Dependency Roulette: How One Tiny Update Took Down Production
Third-party dependencies are a double-edged sword—convenient until they suddenly break everything. Here’s a real-world incident from our collection that perfectly illustrates this risk.The Setup: How We Managed Python DependenciesWe use the pretty standard and simple…
Are AI-powered Tools Replacing Developers?
As OpenAI works to enhance ChatGPT, adding new functionalities and capabilities with each iteration, other large language models (LLMs) are springing up. Many are hot on the heels of ChatGPT, striving to revolutionise various industries.…
How to Write a Project Brief
Writing a project brief is a crucial step in ensuring the success of any project. It serves as a foundational document that outlines the project’s objectives, scope, and key details. A well-crafted project brief helps…
Demo Meetings: The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread
According to the seventh principle of Agile development, “working software is the primary measure of progress.”Before this revolutionary ideal, however, although customers could still in theory be kept informed on the status of their projects,…
The Case of the Disappearing Files in AWS Lambda
Ah, the joys of cloud computing! Our FinTech project, bustling with activity, had us working extensively with files on AWS S3 and Google Cloud Storage. From PDFs containing insurance information to ancient fixed-length formats from…
Four Inconvenient Truths About Product Development
According to a study by the McKinsey Global Institute, the failure rate for new product launches ranges from 25% to 45%, with the consumer goods industry experiencing the highest failure rate of around 45% (‘Reviving…
One Step Away from Embarrassment
The Integration GigThis is yet another story when incommunicado modus operandi leads to broken builds, shattered dreams, and embarrassment.A FinTech business had several teams working on its automated platform: a dedicated team provided by SPG,…
What Affects a Project Schedule: A Load Balancing Story
Part 1. This Is Not the Load Balancer You’re Looking For…When assessing the scope of a new project, we always do our best to estimate the required level of effort as accurately as we possibly…
P3 Express: A Minimalist and Practical Framework
Effectively managing software projects is no easy feat. It requires discipline, coordination, and bucketloads of determination. Yet this is only made more difficult when paired with an inadequate project management framework. To complicate matters even…
Software Optimisation and Performance Profiling
How to Deal with Performance Problems in Software DevelopmentAs most readers are probably aware, software optimisation is essential to maintaining well-functioning software products, but this can also vary considerably depending on your product’s individual requirements.…