So you messed up
Everyone breaks production eventually. This guide walks through how to take responsibility, communicate with your team, and make real improvements after something goes wrong. A must-watch for engineering managers and developers.
Ideas
When don't you need a fractional CTO
Does every startup need an interim CTO? Fractional CTOs can accelerate growth and solve complex challenges—when brought in at the right time. Learn when it’s too early, too risky, or simply not the right fit for your business.
AI overdose: When developers stop thinking and start prompting
AI tools are reshaping how junior engineers approach problems, often replacing simple solutions with overly complex ones. Here’s why foundational thinking still matters. A real-life case of AI over-engineering gone wrong highlights why understanding problem domains still beats prompting.
Eliminating SPOFs: the importance of documentation
Single points of failure (SPOF) in startups lead to lost revenue, delays, and investor concerns. Building a documentation culture early reduces risk and ensures scalability.
These small dopamine hits
Some tasks are a slow grind, like simmering a big meal that takes hours to come together. Others are quick and satisfying—tiny fixes that deliver an instant hit of progress, like a little dopamine boost to keep you going.
Why engineers need a voice in the roadmap
A great product roadmap balances business goals with technical sustainability. Ignoring engineering input leads to technical debt and bottlenecks that slow growth. In this video, we discuss how SaaS teams can integrate engineering priorities into the roadmap for long-term success.
Why you shouldn't let customers pay for features
Selling bespoke features to customers might seem profitable, but it changes your SaaS business model. Instead of a scalable product, you become a service provider, stuck maintaining one-off features. Learn why this approach is risky and how to build for long-term success.
The hidden cost of API migrations
Forced API migrations without a rollback plan? That’s how businesses lose trust—and money.
🌶️ Death by a 1000 tweaks: the absurdity of maintaining your own UI library
The best products aren’t built by obsessing over pixels but by delivering real value. Without a clear UI framework, teams drown in design tweaks instead of shipping features.
Taming a Python: don't let the snake bite
Adapting to a new tech stack is all about mindset. Switching from PHP to Python was an eye-opener. Package management confusion, unexpected paradigms, and a lack of encapsulation made for an interesting challenge. Embracing constraints is the secret to growth.
There is a time and place for everything: managed services vs DIY
Should you avoid managed services to prevent lock-in? Maybe. However, spending months reinventing infrastructure instead of shipping features is a bigger risk. Balance is key. Know the trade-offs, understand the costs, and make decisions based on your reality.
How to start growing talent in-house
Startups thrive on rapid growth, but when it comes to scaling talent, they often hit a wall. Enterprise-style feedback systems sound great—until they become a productivity sink. So how can you build structured talent development without overcomplicating things?
Bridging the gap: how front-end engineers can help shape product development in smaller teams
In small teams, front-end engineers can bridge gaps in product clarity by refining goals, collaborating effectively, and using flexible tools to deliver features efficiently.
Finding your North Star Metric
Scaling a startup is exciting—but chaotic. Teams often chase different priorities, leading to silos and lost focus. A North Star Metric can realign everyone around what matters most. Curious about how this works?
Exploring LLM Options: Proprietary vs. Open Source
AI can be challenging. We break down three AI integration tiers—proprietary models, open-source solutions, and custom-built systems—to help you choose the right approach. From quick MVPs to scalable solutions, discover how to leverage AI effectively for your product.