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Developer Insights

Developer Insights

By: Dave Ballantyne
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 Join us on Developer Insights, where we dive deep into the world of software development, uncovering the passion, creativity, and innovation that drive the developers shaping our digital future. Each episode features candid conversations with top industry professionals, tech pioneers, and rising stars, sharing their journeys, challenges, and successes. From cutting-edge technologies to the human stories behind the code, we explore what makes developers tick and the pivotal role they play in transforming industries. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your coding journey, Developer Insights offers a fresh, inspiring take on the world of development. Tune in to hear real stories, expert advice, and practical tips that will not only enhance your skills but also spark your imagination and ignite empathy, better dialogue and genuine humanity in our industry!© 2025 Dave Ballantyne Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • S1E4 - From Connected Vehicles to Connected Software and People (James Simon)

    S1E4 - From Connected Vehicles to Connected Software and People (James Simon)
    Jun 16 2024

    Summary

    The conversation explores the experiences of working in the EV connected vehicle space and the challenges and differences in software development in the automotive industry. It discusses the shift towards software-defined vehicles and the ability to make changes in the cloud. The importance of developer experience and the ability to deliver work quickly is emphasized. The conversation also touches on the challenges of autonomy in larger organizations and the need for executable governance and domain-driven design. The resistance to adopting new disciplines in software development is also discussed. The conversation covers various topics related to industrial development, domain design, working directly with the business, and the challenges of implementing change in different organizations. They discuss the importance of taking time for domain design and the need for continuous improvement. They also touch on the concept of tech debt and the challenges of managing it in the automotive industry. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the importance of psychological safety and the need for investment in creating a positive work environment.

    Keywords

    EV connected vehicle, software development, automotive industry, software-defined vehicles, developer experience, autonomy, executable governance, domain-driven design, industrial development, domain design, working with the business, change management, tech debt, psychological safety

    Takeaways

    • Working in the EV connected vehicle space presents unique challenges and differences in software development compared to other industries.
    • The shift towards software-defined vehicles allows for more flexibility and the ability to make changes in the cloud.
    • Developer experience is crucial in delivering work quickly and efficiently.
    • Autonomy in larger organizations requires executable governance and domain-driven design.
    • Resistance to adopting new disciplines in software development can hinder progress and innovation. Taking time for domain design is crucial for successful industrial development.
    • Working directly with the business helps in understanding their needs and delivering value.
    • Implementing change requires breaking old habits and challenging the status quo.
    • Tech debt is a constant challenge in the automotive industry and needs to be managed effectively.
    • Creating a psychologically safe work environment is essential for team productivity and well-being.

    Titles

    • Overcoming Resistance to New Disciplines in Software Development
    • The Importance of Developer Experience in Delivering Work Quickly Managing Tech Debt in the Automotive Industry
    • Working Directly with the Business for Better Results

    Sound Bites

    • "Creating features for people, right, on the fly."
    • "Why can't we deliver today's work today?"
    • "Every company that has invested in autonomy has reaped the benefits."
    • "I think as you move from shop to shop to shop, let's go out there and state that I don't think anyone's got any bad intentions."
    • "Being able to take these things down to the smallest possible level that can be moved around."
    • "Effectively starts breaking a few eggs and actually trying to break and smash the system in some way, shape or form."

    Chapters

    00:00
    Introduction and Background

    01:00
    Working in the EV Connected Vehicle Space

    07:05
    The Importance of Developer Experience

    09:10
    Achieving Autonomy and Delivering Work Quickly

    12:01
    The Role of Traditional IT and Migration/Modernization

    14:18
    Executable Governance and Discipline

    16:07
    Resistance to New Disciplines in Software Development

    19:18
    Working Directly with the Business

    20:28
    Challenges of Implementing Change

    22:14
    Managing Tech Debt in the Automotive Industry

    29:27
    The Significance of Psychological Safety
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    33 mins
  • S1E3 - From Developer to CEO - the "Accidental Tech Leader"- Aaron Phethean

    S1E3 - From Developer to CEO - the "Accidental Tech Leader"- Aaron Phethean
    May 25 2024
    SummaryThe conversation explores the journey from developer to CEO, the challenges of transitioning from a technical role to a leadership position, and the importance of developing a well-rounded skill set. It also touches on the need for partnerships and collaboration within a big company, the integration of the human element in technology roles, and the balance between work and personal life. The discussion delves into the role of testing in software development and data pipelines, the impact of AI on developers, and the future of data projects. The conversation explores the challenges and differences between data teams and traditional developer teams. It also discusses the impact of legacy systems on data projects and the importance of agility in data management. The conversation touches on the potential of AI and generative interfaces in data technology. It also addresses the decision-making process for choosing data technologies and strategies. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the biggest opportunities in data for companies, including self-service analytics, data sensing, monetization, and connectivity.Keywordsdeveloper to CEO, transitioning roles, leadership, partnerships, collaboration, work-life balance, testing, data pipelines, AI, data projects, data teams, traditional developer teams, legacy systems, agility, AI, generative interfaces, data technologies, data strategies, self-service analytics, data sensing, monetization, connectivityTakeawaysTransitioning from a technical role to a leadership position requires casting off the label of being solely a technologist and developing a well-rounded skill set.Partnerships and collaboration are crucial within a big company to foster an entrepreneurial spirit and drive innovation.Integrating the human element in technology roles is essential for creating a more holistic and productive work environment.Testing is a critical aspect of software development and data pipelines, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of systems.While AI may automate certain tasks, developers will still play a vital role in managing change and ensuring the quality of data inputs.Data projects require a focus on high-quality data and the ability to deliver complete data sets, with the potential for a shift in roles and a growing industry. Data teams and traditional developer teams share similarities in the importance of understanding the end user and the business needs.Legacy systems pose challenges in data projects, requiring a balance between maintaining historical data and modernizing the technology stack.Agility is crucial in data management, allowing for efficient decision-making and avoiding bottlenecks.AI and generative interfaces have the potential to revolutionize data technology, enabling more fluid and intuitive interactions.The decision-making process for choosing data technologies and strategies should consider the full picture, including legacy systems and future scalability.The biggest opportunities in data for companies include self-service analytics, leveraging more data sources, monetization, and improving connectivity.TitlesThe Future of Data ProjectsThe Impact of AI on Developers The Importance of Agility in Data ManagementThe Biggest Opportunities in Data for CompaniesSound Bites"Getting rid of the technology, you're a technology person, that I think is the biggest hurdle.""The easiest thing in the world to do is to pick up the keyboard and write some code. That is like an escape route to feeling productive.""Go and organize another meeting afterwards and could we, could I really help you with that and give you what you need there.""You start to need data and you start to spot that you need data, probably in finance, it's pretty common. Marketing is pretty common.""If you can imagine what the business needs, if you speak to the people in the business, if you are much more connected with the question and the person, well your analytics is going to be an awful lot better.""You're never really on the new version of data, you're always there."Chapters00:00Introduction and Journey from Developer to CEO03:12Partnerships and Collaboration in a Big Company06:14Integrating the Human Element in Technology Roles09:28The Importance of Testing in Software Development and Data Pipelines13:23The Impact of AI on Developers23:29Challenges and Differences: Data Teams vs. Traditional Developer Teams25:13Legacy Systems and the Balancing Act in Data Projects30:07The Importance of Agility in Data Management33:11The Potential of AI and Generative Interfaces in Data Technology39:17Choosing Data Technologies and Strategies: Considering the Full Picture42:52The Biggest Opportunities in Data for Companies
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    45 mins
  • S01E02 - Getting Personal About Software Development - Rikard Ottosson

    S01E02 - Getting Personal About Software Development - Rikard Ottosson
    May 16 2024

    Summary

    In this conversation, Dave and Rikard discuss various topics related to personal struggles, changes in the workplace, agile methodologies, servant leadership, toxic people, work-life balance, tech debt, pair programming, and the need for regulation in the software development industry.


    Takeaways

    • The workplace has undergone significant changes, moving from command and control leadership to more agile and fluid ways of working.
    • Servant leadership is important, but many organizations claim to practice it without truly understanding or implementing it effectively.
    • Tech debt is a common challenge in software development, and it requires deliberate efforts to address and reduce it.
    • Pair programming can be a valuable practice for improving collaboration, knowledge sharing, and code quality.
    • The software development industry may benefit from some form of regulation or accreditation to ensure competency and accountability.

    Sound Bites

    • "Life is what it does. You have death and loss and whatever, but you kind of have to get on with it."
    • "Everyone claims they're agile, but no one can actually tell you how they're being agile."
    • "Everyone claims they do servant leadership, but I think 80% of people are doing it wrong."
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    43 mins
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