Software Design: Tidy First?

The Substack explores the intersections of software design, human psychology, and work culture, aiming to offer insights into improving technical skills, design intuition, and professional relationships. It covers topics from programming philosophies to managing complexity, addressing both technical challenges and personal growth in the technology sector.

Software Design Programming Practices Professional Development Technology and Society Human Psychology Work Culture Business Strategy Innovation and Experimentation

The hottest Substack posts of Software Design: Tidy First?

And their main takeaways

Caterpillar to Butterfly

1237 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Expertise Design Consulting Scaling
  1. As organizations grow, the need for specialist skills becomes more important. It's not enough to have hobbyists; experts are needed to handle complex tasks.
  2. When specialist teams form, their priorities might clash with client teams' needs. Client teams often want quick fixes, while specialists aim for quality work.
  3. To handle increased requests, organizations should empower client teams to solve their own issues. This self-service approach helps manage workloads and creates better efficiency.

Anatomy of Oscillation

1060 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Systems theory Documentation Agile development GenAI
  1. Oscillation occurs when systems swing between extremes, like adjusting a thermostat. A delay between making a change and feeling the effect can cause back-and-forth adjustments.
  2. In nature, predator and prey populations can also oscillate, like rabbits and hawks. More rabbits lead to more hawks, which eventually can cause the rabbit population to drop, repeating the cycle.
  3. Calls for comprehensive documentation in software may lead to oscillation. As information decays over time, teams might swing between needing more documentation and finding fewer resources to support that need.

How I Will Measure My Life

1259 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Decision-making Intuition Tradeoffs
  1. Not everything in life can be measured or compared. Some experiences, like special family dinners or random acts of kindness, are unique and important in ways that numbers can't capture.
  2. Money can create options for us, but not all money is equally valuable for choices. Having enough savings can open up more possibilities, but beyond a point, additional money may not significantly change your options.
  3. Freetime is valuable because it allows you to choose how you spend your time. More freetime means more opportunities to pursue interests, but sometimes a little extra isn't as important once you reach a comfortable level.

Developer Productivity Metrics: Education Necessary

2098 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Productivity Metrics Engineering Communication
  1. Metrics can help improve productivity, but they can also be misunderstood or misused. It's important to communicate them clearly and use them to support developers instead of pressure them.
  2. Goodhart's Law reminds us that when a measure becomes a target, it can lose its value. This means we need to be careful about how we use metrics to avoid gaming the system.
  3. It's crucial to focus on improving the developer experience, not just making them happy. Measuring effectiveness can help identify and eliminate roadblocks that slow down productivity.

Measuring Programmer Influence, Kinda Sorta

1347 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Data Analysis Programming Project management
  1. Data can provide hints about a programmer's influence, but it can't give a clear answer. It's important to interpret the data with caution and avoid making strict decisions based solely on it.
  2. Creating files is one way to measure initiation of influence, but it's not the only factor. The impact is also determined by how frequently those files are modified by others.
  3. Using data for bonuses or promotions can lead to problems. It's better to focus on improvement and impact rather than just the numbers, to maintain a healthy team dynamic.
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Complain & Propose

3026 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Engineering Communication Management
  1. Always offer a solution when you raise a complaint. This helps others see the way forward and saves time.
  2. Consider things from the other person's point of view. Everyone has their own valid perspective, and understanding that can improve communication.
  3. Don't let emotions cloud your judgment about others' intentions. Assume people mean well, even if they lack experience.

Remote Site Growth Is Not A Conquest Game

839 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Remote work Project management Growth Strategy Collaboration
  1. When growing a remote site, it's better to explore many projects at once rather than stick to just a few. This can help increase chances of success early on.
  2. Balancing between immediate growth and long-term profitability is key. Sometimes, a quick push in new projects can lead to bigger rewards down the line.
  3. Bringing in new talent to fresh projects can provide new ideas and perspectives. It's important to believe in their potential to contribute quickly.

Additional Testing After Refactoring

950 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Testing Refactoring Design Patterns Programming
  1. It's important to write more tests after refactoring. This helps improve accuracy and confidence in your code.
  2. When you break down a big piece of code into smaller parts, consider writing smaller tests for those parts, especially if you plan to reuse them.
  3. You might face a dilemma on whether to keep redundant tests after refactoring. It's good to regularly review tests to make sure you have the best approach for checking your code.

Bugs Optional?

1723 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Programming Engineering Quality Assurance Project management
  1. Bugs don't have to be a normal part of software development. Some teams manage to almost eliminate bugs by approaching their work differently.
  2. Instead of seeing bugs as inevitable, teams can work to understand and prevent them right from the start. This includes practices like continuous integration and team collaboration.
  3. Changing how we think about bugs from a normal part of life to something rare can help create a better work environment and improve software quality.

Moving On

1281 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Innovation Development Experiments
  1. It's important to recognize when to move on from a project that isn't working. You don't have to stick with something just because you've already invested time or resources into it.
  2. Balancing between believing in your ideas and treating them as experiments is key. If something isn't getting good feedback, it's okay to change direction and try something new.
  3. Using timeboxing can help you make better decisions about projects. Setting a time limit lets you step back and reconsider if it's worth continuing or if you should explore other options.

Options, Financial & Software

243 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Finance Development Innovation
  1. Refactoring chapters can be tough to get started on, and finding the right motivation is important. Keeping momentum while writing helps you overcome these challenges.
  2. The metaphor of 'software as options' is valuable and can lead to deeper understanding in software design. Exploring these ideas can enhance how we think about software development.
  3. It's beneficial to connect economic concepts with software design to understand their value better. This connection helps in making informed decisions in both fields.

Chapter Bundles of Options

198 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Engineering Options
  1. Creating options in software development is essential, especially when there's uncertainty. Keeping options open increases the value of the project.
  2. Investing time in software design is important for better cohesion and less coupling. This helps the system work more efficiently together.
  3. The more you avoid tight connections between parts of the software, the more flexibility you will have. This flexibility is crucial for future changes or improvements.

Managing Expand Projects

1193 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
💼 Business Project management Software Development Risk management Growth Strategies
  1. In a phase of rapid growth, problems can emerge suddenly, and it's crucial to focus on quick fixes instead of getting bogged down in perfect plans. This might mean using basic solutions to keep things running.
  2. When facing high demand and limited resources, the goal is to delay or prevent resource shortages. This can involve spending more money or reducing the growth rate to manage resources better.
  3. It's important to stay calm and creative during crises. Experimenting with new ideas in small, parallel teams can help find solutions quickly, which is necessary to continue growing without causing irreversible problems.

Kent Beck: Illuminating the Pattern Language of Modern Life

684 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🎨 Art & Illustration Modern Art Abstract art Art Process Art Techniques
  1. Kent Beck's artwork combines traditional methods with modern themes, using materials like acrylic on glass and mirrors. This unique approach connects past art styles with today's technology.
  2. His cityscapes focus on how light shapes our urban experiences, emphasizing moments that can easily be missed. Each light point represents both existence and the possibility of absence.
  3. Beck's abstract pieces follow strict patterns with colors that never touch, reflecting the inner workings of his mind. This turns each work into an exploration of how we perceive reality and our environment.

“Best” Practices Ain’t...

1833 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Practices Collaboration
  1. Not all problems are the same, so don't always rely on 'best practices.' Different types of problems need different approaches.
  2. Using 'best practice' as a catchphrase can be misleading. It can hide someone's lack of confidence or let others avoid taking responsibility.
  3. For simple problems, sure, use 'best practices.' But for more complex issues, think critically and come up with your own solutions instead.

Learning in the Forest

2032 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Learning Engineering Productivity
  1. Learning should come before production. It's important to focus on what team members need to learn, even if it slows down work at first.
  2. Juniors are still learning, so we shouldn't rush them. It's better to allow them to choose tasks that will help them grow, and to support their learning through pairing with seniors.
  3. Investing time in learning pays off. Gaining skills and knowledge today will help create better projects and more capable engineers in the future.

Fruits & Roots

2187 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Team Dynamics Project management Engineering Practices
  1. The Forest represents a way of working where teams can deliver value quickly and effectively, highlighting benefits like fewer bugs and delivering good news often.
  2. Achieving the success of The Forest requires commitment to its roots, which involve working together, learning actively, and not over-planning.
  3. Communicating a shared purpose and fostering a strong community are crucial for maintaining the balance between roots and fruits in a productive team environment.

The Product Development Triathlon

1436 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Product Design Innovation Project management User Experience
  1. Product development happens in three main phases: Explore, Expand, and Extract. Each part has its own challenges and ways to tackle them.
  2. You need different skills and tools for each phase. Trying to use expansion tools in exploration will slow you down.
  3. It's important to notice when you're transitioning between phases. Adapting quickly helps keep the project on track.

Intentions & Actions

1082 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Design User Interface Machine Learning Programming User Experience
  1. People often come to computers with intentions, like wanting to watch a show or add a stop to a trip. But the actions needed to achieve those intentions can be confusing and hard to remember.
  2. When the computer does what we want easily, we feel amazed and grateful. But this happens less often because of complicated menus and actions we have to figure out.
  3. Kids find it easier to use technology because they learn quickly from their friends and practice a lot. They navigate digital worlds more smoothly, while others often struggle with the basics.

Meeting Prevents Exceeding

353 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Engineering Development Innovation
  1. You can't meet and exceed expectations at the same time. Focusing only on meeting others' expectations can limit your personal growth.
  2. Setting your own goals helps you think independently and be more creative. When you manage your own expectations, you can achieve unexpected results.
  3. Learning to take risks and act on your own ideas is important for growth as an engineer. The more you practice this, the better you'll become at finding your own path.

Different Bests in Different Contexts

861 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Process Strategy
  1. Different tasks require different strategies. What works for one situation might not work for another, so it's good to be flexible.
  2. In a project, you might focus on playing around with ideas, then expanding and finally getting results. Each stage has its own challenges and goals.
  3. Understanding the different phases of a project can help guide how you work. It helps avoid mistakes and ensures the right approach for each part.

Forest & Desert

1900 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Design System Architecture Engineering Practices Project management
  1. In software development, there are two environments: a challenging 'desert' where mistakes are costly, and a supportive 'forest' where teams can work collaboratively and learn from their errors.
  2. Strategies that work in a desert, like detailed planning and strict reviews, won't help in a forest, which thrives on testing, incremental growth, and collaboration.
  3. To shift from a desert to a forest, teams need to understand why their current situation exists and take small steps toward creating a more supportive and effective work environment.

Attracted To The Desert (Or The Forest)

1634 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Practices Optimization Collaboration
  1. Software development has different styles that often lead to similar outcomes, guided by underlying trends called attractors. These attractors influence how teams change over time, pulling them towards certain approaches.
  2. It’s not just about adding more value in software projects. Instead, the focus should be on removing waste and improving efficiency in how teams work together.
  3. The environment where a team operates, whether it's a productive forest or a limiting desert, greatly affects their potential for growth. The forest offers more opportunities for improvement than the desert.

Personal Site Refresh

176 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Web Development User Experience Digital Media Tech Trends
  1. Trying to manage many interests can be tricky, but it's important to embrace all parts of yourself. It helps to answer questions like 'What are you up to?' more honestly.
  2. A personal website can serve as a great way to showcase your thoughts and projects. It's like a digital home where you can share what you're passionate about.
  3. Adding new topics to your website can keep it fresh and engaging. It's a way to express your evolving interests and ideas.

One Hand On The Yoke

950 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Culture Processes Engineering
  1. Flying an airplane usually works better with one hand on the yoke instead of two. This way, it's easier to keep a smooth flight and not overcorrect.
  2. When you let go a bit and trust a self-organizing team, you can achieve better results, just like flying with less tension.
  3. Sometimes trying to control things too tightly can make them worse, like struggling with a suitcase that wobbles. Often, a lighter touch or changing the tool helps.

Far Behind The Eyes

463 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Mental health Personal Growth Social Commentary Literary Analysis
  1. Hypervigilance can help people adapt to abusive situations and keep them slightly safer. However, it can also turn into a habit of constantly second-guessing everything.
  2. Once someone leaves that abusive situation, it can be hard to let go of the hypervigilance. They might still feel the need to stay alert and cautious, even when it's no longer necessary.
  3. This can lead to a feeling of living 'far behind' where they actually are in life. They may struggle to fully engage in their new, safer environment.

Moving Mental Mountains

1369 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
💼 Business Finance Technology Economics Management Workforce
  1. Now it's easier and cheaper to explore data and insights, so we should be more curious and take the time to investigate our 'I wonder' moments.
  2. Emotional reactions often replace actual work, and we need to focus on doing the analytical tasks instead of just responding emotionally.
  3. When analyzing data, start small and make sure your findings are accurate. Sharing what you learn can help you grow and encourage collective knowledge.

Why Insurance Companies Are Rationally Failing Their Social Purpose

1391 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
💼 Business Insurance Finance Economics Investing Risk management
  1. Insurance is meant to convert risks into opportunities, allowing people to buy homes and start businesses by protecting lenders against losses. But it's complicated when companies only want to insure low-risk customers.
  2. Insurance companies often cut back on the risks they cover to stay competitive and offer lower prices, which means they might not support those in need, like entrepreneurs with health issues.
  3. For insurance to work as it should, companies need to stop focusing solely on low-risk clients. They should start covering real people, including those who are a bit riskier, to provide the societal benefits that insurance was originally designed for.

The Captain Class

1082 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎾 Sports Leadership Teamwork Communication Psychology Success
  1. Great sports teams have successful captains who share important traits. These traits include perseverance, pushing boundaries, and doing hard work for the team.
  2. Captains are key to strong teamwork because they communicate well and can handle tough conversations. They help keep the team focused and motivated.
  3. Organizations should recognize and support the behaviors that good captains display. This support helps teams improve and succeed together.

In Praise of the Desert

773 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Design Methodology Innovation
  1. It's okay to just get things done, even if resources are limited. Sometimes, making progress is a big win.
  2. Working in tough conditions can still lead to success, and many teams create valuable software despite the challenges.
  3. The focus should be on growing skills and thriving, rather than just surviving in difficult situations.

Refactoring: Narrow ↔ Widen Parameter

530 implied HN points • 25 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Refactoring Development Programming
  1. Narrowing and widening parameters are important techniques in refactoring code. They help make the code more flexible and easier to understand.
  2. Refactoring can initially seem tricky, but it can also be enjoyable and rewarding. It's a good practice to keep improving your code.
  3. Getting feedback on your refactoring efforts is valuable. It helps you see what works and what can be improved.

Flying Solo

463 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Innovation Research
  1. Time is precious, and we should focus on spending it in meaningful ways. It's important to prioritize what truly matters in our lives.
  2. Stepping down from a role can be a way to reclaim your time and energy. Sometimes, less responsibility can lead to a more fulfilling life.
  3. Believing in a mission or team is important, but personal time and happiness should come first. Balancing passion with personal needs is key.

Tidy Together Chapter: Long-Running Design Changes

287 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Innovation Programming
  1. Mixing design with features is important. It's good to experiment with designs while keeping an eye on the overall features.
  2. Timing matters when tidying up your work. It's helpful to tidy design just before implementation to keep things organized.
  3. When working on design changes, you have to decide when to start, continue, or stop. It's about finding the right balance in your workflow.

Exploring AI

2496 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Experiments Innovation
  1. Every technological revolution involves something valuable becoming cheaper.
  2. In an exploration phase, conduct many experiments and embrace duplication.
  3. Embrace the changed cost landscape and actively explore new possibilities.

Measuring Lines/Function

132 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Programming Data Analysis Development Practices
  1. Measuring lines of code in functions can be more complicated than expected. It's helpful to keep track of this while working on software projects.
  2. Looking for patterns in software, like Pareto distributions, can provide valuable insights. It's good practice to analyze your own code for these patterns.
  3. Documenting your findings is important. Sharing your experiences can help others who are trying to understand their software better.

Professional Pricing

2518 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
💼 Business Business Model Revenue growth
  1. Consider raising prices to increase revenue, but be aware of potential tradeoffs.
  2. Subscribers can expect to improve software design and communication skills, connect with a community, and receive thought-provoking ideas.
  3. New pricing for the newsletter will be $25/month starting January 15, 2024, so signing up before then locks in the current $7/month rate.