Communication

On disagreement, feedback, and the conversations that shape engineering teams.

Rocket labelled DORA, SPACE and DevEx climbing while crumpled lines-of-code printouts fill a bin

Productivity NOV 25, 2023 10 Min Read

How to Measure Developer Productivity Without Counting Lines of Code

Think about measuring developer productivity by considering the decisions you need to make. Choose meaningful metrics like SPACE, DevEx, and DORA, and make sure to balance speed with quality to get the best overall picture.

Read full dispatch

Architect on a glowing bridge linking business strategy charts to code and databases

Engineering NOV 17, 2023 7 Min Read

What Does a Software Architect Really Do?

Ever wondered what a software architect truly does? Let's explore the four roles they are often mistaken for, the elevator metaphor that helps explain their work, and the unwritten requirements they uncover along the way.

Read full dispatch

Confused engineers push questions into a padlocked brain blocking arrows to a shipping rocket

Productivity NOV 11, 2023 7 Min Read

You Hired Three More Engineers. Why Isn't the Team Shipping Faster?

Engineering teams often face slowdowns as they grow, not because of bad hires, but because of valuable tribal knowledge that stays locked in people's minds. Here's what truly keeps teams moving quickly.

Read full dispatch

Line illustration of coworkers arguing around a conference table covered in papers, titled "How to Disagree Respectfully"

Productivity NOV 28, 2022 5 Min Read

The Art of Disagreeing: A Guide to Professional and Productive Discussions

Sometimes you may encounter an argument you disagree with. In this article, I'll show you how to disagree respectfully and constructively, using some simple steps and tips.

Read full dispatch