Remote, shares insights on overcoming the bottleneck trap that founders often face. She discusses the importance of clear communication, measurable goals, and establishing trust within teams. Brittany emphasizes fostering psychological safety to empower team members and improve productivity. She also highlights the need for effective systems in remote leadership, urging leaders to focus on meaningful outcomes rather than just checking boxes. This conversation is packed with actionable strategies for startups.

In this engaging discussion, Noah Lindner, an ex-Airbnb engineer now consulting at 10x Developers, debunks the '10X developer' myth, redefining them as workflow architects who enhance productivity. He and host Matt Watson explore the nuances of recruiting technical co-founders in a competitive landscape, shedding light on the skills that truly matter. They discuss the vital importance of communication and feedback in software development, ultimately emphasizing how proper alignment of technical expertise and product vision can drive startup success.

Kathy Keating, an industry veteran and co-founder of CTO Levels, shares her expertise in scaling engineering teams and navigating the evolving landscape of technology leadership. She delves into the multifaceted role of the CTO, discussing how today's leaders balance strategy and operations. Key topics include the importance of understanding the broader context of engineering challenges and the impact of AI on productivity. Kathy also introduces a valuable framework to support CTOs at different stages of their careers, emphasizing the need for adaptability and leadership growth.

Product Driven: Building Software Teams That Ship Value 🚀In this special book launch episode, we dive deep into the intersection of engineering leadership, product thinking, and the transformative impact of AI on software development. Join Matt Watson and Craig Ferril as they explore the revolutionary "Product Driven Model" and why traditional development approaches are becoming obsolete.🔗 Essential Resources:Get the Book: https://a.co/d/100RmwCNewsletter: productdriven.comConnect with Matt: https://linkedin.com/in/mattwatsonFull Scale Ventures: https://fullscaleventures.comGet the Offshore Hiring Guide: https://hirefullscale.com/offshore-hiring-guideKey Discussion Highlights:🎯 The Product Driven Model (Five Core Components)Vision: Understanding the "why" behind every decisionFocus: Keeping customer outcomes at the centerClarity: Providing just enough context without overwhelmingShared Ownership: Distributing responsibility across teamsCourage: Creating psychological safety for innovation🤖 AI's Leadership ChallengeEngineering bottlenecks are shifting from throughput to directionTeams going "2x faster in the wrong direction" create bigger problemsLeadership must evolve from requirement-feeders to vision-communicatorsThe rise of "low-code thinking" in traditional development🎯 From Individual Contributors to LeadersThe transition from "doing" to "enabling others to do"Four types of engineering leadership: Strategic, Operational, Technical, and ProductWhy most leaders aren't good at all four (and shouldn't try to be)Chapter Timestamps:00:00 - Book Launch Introduction & "Find Your Craig"08:16 - Why AI Makes Product Thinking Critical15:03 - The Death Spiral of Internal Focus18:07 - Creating Cultures of Courage vs. Fear23:14 - The Five Components of Product Driven Model32:40 - Future of Engineering Leadership37:22 - Closing the Feedback Loop with Introverted Teams💡 Key Takeaways:For Engineering Leaders:Stop being the bottleneck - build teams that don't need youCreate environments where "calling the baby ugly" is celebratedFocus on making other people more productiveFor Product Teams:Shift from feature factories to outcome-driven developmentEmbrace the "win or learn" mentalityConnect every technical decision to customer valueFor Organizations:AI won't solve leadership problems - it will expose themCulture and strategy must work in tandemThe future belongs to teams that think like product ownersThe conversation reveals a fundamental shift happening in software development. As AI democratizes code creation, the competitive advantage moves from "how fast can we build" to "what should we build and why." Teams that master this transition will thrive; those that don't will find themselves building faster in the wrong direction.💬 Join the Conversation: How is your engineering team adapting to the AI-driven future? Share your experiences with implementing product thinking in technical teams!🎧 Subscribe to Product Driven for more insights on building software teams that deliver real value.Special thanks to Craig Ferril for the thoughtful discussion and early feedback on the book. The future of software development isn't just about better tools - it's about better thinking.