software development

Product Engineers can replace Product Managers in consumer software roles by fostering equal participation among Engineering, Design, and Product teams. Current structures often create dysfunction, with Product Managers overstepping by acting as decision-makers, Designers becoming entrenched in their own processes, and Engineers feeling disconnected due to unclear directives. A Product Engineer possesses in-depth product knowledge, drives accountability, and promotes clear communication across teams. Successful product outcomes stem from empowering those who build to share product responsibilities, minimizing reliance on conventional Product Managers.

https://randsinrepose.com/archives/the-product-engineer/

No longer discussing microservices due to: 1) ambiguous definitions causing miscommunication. 2) abstract conversations disconnected from real business goals. 3) organizational changes often ignored, making microservices adoption ineffective. Focus should shift to tangible outcomes rather than microservices debates.

https://blog.container-solutions.com/why-im-no-longer-talking-to-architects-about-microservices

Tech perks dwindled; layoffs increased. Shift from zero interest rates encouraged reckless hiring to prioritizing profitability. COVID gave a short-term boost but wasn’t the main cause. Engineers' personal interests now conflict with company goals, risking job security. The reality: delivering value means retaining jobs; unrealistic perks were an illusion. A realistic approach to engineering simplifies the role but involves navigating tough market conditions.

https://www.seangoedecke.com/good-times-are-over/

Horizon Worlds, Meta's metaverse project, is struggling due to leadership's misunderstanding of the platform, reliance on 2D app developers, and ineffective monetization strategies. Former Meta developers highlight issues like mandatory “dogfooding” leading to automation, lack of VR experience within the team, and an inability to innovate, resulting in a poor user experience. With only about 300,000 users, compared to Second Life's 500,000, Horizon Worlds is at risk of being labeled a failure. A possible solution to revitalize it involves transitioning to an open-source model, allowing developers to innovate freely and regain user interest.

https://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2025/03/horizon-worlds-meta-why-failed.html

Great software design often appears simple because it prioritizes eliminating failure modes through effective strategies. Instead of reactive fixes, true design focuses on removing risks by simplifying components, centralizing state, and using reliable systems like the Ruby webserver Unicorn. This leads to better long-term stability, even if it means sacrificing excitement or complexity—great design is often unsexy and straightforward.

https://www.seangoedecke.com/great-software-design/

Extreme TLDR: Troubleshooting, the skill of finding and fixing system issues, is essential across various domains. It entails understanding systems, observing symptoms, isolating problems, and systematically testing hypotheses. Effective troubleshooting balances information gathering with attempts to fix issues, considers the stakes involved, and relies on patience, creativity, and adaptability. Learning from experience and maintaining a positive outlook towards the system can enhance troubleshooting efforts.

https://www.autodidacts.io/troubleshooting/

Long-term software maintenance realities discussed in Ashley's blog.

https://www.construct.net/en/blogs/ashleys-blog-2/reality-long-term-software-1892

Practical Alloy is a guide to formal software design using the Alloy modeling language, focusing on developing models for software systems to explore design alternatives and validate requirements. It covers structural and behavioral modeling, with practical examples, making it suitable for both simple applications and complex distributed protocols.

https://practicalalloy.github.io/

Explore alternative product development methodologies beyond Scrum, Kanban, and Scrumban; these include:

1. ShapeUp: A 6-week cycle focusing on shaping solutions before committing to builds through phases: Shaping, Betting Table, and Building.
2. Plan > Build > Ship: A lighter waterfall approach emphasizing complete ownership of features from planning to shipping.
3. Get Shit Done (GSD): Emphasized by Shopify, this method promotes rapid problem-solving through Think, Explore, and Build phases, supported by tracking tools.

These alternatives cater to different organizational needs and should be considered when structuring product processes.

https://www.departmentofproduct.com/blog/product-development-processes-you-might-not-have-heard-of/