DP894_s25E19 Pivot Now- Developer Strategies to Stay Relevant
Posted on Building Better Developers With AI

Pivot Now: Developer Strategies to Stay Relevan

In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit the theme of using the pivot—the skill of embracing change in software development. Reframing a prior episode “Pivoting – How to Embrace Change and Fuel Your Professional Growth” using AI-generated prompts, the hosts explore how developers can navigate career shifts, respond to market signals, and avoid burnout. What Does It Mean to Pivot? A pivot is a strategic change in direction—not a failure. Whether it’s shifting from front-end to AI, or moving from software dev to project management, a pivot is about refining your path with the benefit of experience. “Pivoting is not quitting. It’s evolving based on feedback, clarity, and vision.” Rob explains... Read more

DP893_S25E18 Building Customer Success, Not Just Support
Posted on Building Better Developers With AI

How to Build Customer Success That Drives Real Results (Not Just Support)

In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche delve into the often-overlooked yet crucial topic of customer success. Revisiting a previous episode, “Customer Success – Delivering value on a budget,” with AI’s help, they reframe how developers and founders can deliver long-term value—even on a limited budget. “Customer success isn’t optional—it’s how you grow sustainably.” Unlike reactive customer support, customer success is a proactive mindset. It ensures that what you build helps users meet their goals, reduce friction, and ultimately drive business results—for both them and you. The Key Difference: Support Reacts. Success Delivers. Many developers conflate customer support with customer success, but they serve very different roles: Callout: “When you build for success,... Read more

DP892_S25E17 Evolving from Coder to Developer- What You Need to Know
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Evolving from Coder to Developer: What You Need to Know

In this episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit one of their most foundational topics: evolving from coder to developer. Explored initially in the “Skill Sets for Success” episode, this updated discussion is guided by fresh talking points generated via ChatGPT—though the core theme remains the same: how to grow from a task-focused coder into a solution-oriented developer. Understanding the Shift: From Coder to Developer At the heart of this episode is the distinction between coders and developers. Michael emphasizes that evolving from coder to developer is about ownership. Developers consider reusability, maintainability, and long-term value. They don’t just write code—they build tools that scale and adapt. 💡 A coder focuses on completion. A... Read more

DP891_S25E16 How to Use User Stories in Software Development for Better Results
Posted on Building Better Developers With AI

How to Use User Stories in Software Development for Better Results

In this episode of Building Better Developers, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit their earlier topic from “User Stories Unveiled – A Developer’s Guide to Capturing the Full Narrative.” They add structure and talking points—some suggested by ChatGPT—but the real focus remains on how to effectively use user stories in software development. At their core, user stories help teams communicate purpose and intent. They turn generic requirements into actionable, testable narratives that align with real-world needs. The Power of Story: A Proven Format for Software Success User stories follow a simple but powerful structure: As a [user], I want [feature], so that [benefit]. This format helps everyone—from developers to stakeholders—understand what’s needed and why. For instance: As a customer, I... Read more

DP890_S25E15 Requirements Matter-Building Software Right from the Start
Posted on Building Better Developers With AI

Requirements Matter: Building Software Right from the Start

Far too many software projects crash not because of poor coding, but because of poor planning. In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore why requirements matter more than ever. They dive deep into the foundational role that clearly defined, testable, and outcome-focused requirements play in delivering successful software projects. With insights drawn from hands-on experience and AI-generated discussion points, the episode uncovers how misaligned expectations and incomplete planning can derail even the most promising initiatives. Whether you’re a developer, product manager, or founder, this conversation reminds us that getting it right starts well before a line of code is written. Why Requirements Matter in Software Development Rob and Michael begin by revisiting... Read more

DP889_S25E14 The Power of Documentation-How to Code Smarter, Faster
Posted on Building Better Developers With AI

The Power of Documentation: How to Code Smarter, Faster

In this episode of the Building Better Developers with AI podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit a popular past topic: the power of documentation. Instead of repeating the same points, they used ChatGPT to surface fresh talking points and spark a new conversation. This wasn’t about using AI to generate documentation, but using it to revisit, reflect, and dive deeper into the value of documenting your development work. The result is a renewed appreciation for one of the most overlooked parts of software development—and how to make it better. The Power of Documentation: Why We Resist, But Still Need It “Good documentation might not get noticed—but bad or missing documentation definitely will.” Most developers avoid documentation. It’s viewed as:... Read more