Thoughts on (Modern?) Software Development - Observations From a 21-Year Journey

(This is a hands-on lab with limited capacity)

„If someone is taking a journey, he (or she) can tell a story. Therefore I would take my staff and hat and would choose to travel.“ (Matthias Claudius, 1740-1815)

The present extended and interactive talk was designed with exactly this, 1000-times heard (and slightly updated), German proverb in the back of the mind. It summarizes the gist of 20+ years in the software development business and outlines what the presenter identified as relevant for a productive and thriving survival out there in „the wild“.

The extended 120 minute interactive talk format is designed to let the audience interrupt at any time in order to discuss and/or challenge the talk’s ideas and contents. Goal is to foster an exchange of perspectives related to the business of „(Modern?) Software Development“. The talk covers:

1.) Characteristics of software development (aka „the complex environment“) 2.) What is experience and how do you gain it? (aka „the Dreyfus learning model“) 3.) Cognitive biases and factors of influence related to the software development process 4.) The gist of software development: „Precision, guess work, unreliable data and questionable knowledge“ 5.) Observations on humans that code and Hype Driven Development (including the current hype of AI) 6.) (Almost) Eternal & current challenges of software development 7.) Technology & tools

The main takeaway after a whirlwind ride through 20+ years in the business: „Software development is significantly more than ‚simply’ writing code.“

Prerequisites

Only curiosity and willingness to discuss (Modern?) Software Development.