DP898_S25E23 Developer Career Growth- Breaking Through Stagnation
Posted on Building Better Developers With AI

Developer Career Growth: Breaking Through Stagnation

The Building Better Developers with AI podcast continues its season of revisiting past episodes with fresh insights. In this discussion, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit the classic topic of breaking through career plateaus and reframe it through the lens of developer career growth. The original episode shared practical strategies for accelerating progress. This version adds AI-driven perspectives, personal stories, and a reminder that developers must be intentional about growth in a rapidly evolving industry. Recognizing Developer Career Growth Roadblocks Career plateaus are rarely obvious. Instead, they surface gradually through symptoms like: As Rob explains, being “comfortable” often means you’re falling behind. In technology, a developer’s career growth demands continuous movement forward. If you haven’t challenged yourself in six months,... Read more

DP897_S25E22 Developer Performance Made Easy- Smart Strategies to Get More Done Daily
Posted on Building Better Developers With AI

Developer Performance Made Easy: Smart Strategies to Get More Done Daily

In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit another one of their popular topics: developer performance. Originally explored in the episode “Supercharge Your Focus and Productivity – Expert Tips for Success,” the discussion now receives an AI-powered refresh, bringing new insights into how developers can enhance their output, sustain energy, and prevent burnout. Why Developer Performance Is Harder Than Ever Distractions have only increased since the original discussion. Slack messages, meetings, and endless browser tabs compete for attention. As Rob points out, context switching drains productivity, and remote work piles on additional interruptions. The bottom line? Sustained developer performance is more challenging than ever, and it requires intentional strategies to conserve time... Read more

DP896_S25E21 Revisiting “Done” in Agile- Why a Clear Definition Matters More Than You Think
Posted on Building Better Developers With AI

Revisiting “Done” in Agile: Why a Clear Definition Matters More Than You Think

In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit their earlier discussion on defining ‘done’ in Agile – how to stay on Track and Avoid Scope Creep. They explain why “done” must mean more than “I finished coding,” and they show how a shared Definition of Done (DoD) keeps teams aligned and projects on schedule. What Does “Done” Really Mean? In Agile, “Done” extends beyond writing code. It often includes: Without a clear, documented DoD, each team member may interpret “done” differently. As a result, projects risk rework, delays, and frustration. “If we ask, ‘Is it done?’ we should get a clear yes or no—no ‘sort of’ or ‘almost.’” – Rob Broadhead Why Ambiguity Leads... Read more

DP895_S25E20 Scope Creep Explained- Causes, Consequences, and How to Prevent It
Posted on Building Better Developers With AI

Scope Creep Explained: Causes, Consequences, and How to Prevent It

In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit one of the most persistent challenges in software projects: scope creep. Using AI prompts, we revisit a past episode on “Mastering Scope Creep: Navigating the Hidden Challenges in Software Development.” In that discussion, we explored what scope creep is, why it happens, and how to prevent it from stalling projects, draining teams, and eroding trust. Today, we’re building on that conversation with fresh insights and practical strategies. Listen to the full episode for more real-world stories and practical strategies to keep your projects on track. What Is Scope Creep? Scope creep occurs when requirements change after development begins—often without proper planning or agreement. Rob describes... Read more

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