product roadmap
Posted on Become a Better Developer

Building A Product Roadmap – Challenges and Suggestions

We always find ways to improve on our software creations.  This struggle can prove to be a distraction and even detrimental to releasing an application.  To combat those challenges and plan our releases, we can build a product roadmap.  The map gives us a plan for the current version while allowing us to track ideas we want to save for later. A Product Roadmap As Best Practice The value of a product roadmap should not be lost on you.  Some customers and vendors will want to see your roadmap.  The presence of one shows that you have thought through your efforts.  It points to the product as a living and evolving one while proving that the implementation effort included constraint.  Too much... Read more

business knowledge
Posted on Become a Better Developer

Increase Your Value Through Business Knowledge

We have focused a lot on the technical aspects of an IT career.  However, the business (or businesses) you work in is a significant factor in your journey to a better developer.  Let me correct that statement.  It is not the business you are in as much as it is your understanding of the related opportunities and challenges. The Goal Is Solving Problems I know we keep returning to this.  However, it is once again relevant.  You are in a line of business or potentially multiples of those.  That will color your experience and the challenges you face.  Thus, a developer that been working on finance applications will have a different set of skills than one in healthcare.  The language and... Read more

develpreneur podcast
Posted on Podcast

Developing Automation – Avoiding The Brute-Force Solution

We can code for a quick solution, or we can focus on developing automation for the same.  There are times when we stumble across the latter while concentrating on the former.  However, it is better to focus on automating the solution.  This approach is not science, but the steps can help you overcome obstacles when you hit a brick wall. Steps For Developing Automation It is critical to understand that a process must be well-defined before we can begin work on automation.  Therefore, it is worth our time to gather all of the requirements.  Once we have collected those, we can work on a general solution.  If that is too big a step, then start with a simple, specific answer... Read more

Posted on Podcast

Fun With Puzzles and Problem-Solving

It may seem odd, but one of the great things to embrace in life is puzzles.  Whether you prefer crosswords, sudoku or any of the other puzzles out there, they can all provide more than a fun past-time. Stay Sharp The first benefit of puzzles and mental challenges is that they help you stay sharp.  This may seem like just more work.  However, one of the keys to good health is keeping mentally healthy.  There are a lot of positive side effects of good mental health, and that includes things like a general sense of well-being.  It even makes you more likely to be happy. Although there are a lot of apps that you can use to scratch your puzzle itch,... Read more

Posted on Podcast

Learn From Others (Before Becoming an Entrepreneur)

One of the attributes of a successful entrepreneur is a sense for what not to do.  They still take risks, but the successful ones are either very lucky or have a good set of business skills.  These skills can be learned but experience is often the best teacher.  That is why those that are successful find a way to learn from others in prior jobs as an employee. One Step At A Time The idea of being an entrepreneur is in fashion.  It has become a dream of many people that want to emulate after seeing the success stories of silicon valley unicorns.  These young entrepreneurs are more successful when they go out into the business world before starting their... Read more

improve technical skills
Posted on Become a Better Developer

Improve Technical Skills Through Practice

All skills have a combination of natural talent, effort, and experience.  Technical skills are no different.  You can improve professional skills by practicing them in your daily responsibilities.  Yes, you should take advantage of this, and you likely have little say in this form of practice.  On the other hand, you can focus on becoming a better developer through intentional efforts to improve your problem-solving skills as well. Practice Makes Perfect There are two common ways to practice your problem-solving skills.  One works with new code and one with prior problems solved.  For new issues, take some time to think through them without referring to notes or previous examples of your work.  This step will at least help you get better... Read more