10 Early Warning Signs of a Failing Vendor or Product

“It’s a fact of business life that technology vendors sometimes go out of business or sunset their products. Over the years, we’ve found a failing vendor or open-source project will exhibit telltale signs. By identifying these signs” early, you can dramatically mitigate your risk, by, for example, timely replacement of the vendor. First, the author…

Read More

11 Leadership Practices That Could Sink Your Software Project

Software development projects can be foiled by management practices that seem sound in theory but rarely pay off when developing code. These seemingly sound practices make general business sense, but we should avoid “going all in on them” when developing software products or catastrophe may ensue. The author presents 11 management beliefs / truisms /…

Read More

13 Signs Your Software Project May be Doomed

“Sometimes, it’s true, the best laid programming plans go astray with no warnings, but more often than not, a doomed ending is all too obvious to anyone paying close attention along the way.” This article packs a baker’s dozen of warning signs for management of likely software project failure, including: Shifts in management support Programmers…

Read More

25 Communication Skills Every Tech Manager Needs

Of all the skills you need to be successful as a tech manager, effective communication is perhaps the most important–and often the hardest to improve. This is because communication is actually a diverse, complex set of skills that build upon one another. Explore the wide range of skills needed and expand your abilities: from writing…

Read More

Effective Communication Skills in Software Engineering

Clear, concise communication is fundamental to the success of software engineering teams as well as individual developers’ careers.  Although clear communication may not be immediately recognized as a top priority by coders, being able to communicate effectively with other coders, technical and business management, users, and other stakeholders is a key ingredient for team and…

Read More

Public Speaking for Software Developers

Take this virtual public speaking masterclass for developers to build your public speaking abilities. This series of videos teaches developers both why being an effective public speaker is important for technology focused engineers, as well as how to do it. Watch them here.

Read More

10 Ways to Succeed in Software Public Relations

Software public relations is becoming increasingly important in the very crowded technology marketplace. Without a strong PR presence, it’s impossible for software providers to gain traction and establish themselves as thought leaders in their fields. More than ever, success in software public relations demands finesse, expertise and a keen understanding of the most effective tactics…

Read More

Business School for Engineers at RailsConf 2021

The former Director of Engineering at The Gnar, Kevin Murphy, spoke at RailsConf 2021. The talk, which is cleverly described to the audience as an “accelerated MBA program for software engineers”, is titled “Engineering MBA: Be the Boss of Your Own Work”. The presentation touches on several business concepts and explains not only how different…

Read More

Communication Culture at the Gnar

Communication means sink or swim in consulting Thanks to technology, we have more ways to communicate than at any other time in history. But I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that the average exchange has often become more difficult, burdensome, and ineffective. A person need only look at the ubiquitous comment section of…

Read More