A build is a central component of every software project. The term “build” means different things, depending on what programming language you’re using, but generally when developers talk about a build, they mean: A build is a set of pre-defined, coordinated steps that creates a working, tested and deployable instance of an application. Builds can […]
How to Find Software Contractors
This is the second in a series of articles on hiring and working with software contractors. In the first article, we talked about the economics of contract software development. In this article we’re going to cover how you find and hire a contractor. The process described in this post, if followed, will save you many, many headaches and lots […]
First What, Then How – How to Not Give In to the Sunk Cost Fallacy
One of the hardest decisions a leader has to make when building a product is to evaluate all of the options of how it should be built and make the best choice. It is still more difficult when there is a legacy product or significant time and money has been invested to date and you’re […]
How Continuous Integration Helps Your Product Win
“All I Do is Win Win Win, No Matter What What What” – DJ Khaled At some point in a meeting with your developers, you’ll probably hear them talking about Continuous Integration, or CI. It’ll sound something like “We really need a CI server for our builds. We need to set up our project on […]
Using Core Product Loop to Focus Your Product Development
What’s the part of your app that you have to nail? Have you thought about your app this way? I’m not talking about MVPs. This is even more granular than an MVP. Within your MVP, what’s the thing that, if you get it right, is the key to successful growth? Core Product Loop That thing […]
Happy Thanksgiving!
Yesterday was Thanksgiving here in the US, and I’m enjoying the holiday with my family. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who reads my posts, follows me on various social platforms, and takes the time to give me feedback or help me get better at what I do. I’ve realized this year, […]
The Economics of Contract Software Development
As you’re building your tech product, you’re at some point going to have the opportunity to hire contract developers to either augment your current team or perhaps even to be your primary team. Before you jump in to a relationship with a contracting firm, you need to understand the economics of the relationship. For this […]
Do You Know Where Your Stuff Is?
If your developer left today and you hired their replacement, could you tell them where all of your source code and other digital assets are? You know, all those things you’re paying thousands of dollars for? Furthermore, would you know how to disable access for the newly departed and grant it for your new hire? […]
How to Survive Your CTO Leaving
I had a call the other day with the CEO of a fast-growing company on the west coast. He was really struggling with a delicate situation involving his CTO, who was a co-founder. The CTO was transitioning out of the business by mutual consent, and they had hired his replacement. However, the transition was dragging […]
How to Grow Time on Trees
“Automation is to time as compound interest is to money” – Rory Vaden I heard this quote the other day and I was like “Oh man. That’s brilliant. I need to share this with everyone.” There is NOTHING more valuable in building momentum with a development project than automating that which can and should be […]