Better Software, Happier Teams: A Modern Engineering Manifesto
I champion modern software engineering and call for better ways of working that drive higher performance and healthier, happier teams.
Software engineering is often misunderstood – some equate it with suffocating bureaucracy, others with just writing code – but both views miss the mark. True engineering is practical and efficient, focused on what works to deliver value. It's time to defend this truth: by embracing modern ways of working, we can deliver better software and build stronger, happier teams.
My mission is rooted in this belief. With nearly two decades in the industry and consulting across finance, healthcare, retail, and more, I have seen how modern practices ignite performance – and how outdated processes breed frustration and burnout. There is a better way.
Learning, Fast Flow, and Rapid Feedback
At the core of my approach are three capabilities: continuous learning, fast flow, and rapid feedback. These DevOps-inspired principles help teams adapt quickly and continuously improve:
Continuous Learning: Cultivate a culture where experimentation and learning from failure are encouraged. Modern engineers optimize for discovery and design, knowing the real challenge is solving the right problem – not just churning out code.
Fast Flow: Streamline delivery pipelines for speed and quality. By reducing batch sizes, eliminating bottlenecks, and automating everything from builds to deployments, teams deliver value faster and more reliably. High performers prove you don’t have to trade speed for stability – with quality built in, you get both.
Rapid Feedback: Amplify feedback loops at every level. From automated tests providing instant alerts to monitoring in production, fast feedback catches issues early and keeps teams on track. It’s the engine of continuous improvement.
Data-Driven Improvement and the DORA Model
I champion evidence-based improvement, drawing on the DevOps Research and Assessment (DORA) Core Model. By leveraging data and DORA’s four key metrics, teams gain visibility into how they work and where to improve.
DORA research shows that the same practices enabling fast, stable releases also drive better business outcomes and team well-being. Adopting continuous delivery and DevOps automation doesn’t just improve IT performance – it makes the organization more resilient, with less burnout. I use these insights to show that investing in modern engineering means investing in both people and results.
Mindset Shifts and Practical Practices
True transformation isn’t only about tools and pipelines – it’s about mindset. I help catalyze shifts like breaking down silos and building shared responsibility, encouraging experimentation over fear, and guiding leaders to empower teams instead of imposing processes.
Yet mindset alone isn’t enough – it must be paired with action. I guide teams in adopting modern software engineering practices – from test-driven development and trunk-based versioning to Infrastructure as Code and continuous delivery. Adopted iteratively, these techniques deliver quick wins: deployments go from painful to routine, features launch in days instead of months, and teams spend more time innovating than firefighting.
Continual Experimentation and Thought Leadership
I don’t just preach modern practices – I live them. I continuously experiment, learn, and hone my craft. Whether exploring new testing methods, refining CI/CD techniques, or studying emerging architecture patterns, I stay on the cutting edge and share what I learn with the community.
Influenced by luminaries like Dave Farley, Nicole Forsgren, Simon Wardley, and Kent Beck, I carry forward their wisdom in an approachable way. Farley’s principle that software engineering is an empirical, scientific approach to solving practical problems guides me, and Forsgren’s evidence that culture and technical excellence drive performance reinforces my focus on building great teams alongside great software.
A Manifesto for Better Software and Happier Teams
My message is that better ways of working are possible, necessary, and urgent. Modern software engineering isn’t a buzzword – it’s a professional, humane approach that delivers value faster and strengthens organizations. By championing these practices, I help companies escape legacy drudgery and unlock innovation.
Performance and people go hand in hand. When teams work with flow, feedback, and continuous learning, they not only excel – they thrive. Software becomes easier to change, businesses adapt faster, and engineers end their days with pride, not frustration. This is the future I fight for: high-performing tech organizations that never sacrifice employee well-being, because thriving people build the best products.
This is the ethos I bring to every engagement: it’s not just about writing code – it’s about rewriting the way we work for the better.