Never Rewrite: Software Engineering & AI Coding

In this episode, Isaac Askew and Jeffrey Sherman are joined by Mark Mandau to explore the complex topic of software rewrites. They discuss the reasons behind the decision to rewrite software, the implications of neglecting maintenance, and the risks associated with such a drastic move. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding legacy systems, the role of leadership in decision-making, and the necessity of customer feedback in product development. Mark shares insights on how to approach the topic of rewrites with stakeholders and offers advice on maintaining existing systems to avoid the pitfalls of starting anew.

Isaac Askew and Jeffrey Sherman explore the complexities of rewriting a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and whether such actions can be classified as a 'rewrite.' The conversation emphasizes the value of rewriting code that has proven to be effective and the need for new terminology in the software development community.

Isaac Askew and Jeffrey Sherman reflect on their podcast's achievements in 2025, discussing their goal of producing 52 episodes and analyzing listener engagement through various metrics. They explore the most popular episodes, insights from analytics, and strategies for improving content engagement. The conversation also touches on future plans for 2026, emphasizing the importance of listener interaction and feedback.

Jeffrey Sherman and Dustin Rea discuss how to navigate career development, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's career stage, exploring various career paths, and being intentional about career choices. They highlight the significance of networking, shadowing others, and maintaining a dynamic career to avoid stagnation. The conversation encourages listeners to reflect on their goals and aspirations to shape their professional journeys effectively.

In this episode, Sophia Rosa, a project and organizational change manager, discusses the complexities of changing an ERP system. The conversation explores the definition of ERP, the challenges of customization, the importance of change management, and the need for user adoption and training. Sophia emphasizes the significance of communication from project sponsors and the role of mindfulness in managing change. The discussion also highlights the necessity of mock cutovers and the potential resistance to change from users, concluding with insights on how to navigate these challenges effectively.

Jeffrey is out today, so we're joined by guest Thomas Morris to have a fun stream-of-consciousness style chat on what's on his mind these days.

Isaac Askew and Jeffrey Sherman discuss a humorous yet insightful story about the challenges of managing market data in financial systems, particularly focusing on the consequences of having multiple sources of truth. They explore the technical aspects of market data protocols, the issues arising from unsequenced messages, and the eventual solutions implemented to address these problems. The conversation highlights the importance of data integrity and the lessons learned from software bugs in trading systems.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Isaac Askew and Jeffrey Sherman engage with Mark Mandau, a principal consultant, to explore the complexities surrounding software rewrites. They discuss the dual perspectives of engineering and business, highlighting case studies like Facebook and Sonos to illustrate the risks and challenges associated with rewrites. The conversation delves into the pitfalls of code freezes, the doom loop effect, and the importance of customer feedback. Mark introduces the 'peak fix' approach as a structured alternative to rewrites, emphasizing the need for early engagement with consultants to navigate these challenges effectively.

Summary

In this episode of Never Rewrite, hosts Isaac Askew, Dustin Rea, and Jeffrey Sherman discuss the real-life implications of leaky abstractions in software development. They share personal anecdotes about the challenges faced when dealing with time zone discrepancies, database case sensitivity, and the importance of user experience. The conversation highlights the need for continuous investment in software and the lessons learned from past mistakes, emphasizing the balance between perfectionism and business viability.