I have been working in software for 17 years, with the past 4 of those years in Management. The majority of my experience is in mobile application development and leading consumer-facing teams.
I am passionate about software professionalism and the role we all play in building a professional industry.
I have hosted a podcast in the past on the topic titled The Rules for Software Development which can be found on the usual places.
I have also written a book on the topic titled Rules for Software Development which you can find on Amazon, Google Play, and Apple Books.
I have led teams of a range of sizes from 3 people to 21 people. I have grown people careers with different skillset from mobile app engineers in Java/Kotlin/Swift, front-end engineers with React, Backend engineers in Java/C#, Quality Engineers, and SRE/Release engineers.
Often a person's career growth is not about technology but about becoming an engineer of software and a people leader.
I have assisted in the growth of junior engineers to higher-levels and of senior engineers to principle levels.
I am a certified life coach with an understanding of how to assist someone to achieve their goals.
My Mentoring Topics
- Career Growth
- Leadership growth
- Mobile Engineering
- Developing Team Culture
- Agile Methodologies
- Software Delivery
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Rules for Software Development - A Book About Professionalism
Andrew Woods
Software engineering isn’t just about writing code. It’s about much much more than that. Rules for Software development presents the reader with a 360° view of what it takes to truly be a professional software engineer. In today’s software industry, being proficient in the development of code is the baseline of a software engineer role. The most prominent engineers are those who understand software principles and patterns and who also understand soft skills and communication. This book will give you insight into - Why you need to say No - How to work with multiple stakeholders - Why micro-changes make a big impact - What technical excellence is expected of you - How to grow your own career A handbook of career-changing advice and insightful real-world experience. - Dr. Jenny Munnelly, Senior Lecturer, Technological University Dublin ....a succinct guide that every software developer must read regardless of programming language or experience - Paul Flanagan, Principal Software Engineer, Danalto ....provides the reader with a road map to longevity and efficacy as a professional in the ever-changing tech industry landscape - Naomi Freeman, CTO Lingu ...an invaluable book for IT professionals - Santiago García da Rosa, CTO, Nowports
ViewThe Phoenix Project - A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win
Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford
***Over a half-million sold! And available now, the Wall Street Journal Bestselling sequel The Unicorn Project*** “Every person involved in a failed IT project should be forced to read this book.”—TIM O'REILLY, Founder & CEO of O'Reilly Media “The Phoenix Project is a must read for business and IT executives who are struggling with the growing complexity of IT.”—JIM WHITEHURST, President and CEO, Red Hat, Inc. Five years after this sleeper hit took on the world of IT and flipped it on it's head, the 5th Anniversary Edition of The Phoenix Project continues to guide IT in the DevOps revolution. In this newly updated and expanded edition of the bestselling The Phoenix Project, co-author Gene Kim includes a new afterword and a deeper delve into the Three Ways as described in The DevOps Handbook. Bill, an IT manager at Parts Unlimited, has been tasked with taking on a project critical to the future of the business, code named Phoenix Project. But the project is massively over budget and behind schedule. The CEO demands Bill must fix the mess in ninety days or else Bill's entire department will be outsourced. With the help of a prospective board member and his mysterious philosophy of The Three Ways, Bill starts to see that IT work has more in common with a manufacturing plant work than he ever imagined. With the clock ticking, Bill must organize work flow streamline interdepartmental communications, and effectively serve the other business functions at Parts Unlimited. In a fast-paced and entertaining style, three luminaries of the DevOps movement deliver a story that anyone who works in IT will recognize. Readers will not only learn how to improve their own IT organizations, they'll never view IT the same way again. “This book is a gripping read that captures brilliantly the dilemmas that face companies which depend on IT, and offers real-world solutions.”—JEZ HUMBLE, Co-author of Continuous Delivery, Lean Enterprise, Accelerate, and The DevOps Handbook
ViewLegacy
James Kerr
When the going gets tough, the tough start changing. Difficult times call for different solutions. In his global bestseller, Legacy, James Kerr goes deep into the heart of the world's most successful team, the New Zealand All Blacks, to help understand what it takes to bounce back from adversity and still reach the top. It is a book about leading a team or an organisation - but, more importantly, about leading a life. The kind of life that you want to lead. In today's volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment, personal leadership has never been more relevant and Legacy goes to the heart of how great leaders - and we are all leaders - 'reboot' and reframe their future. It is a truly life-defining read that addresses the big questions - values, vision, mindset and purpose - that, when answered, build the foundation for resilience, excellence and sustained success. This book will change your life. Champions do extra. They sweep the sheds, follow the spearhead, and keep a blue head. They are good ancestors and plant trees they'll never see.
ViewThe Clean Coder - A Code of Conduct for Professional Programmers
Robert C. Martin
Programmers who endure and succeed amidst swirling uncertainty and nonstop pressure share a common attribute: They care deeply about the practice of creating software. They treat it as a craft. They are professionals. In The Clean Coder: A Code of Conduct for Professional Programmers, legendary software expert Robert C. Martin introduces the disciplines, techniques, tools, and practices of true software craftsmanship. This book is packed with practical advice–about everything from estimating and coding to refactoring and testing. It covers much more than technique: It is about attitude. Martin shows how to approach software development with honor, self-respect, and pride; work well and work clean; communicate and estimate faithfully; face difficult decisions with clarity and honesty; and understand that deep knowledge comes with a responsibility to act. Readers will learn What it means to behave as a true software craftsman How to deal with conflict, tight schedules, and unreasonable managers How to get into the flow of coding, and get past writer’s block How to handle unrelenting pressure and avoid burnout How to combine enduring attitudes with new development paradigms How to manage your time, and avoid blind alleys, marshes, bogs, and swamps How to foster environments where programmers and teams can thrive When to say “No”–and how to say it When to say “Yes”–and what yes really means Great software is something to marvel at: powerful, elegant, functional, a pleasure to work with as both a developer and as a user. Great software isn’t written by machines. It is written by professionals with an unshakable commitment to craftsmanship. The Clean Coder will help you become one of them–and earn the pride and fulfillment that they alone possess.
ViewClean Agile - Back to Basics
Robert Martin
Agile Values and Principles for a New Generation "In the journey to all things Agile, Uncle Bob has been there, done that, and has the both the t-shirt and the scars to show for it. This delightful book is part history, part personal stories, and all wisdom. If you want to understand what Agile is and how it came to be, this is the book for you." -Grady Booch "Bob's frustration colors every sentence of Clean Agile, but it's a justified frustration. What is in the world of Agile development is nothing compared to what could be. This book is Bob's perspective on what to focus on to get to that 'what could be.' And he's been there, so it's worth listening." -Kent Beck "It's good to read Uncle Bob's take on Agile. Whether just beginning, or a seasoned Agilista, you would do well to read this book. I agree with almost all of it. It's just some of the parts make me realize my own shortcomings, darn it. It made me double-check our code coverage (85.09%)." -Jon Kern Nearly twenty years after the Agile Manifesto was first presented, the legendary Robert C. Martin ("Uncle Bob") reintroduces Agile values and principles for a new generation-programmers and nonprogrammers alike. Martin, author of Clean Code and other highly influential software development guides, was there at Agile's founding. Now, in Clean Agile: Back to Basics, he strips away misunderstandings and distractions that over the years have made it harder to use Agile than was originally intended. Martin describes what Agile is in no uncertain terms: a small discipline that helps small teams manage small projects . . . with huge implications because every big project is comprised of many small projects. Drawing on his fifty years' experience with projects of every conceivable type, he shows how Agile can help you bring true professionalism to software development. Get back to the basics-what Agile is, was, and should always be Understand the origins, and proper practice, of SCRUM Master essential business-facing Agile practices, from small releases and acceptance tests to whole-team communication Explore Agile team members' relationships with each other, and with their product Rediscover indispensable Agile technical practices: TDD, refactoring, simple design, and pair programming Understand the central roles values and craftsmanship play in your Agile team's success If you want Agile's true benefits, there are no shortcuts: You need to do Agile right. Clean Agile: Back to Basics will show you how, whether you're a developer, tester, manager, project manager, or customer. Register your book for convenient access to downloads, updates, and/or corrections as they become available. See inside book for details.
ViewDrive - The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
Daniel H. Pink
Forget everything you thought you knew about how to motivate people - at work, at school, at home. It's wrong. As Daniel H. Pink explains in his new and paradigm-shattering book DRIVE: THE SURPRISING TRUTH ABOUT WHAT MOTIVATES US, the secret to high performance and satisfaction in today's world is the deeply human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world. Drawing on four decades of scientific research on human motivation, Pink exposes the mismatch between what science knows and what business does - and how that affects every aspect of our lives. He demonstrates that while the old-fashioned carrot-and-stick approach worked successfully in the 20th century, it's precisely the wrong way to motivate people for today's challenges. In DRIVE, he reveals the three elements of true motivation: AUTONOMY - the desire to direct our own lives; MASTERY - the urge to get better and better at something that matters; PURPOSE - the yearning to do what we do in the service of something larger than ourselves. Along the way, he takes us to companies that are enlisting new approaches to motivation and introduces us to the scientists and entrepreneurs who are pointing a bold way forward. DRIVE is bursting with big ideas - the rare book that will change how you think and transform how you live.
ViewDesign Patterns For Dummies
Steve Holzner
There's a pattern here, and here's how to use it! Find out how the 23 leading design patterns can save you time and trouble Ever feel as if you've solved this programming problem before? You — or someone — probably did, and that's why there's a design pattern to help this time around. This book shows you how (and when) to use the famous patterns developed by the "Gang of Four," plus some new ones, all designed to make your programming life easier. Discover how to: Simplify the programming process with design patterns Make the most of the Decorator, Factory, and Adapter patterns Identify which pattern applies Reduce the amount of code needed for a task Create your own patterns
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Design Patterns
Gang of four
Capturing a wealth of experience about the design of object-oriented software, four top-notch designers present a catalog of simple and succinct solutions to commonly occurring design problems. Previously undocumented, these 23 patterns allow designers to create more flexible, elegant, and ultimately reusable designs without having to rediscover the design solutions themselves. The authors begin by describing what patterns are and how they can help you design object-oriented software. They then go on to systematically name, explain, evaluate, and catalog recurring designs in object-oriented systems. With Design Patterns as your guide, you will learn how these important patterns fit into the software development process, and how you can leverage them to solve your own design problems most efficiently. Each pattern describes the circumstances in which it is applicable, when it can be applied in view of other design constraints, and the consequences and trade-offs of using the pattern within a larger design. All patterns are compiled from real systems and are based on real-world examples. Each pattern also includes code that demonstrates how it may be implemented in object-oriented programming languages like C++ or Smalltalk.
ViewThe Rules of Management - A Definitive Code for Managerial Success
Richard Templar
Managers are expected to be leaders, innovators, magicians, dynamic motivators, stern but fair judges, diplomats, politicians, therapists, financial wizards, warriors, and saints. They must deliver on executive mandates, no matter how crazy. For some people, it's a breeze. They glide effortlessly through the hassles and politics, getting raises, promotions, results. They know the rules of management. Rules for managing a team -- and managingyourself. They're surprisingly easy to learn and live by. Richard Templar has brought them all together in one place: the quick, irreverent The Rules of Management. Templar covers everything from setting realistic targets to holding effective meetings; finding the right people to inspiring loyalty. Learn when and how to let people think they know more than you (even if they don't) -- and recognize when they really do! Discover how to adapt your style to each team member ... get people to bring solutions, not problems ... create your own private game plan for success, complete with Plans "B" and "C" ... capitalize on luck ... manage stress and stay healthy ... get respect ... and take charge.
ViewQuiet - The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Susan Cain
In Quiet, the international bestseller, Susan Cain shows how the brain chemistry of introverts and extroverts differs, and how society misunderstands and undervalues introverts. She gives introverts the tools to better understand themselves and take full advantage of their strengths. Passionately argued, superbly researched, and filled with real stories, Quiet will permanently change how we see introverts - and how you see yourself.
ViewKanban - Successful Evolutionary Change for Your Technology Business
David J. Anderson
Kanban is becoming a popular way to visualize and limit work-in-progress in software development and information technology work. Teams around the world are adding kanban around their existing processes to catalyze cultural change and deliver better business agility. This book answers the questions: What is Kanban? Why would I want to use Kanban? How do I go about implementing Kanban? How do I recognize improvement opportunities and what should I do about them? Published 10 years ago it is in the top 5 agile books ever published.
ViewEMPOWERED - Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products
Marty Cagan
What is it about the top tech product companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Netflix and Tesla that enables their record of consistent innovation? Most people think it’s because these companies are somehow able to find and attract a level of talent that makes this innovation possible. But the real advantage these companies have is not so much who they hire, but rather how they enable their people to work together to solve hard problems and create extraordinary products. As legendary Silicon Valley coach--and coach to the founders of several of today’s leading tech companies--Bill Campbell said, “Leadership is about recognizing that there's a greatness in everyone, and your job is to create an environment where that greatness can emerge.” The goal of EMPOWERED is to provide you, as a leader of product management, product design, or engineering, with everything you’ll need to create just such an environment. As partners at The Silicon Valley Product Group, Marty Cagan and Chris Jones have long worked to reveal the best practices of the most consistently innovative companies in the world. A natural companion to the bestseller INSPIRED, EMPOWERED tackles head-on the reason why most companies fail to truly leverage the potential of their people to innovate: product leadership. The book covers: what it means to be an empowered product team, and how this is different from the “feature teams” used by most companies to build technology products recruiting and coaching the members of product teams, first to competence, and then to reach their potential creating an inspiring product vision along with an insights-driven product strategy translating that strategy into action by empowering teams with specific objectives—problems to solve—rather than features to build redefining the relationship of the product teams to the rest of the company detailing the changes necessary to effectively and successfully transform your organization to truly empowered product teams EMPOWERED puts decades of lessons learned from the best leaders of the top technology companies in your hand as a guide. It shows you how to become the leader your team and company needs to not only survive but thrive.
ViewOutcomes Over Output - Why Customer Behavior is the Key Metric for Business Success
Joshua Seiden
In the old days, when we made physical products, setting project goals wasn't that hard. But in today's service- and software-driven world, "done" is less obvious. When is Amazon done? When is Google done? Or Facebook? In reality, services powered by digital systems are never done. So then how do we give teams a goal that they can work on?Mostly, we simply ask teams to build features--but features are the wrong way to go. We often build features that create no value. Instead, we need to give teams an outcome to achieve. Using outcomes creates focus and alignment. It eliminates needless work. And it puts the customer at the center of everything you do.Setting goals as outcomes sounds simple, but it can be hard to do in practice. This book is a practical guide to using outcomes to guide the work of your team. "Josh's crisp volume brims with insight about how to fly at just the right level - the level of outcomes. If you've ever wondered how M your MVP should be, or how to get more R in your OKRs, this book will help." - Nick Rockwell, CTO, NY Times
ViewBuilding Mobile Apps at Scale - 39 Engineering Challenges
Gergely Orosz
While there is a lot of appreciation for backend and distributed systems challenges, there tends to be less empathy for why mobile development is hard when done at scale. This book collects challenges engineers face when building iOS and Android apps at scale, and common ways to tackle these. By scale, we mean having numbers of users in the millions and being built by large engineering teams. For mobile engineers, this book is a blueprint for modern app engineering approaches. For non-mobile engineers and managers, it is a resource with which to build empathy and appreciation for the complexity of world-class mobile engineering. The book covers iOS and Android mobile app challenges on these dimensions: Challenges due to the unique nature of mobile applications compared to the web, and to the backend. App complexity challenges. How do you deal with increasingly complicated navigation patterns? What about non-deterministic event combinations? How do you localize across several languages, and how do you scale your automated and manual tests? Challenges due to large engineering teams. The larger the mobile team, the more challenging it becomes to ensure a consistent architecture. If your company builds multiple apps, how do you balance not rewriting everything from scratch while moving at a fast pace, over waiting on "centralized" teams? Cross-platform approaches. The tooling to build mobile apps keeps changing. New languages, frameworks, and approaches that all promise to address the pain points of mobile engineering keep appearing. But which approach should you choose? Flutter, React Native, Cordova? Native apps? Reuse business logic written in Kotlin, C#, C++ or other languages? What engineering approaches do "world-class" mobile engineering teams choose in non-functional aspects like code quality, compliance, privacy, compliance, or with experimentation, performance, or app size?
ViewRadical Candor - How to Get What You Want by Saying What You Mean
Kim Scott
Featuring a new preface, afterword and Radically Candid Performance Review Bonus Chapter, the fully revised & updated edition of Radical Candor is packed with even more guidance to help you improve your relationships at work. 'Reading Radical Candor will help you build, lead, and inspire teams to do the best work of their lives.' – Sheryl Sandberg, author of Lean In. If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all . . . right? While this advice may work for home life, as Kim Scott has seen first hand, it is a disaster when adopted by managers in the work place. Scott earned her stripes as a highly successful manager at Google before moving to Apple where she developed a class on optimal management. Radical Candor draws directly on her experiences at these cutting edge companies to reveal a new approach to effective management that delivers huge success by inspiring teams to work better together by embracing fierce conversations. Radical Candor is the sweet spot between managers who are obnoxiously aggressive on the one side and ruinously empathetic on the other. It is about providing guidance, which involves a mix of praise as well as criticism – delivered to produce better results and help your employees develop their skills and increase success. Great bosses have a strong relationship with their employees, and Scott has identified three simple principles for building better relationships with your employees: make it personal, get stuff done, and understand why it matters. Radical Candor offers a guide to those bewildered or exhausted by management, written for bosses and those who manage bosses. Drawing on years of first-hand experience, and distilled clearly to give practical advice to the reader, Radical Candor shows you how to be successful while retaining your integrity and humanity. Radical Candor is the perfect handbook for those who are looking to find meaning in their job and create an environment where people love both their work and their colleagues, and are motivated to strive to ever greater success.
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