The Confident Commit

In this episode of The Confident Commit, Rob is joined by Heidi Helfand, author of Dynamic Reteaming. Together, they explore the components of exceptional teams and strategies for building them to deliver better software faster.They delve into the definition of performance and the importance of aligning on what "high-performing" means for individual roles and the team as a whole. They also discuss the distinction between high-performing teams and high-performing individuals.The conversation covers how to structure great teams and the benefits of involving team members in the reteaming decision process.Heidi shares insights on why splitting up high-performing teams to create more high-performing teams often fails, and suggests alternative approaches for achieving better results.Have a guest in mind for the podcast? Reach out to us on X at @CircleCI!

In this episode, Rob sits down with Ken Rose, CTO of OpsLevel, to delve into the evolving landscape of platform teams and the pressing challenges they face. Together, they explore OpsLevel's mission to tackle the mounting complexities encountered by modern organizations.Ken sheds light on the pressing issue of accomplishing "more with less" amidst the backdrop of economic uncertainty. With organizations operating on leaner software teams, yet still expected to deliver value to customers, the discussion delves into strategies for simplifying operations and maximizing efficiency. From grappling with the complexities of growth through acquisitions to leveraging investments for streamlined processes, the conversation offers insights for leaders navigating these turbulent waters.The dialogue underscores the pivotal role of leadership in easing the burden of complexity for team members. How can leaders effectively support their teams in navigating these challenges and fostering a culture of efficiency and innovation?Eager to hear from a specific guest on the podcast? Reach out to us on X at @CircleCI!

In this episode, Rob is joined by Luis Ceze, CEO of OctoAI and a distinguished professor of computer science at the University of Washington. Together, they unpack the surge of interest in AI, attributing it to the convergence of factors like the unprecedented availability of data thanks to the internet boom and the accessibility of powerful computing resources.Their conversation delves into the pragmatic challenges developers face, such as striking the right balance between cost-effectiveness, inference speed, and ensuring scalability and availability. Luis explains how OctoAI is pioneering solutions to streamline this process, empowering developers to navigate these complexities automatically.Luis shares invaluable insights into the strategic benefits of diversifying AI models, likening the approach to the artistry of a skilled mixologist crafting a perfectly balanced cocktail.Have a guest recommendation for the podcast? Reach out to us on X at @CircleCI and let us know!

In this episode, Rob is joined by Carolyn Mooney, the CEO of Nextmv, a decision ops platform. As a seasoned expert in Decision Science, Carolyn delves into the nuanced differences in decision optimization and logistics across various industries, drawing from her experiences at Zoomer and Grubhub.The conversation unfolds around the decision maturity life cycle, exploring how companies progress from manual spreadsheet decisions to fully automated systems. They reflect on the impact of the pandemic on supply chain issues, emphasizing the heightened awareness of logistics' significance. Carolyn shares insightful perspectives on the fundamental role of optimization for efficiency in sustainability initiatives.With the transformative impact of increased AI awareness in logistics, Rob and Carolyn share the importance for all companies to contemplate the options and potential for enhancing their organizational efficiency.Have someone you'd like to hear on the podcast? Reach out to us on X at @CircleCI!

In this episode, Rob is joined by Patrick Debois, a seasoned industry expert and DevOps pioneer. Patrick shares his personal odyssey within the realm of DevOps, reflecting on the current state of the industry compared to his initial expectations. The conversation delves into the convergence of business analytics and technical analytics, exploring innovative approaches developers are adopting to integrate generative AI into their products.The two explore predictions for the year 2024, pondering whether the landscape will witness a pronounced shift towards applications or if other technical transformations will take precedence.If you have suggestions for future podcast guests, connect with us on X at @CircleCI!Get in touch with Patrick - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickdebois/YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jedi4ever 

In this episode Rob is joined by Dave Farley, software legend and author of books "Continuous Delivery" and "Modern Software Engineering”. The two tackle the essence of software development culture and the current state of software delivery. They unpack why it’s important to prioritize problem-solving abilities over technical skills when it comes to hiring, emphasizing a healthy culture and the need for continuous learning on the job.Reflecting on the past 25 years in the industry, the conversation centers on acknowledging mistakes, aiming to shorten development cycles for rapid feedback and progress. Exploring the intersection of aviation history and modern software development, Dave draws parallels with the Wright Brothers' approach to engineering and iteration.Listen in as Dave shares insights on AI automated testing and its current inability to rival the human brain, and discover the must-read books he recommends for every software developer.Connect with us on Twitter/X at @CircleCI to share your thoughts or suggest future guests for the show!

In today’s episode, Rob is joined by CircleCI’s own Aisling Conroy. Aisling, a key player in CircleCI’s product marketing and competitive intelligence, provides a window into the thoughts of analysts in the ever-evolving CI/CD space. Their discussion explores how the power of diverse perspectives in problem-solving can yield many different types of product offerings.They discuss the intricate nature of software developers as unique and discerning customers, recognizing developers' inherent problem-solving abilities. The episode unfolds with insights into emerging trends in the tooling space and the promising potential for increased collaboration between developers and customer-facing teams.Have someone you’d like to hear on the podcast, reach out to us on Twitter/X at @CircleCI!

In this episode, Rob sits down with Lewis Menelaws from Coding with Lewis, a prominent social media influencer and content creator specializing in entertaining and empowering software developers. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of learning the craft, drawing comparisons between the present day and the learning experiences of 25 years ago.The conversation delves into the transformative impact of AI on the learning process and Lewis shares valuable insights on how senior leaders and developers can effectively guide and empower the upcoming generation of developers. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on the past, present, and future of software development education.Have someone you’d like to hear on the podcast, reach out to us on X/Twitter at @CircleCI!

Gideon Mendels, Co-founder and CEO of Comet ML, discusses the intersection of machine learning and software engineering. Topics include model performance evaluation, monitoring ML models in production, basics of machine learning for software engineers, and building an effective machine learning team.

In this episode, dive deep into the world of AI-enabled products and the push to explore and integrate them at CircleCI. Rob is joined by Aakar Shroff, CircleCI’s VP of product. Aakar shares valuable insights into AI product development and how AI tools can be leveraged to streamline software delivery processes.Rob and Aakar explore the fast-evolving AI landscape, including the convergence of different media formats and the future possibilities it holds for applications. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the potential of AI in software delivery and discover the exciting challenges and opportunities this ever-evolving field offers.