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Scott Gudeman

I'm a educator, maker, and blogger who loves to talk about philosophy, technology, and personal development. Subscribe to my newsletter.

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Track and Improve Your Kanban Game

Kanban Unleashed Time to implement. From strategies to reality. Kanban drives consistency with visual tools and limits, while cadence flows naturally in pull systems. Forget Scrum’s exhausting timeboxes. Focus on continuous improvement. This final piece covers rollout, metrics, and case studies. For software leaders building top teams: Measure wins. Learn from others. Scale your success. Let’s close strong. Kanban originated in manufacturing, but it truly shines in software development. Teams...

Cadence That Wins Software teams often struggle with chaotic workflows. Tasks pile up without clear priorities. Deadlines slip because of constant interruptions. This leads to burnout and missed goals. Kanban offers a way out by focusing on flow and visibility. But without consistency and proper cadences, even Kanban can fall short. In this article, we explore strategies to build that consistency. We draw from proven practices to set rhythms that keep your team moving. These steps help...

The Power of Consistency and Cadence in Turbulent Times Dive into 2025’s fast-paced software world, where teams face AI disruptions, remote work chaos, and constant priority shifts. Consistency builds trust and steady habits to keep everyone aligned. Cadence creates a natural rhythm for workflows without rigid deadlines. Adopt Kanban-style approaches to emphasize continuous flow over Scrum’s pressured timeboxes. Avoid “death march” sprints that cause burnout. Instead, visualize work and limit...

Make Decisions Fast In the fast-paced world of software development, indecision can stall projects and frustrate teams. I learned this lesson early in my career. When I was in university, I worked for dining services to earn money between classes. It seemed odd since some of that cash likely came from my tuition. But after a semester on the buffet line, I got promoted to student manager, or shift supervisor. One trainer gave me advice that stuck. He said something like, “Make a fucking...

Customizing DSDM as Your Agile Starting Point Software leaders know the drill. You need agility that fits your team like a custom suit. Not off-the-rack methods that chafe. Enter DSDM, the Dynamic Systems Development Method. It offers a solid base with user focus and on-time delivery. But the real magic happens when you customize it. Tailor it to your company’s needs, and watch innovation soar. This article shows how starting with DSDM can help build a framework that empowers teams. We’ll...

The Hidden Pitfalls of DSDM Software teams chase agility like it’s the holy grail. Dynamic Systems Development Method, or DSDM, steps up with big promises. It claims to guarantee on-time delivery, high user involvement, and solid business value. But hold on. Many leaders jump in without seeing the cracks. This article pulls back the curtain on DSDM’s real issues. We’ll explore its claims, break down the drawbacks, and offer better paths forward. If you’re building teams in 2025, you need to...

The Power of Empathy in Leadership In the high-stakes world of software development, leaders often chase metrics, deadlines, and code quality. But what if the real game-changer is empathy? Empathy means truly understanding your team’s feelings and perspectives, which helps build stronger bonds in tech teams. As technology evolves with AI and remote work, empathetic leaders stand out by creating spaces where people can thrive. This article explores why empathy matters, shares practical...

Burnout Unmasked - Part 4: Recovering Burnout leaves deep scars. From my double snaps in crunch and over-engineering, I know the wreckage all too well. Fatalism, cynicism, and lost drive linger long after. But a path back exists. It’s not always linear or complete, but it can lead to growth, more empathy, and better boundaries. In Part 4 of this burnout series, I reflect on my ongoing recovery. We’ll explore possible paths, backed by 2025 stats showing effective strategies cut turnover by...

Burnout Unmasked - Part 3: Over-Engineering Over-engineering. It masquerades as brilliance in software. Add layers, patterns, and abstractions to “future-proof” everything. But it’s often a trap. Pointless complexity bloats projects, frustrates teams, and breaks spirits. It snapped me the second time, erasing my patience for nonsense and making me direct about bad designs. In Part 3 of this burnout series, I detail my second break from a nightmare architect’s mess. We’ll unpack...

Burnout Unmasked - Part 2: Crunch Crunch time. It sounds like a badge of honor in tech. Rally the team, push through deadlines, and save the project. But behind that glory lies a hidden destroyer. Overtime without recovery breaks people. It broke me, turning a dedicated engineer into a fatalistic leader who now fights tooth and nail for team protection. In Part 2 of this burnout series, I share my first real snap from crunch on a client project. We’ll explore its toll on developers, backed by...