Category: Posts

2023-05-05

To grow an open source project, give up control

If the project structure shares leadership outside the company, it becomes more appealing to people outside the company.

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2023-05-03

Do release-blocking bugs have to be new?

If a bug existed in previous releases, should it block the upcoming release? There’s a case for “yes” and a case for “no”.

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2023-04-28

The solution isn’t interesting, the problem is

Nobody wants to use a computer. They want to get something done. Focusing on the problem instead of the solution gets you better results.

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2023-04-26

Little ways program managers add value

Some contributions aren’t a make-or-break moment, they’re a way to reduce the friction for contributors and make processes run smoother.

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2023-04-12

Embrace the non-judgmental “why?”

People don’t make bad decisions on purpose. If you understand why a decision was made in the past, you make better decisions for the future.

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2023-04-05

Footnotes and asides are a warning

Overuse of footnotes, commas, em dashes, and parentheses suggest your writing may be unclear. Keeping sentences focused helps your reader.

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2023-03-29

Use a decision log to record context

A decision log is a record that you leave for the future. It shares the context to save time when revisiting a past decision.

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2023-03-22

Words mean things

Choose your words carefully. You want people to discuss the facts, not the wording.

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2023-02-22

What you’re measuring is different from how you measure it

Start with understanding the “why?” behind what you’re trying to measure. Then figure out the measurements, knowing they’ll be imperfect.

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2023-02-08

Write standard operating procedures

When you document how to execute a process, that ensures you’ll do it right the next time. This helps your future self and your successors.

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