Field notes
Expert opinions. Independent views.
Real experiences from operators building with AI in the SDLC, including what worked, what failed, and what changed. We freely give our content. Our only requirement is that you attribute it to here.
By Norman and Nathan — practitioners who build production software with AI agents.
Articles
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The Engineers Who Can’t Use AI Agents Don’t Have a Tools Problem
Executive Deck ↗Your engineers struggling with AI agents don't need better tools or training. They need permission to work differently and the organizational barriers removed that punish speed.
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Developer, Development & Programming, Director, Industry & Business, Industry Research, Leadership, ManagerExploring Developer Happiness in the AI-SDLC
Executive Deck ↗Exploring what developer happiness looks like when AI handles the tedious work. Research and insights on the emotional side of AI adoption.
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You Cannot Read Yourself Into AI-SDLC Literacy
Executive Deck ↗Reading about AI won't make you AI-literate. Only hands-on building will develop the intuition you need to lead. Start tonight.
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Your Questions About AI in the SDLC Reveal Exactly Where You Are in the Adoption Curve—And How to Bridge the Gap Before You Waste a Year
Executive Deck ↗Listen ↗Your questions about AI in the SDLC reveal your adoption maturity level. Diagnose where you are and learn how to accelerate your journey.
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Gen AI in the SDLC Is Infrastructure Now—And Every One of Your Engineers Picked Their Own
Executive Deck ↗Listen ↗Gen AI in the SDLC is now infrastructure, not innovation. But every engineer picked their own stack. Here's why that's a governance problem.
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Waste Density vs Value Density: Managing the Emotions of Your Board with Real Economics
Executive Deck ↗Listen ↗Learn to communicate AI value to your board using waste density vs. value density. Move beyond emotional arguments to real economics.
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AI Implementation, CxO, Developer, Development & Programming, Director, Frameworks, Leadership, ManagerGoodnight to Epics, Stories and Features: A Feature A Day is the New Normal
Executive Deck ↗Listen ↗The sprint is dead. AI-native teams ship features daily, not fortnightly. Learn how to adapt your agile processes for the new velocity.
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Your Best Salesperson Didn’t Pick Salesforce. Your Best Engineer Shouldn’t Pick Their AI.
Executive Deck ↗Listen ↗Your best engineer shouldn't pick their AI tools any more than your best salesperson picked Salesforce. Make AI infrastructure, not individual choice.
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How to Negotiate Your new AI Leadership Comp
Executive Deck ↗Listen ↗Negotiating an AI leadership role? Here's how to structure compensation that reflects your value in transforming engineering organizations.
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Leading AI in the Constraints
Executive Deck ↗Listen ↗Leading AI adoption within enterprise constraints requires political skill. Learn to build bridges, not burn them, while driving real change.
Essential or Ornamental
Three companies. Three choices. One satisfactory ending.
One does nothing. One maps the waste. One bets everything on twelve people in a warehouse.
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