In this episode, Rob sits down with Ger McMahon, Head of ALM Tools and Platforms at Fidelity Investments, to explore the unique challenges of delivering software rapidly in a large enterprise. They dive into strategies for fostering innovation and effectively sharing ideas across diverse teams within the organization.

Ger highlights the delicate balance between building internal tools and creating customer-facing applications, emphasizing the critical role of keeping the customer at the center of decision-making. He also shares insights into why Fidelity prioritizes being a "technology company that delivers financial services," and how that mindset shapes their approach to software development.

Whether you’re part of a large organization or navigating the complexities of enterprise software delivery, this episode offers valuable perspectives and actionable ideas.

Have a guest suggestion? Connect with us on X at @CircleCI!

In this episode of The Confident Commit, Rob sits down with Christine Yen, CEO of Honeycomb, to delve into the evolving role of observability in modern software development. They discuss how observability goes beyond traditional metrics and monitoring, and allows developers to be better prepared for the unknown and embrace the complexities of distributed systems. Christine shares insights on how observability not only boosts developer confidence but also enhances productivity by reducing toil and enabling teams to focus on delivering value for customers.

The conversation shifts to the value of Service Level Objectives (SLOs) and why discussions around them often focus heavily on measurement tools and technical implementations. Christine offers valuable advice on steering these conversations towards healthier, more customer-centric perspectives. By reframing the conversation, developers and teams can focus on delivering real value, aligning technical goals with customer needs and driving meaningful outcomes.

Have a guest you’d like to hear on the podcast? Reach out to us on X at @CircleCI!

In this episode, Rob is joined by Laura Tacho, CTO at DX, to explore the continuous rising focus on developer experience and its impact on both engineers and businesses. They discuss how investing in developer experince is not just about making life easier for developers; it’s also a smart business move that cuts down on waste and boosts efficiency. Laura emphasizes the importance of trusting developers to identify their own challenges, as they’re the ones navigating the daily complexities of their work.

The conversation also touches on how recent global changes have influenced engineering leadership and made dev experience a higher priority. Laura shares her thoughts on the value of combining survey data with peer metrics to enhance developer experience.

If there’s anyone you’d like to hear on the show, please reach out to us on X at @CircleCI !

In this episode of The Confident Commit, Rob is joined by Birgitta Böckeler, Global Lead for AI-assisted software delivery at Thoughtworks, to dive deep into the dynamic world of GenAI and its impact on software development. They explore the shifting landscape of GenAI usage and adoption over the last 18 months, tackling critical questions like how to leverage fast-moving advancements without building solutions that become obsolete in weeks.

Birgitta shares her insights on when it might be better to build something yourself to avoid the instability of rapid technological change. They also discuss what aspects of AI she currently considers stable and which are still in flux. Birgitta issues a crucial warning: don’t overestimate AI by using it as a band-aid to cover up deeper issues in your software pipeline.

Whether you're a seasoned developer or just curious about the future of software delivery, this episode offers valuable perspectives on navigating the complexities of AI in today’s fast-paced tech environment.

Have someone in mind you’d like to hear on the show? Reach out to us on X at @CircleCI!

In this episode of The Confident Commit, Rob is joined by Heidi Helfand, author of Dynamic Reteaming. Together, they explore the components of exceptional teams and strategies for building them to deliver better software faster.

They delve into the definition of performance and the importance of aligning on what "high-performing" means for individual roles and the team as a whole. They also discuss the distinction between high-performing teams and high-performing individuals.

The conversation covers how to structure great teams and the benefits of involving team members in the reteaming decision process.Heidi shares insights on why splitting up high-performing teams to create more high-performing teams often fails, and suggests alternative approaches for achieving better results.

Have a guest in mind for the podcast? Reach out to us on X at @CircleCI!

In this episode, Rob sits down with Ken Rose, CTO of OpsLevel, to delve into the evolving landscape of platform teams and the pressing challenges they face. Together, they explore OpsLevel's mission to tackle the mounting complexities encountered by modern organizations.

Ken sheds light on the pressing issue of accomplishing "more with less" amidst the backdrop of economic uncertainty. With organizations operating on leaner software teams, yet still expected to deliver value to customers, the discussion delves into strategies for simplifying operations and maximizing efficiency. From grappling with the complexities of growth through acquisitions to leveraging investments for streamlined processes, the conversation offers insights for leaders navigating these turbulent waters.

The dialogue underscores the pivotal role of leadership in easing the burden of complexity for team members. How can leaders effectively support their teams in navigating these challenges and fostering a culture of efficiency and innovation?

Eager to hear from a specific guest on the podcast? Reach out to us on X at @CircleCI!

In this episode, Rob is joined by Luis Ceze, CEO of OctoAI and a distinguished professor of computer science at the University of Washington. Together, they unpack the surge of interest in AI, attributing it to the convergence of factors like the unprecedented availability of data thanks to the internet boom and the accessibility of powerful computing resources.

Their conversation delves into the pragmatic challenges developers face, such as striking the right balance between cost-effectiveness, inference speed, and ensuring scalability and availability. Luis explains how OctoAI is pioneering solutions to streamline this process, empowering developers to navigate these complexities automatically.

Luis shares invaluable insights into the strategic benefits of diversifying AI models, likening the approach to the artistry of a skilled mixologist crafting a perfectly balanced cocktail.

Have a guest recommendation for the podcast? Reach out to us on X at @CircleCI and let us know!

In this episode, Rob is joined by Carolyn Mooney, the CEO of Nextmv, a decision ops platform. As a seasoned expert in Decision Science, Carolyn delves into the nuanced differences in decision optimization and logistics across various industries, drawing from her experiences at Zoomer and Grubhub.

The conversation unfolds around the decision maturity life cycle, exploring how companies progress from manual spreadsheet decisions to fully automated systems. They reflect on the impact of the pandemic on supply chain issues, emphasizing the heightened awareness of logistics' significance. Carolyn shares insightful perspectives on the fundamental role of optimization for efficiency in sustainability initiatives.

With the transformative impact of increased AI awareness in logistics, Rob and Carolyn share the importance for all companies to contemplate the options and potential for enhancing their organizational efficiency.

Have someone you'd like to hear on the podcast? Reach out to us on X at @CircleCI!

In this episode, Rob is joined by Patrick Debois, a seasoned industry expert and DevOps pioneer. Patrick shares his personal odyssey within the realm of DevOps, reflecting on the current state of the industry compared to his initial expectations. The conversation delves into the convergence of business analytics and technical analytics, exploring innovative approaches developers are adopting to integrate generative AI into their products.

The two explore predictions for the year 2024, pondering whether the landscape will witness a pronounced shift towards applications or if other technical transformations will take precedence.

If you have suggestions for future podcast guests, connect with us on X at @CircleCI!

Get in touch with Patrick -
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickdebois/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jedi4ever 

In this episode Rob is joined by Dave Farley, software legend and author of books "Continuous Delivery" and "Modern Software Engineering”. 

The two tackle the essence of software development culture and the current state of software delivery. They unpack why it’s important to prioritize problem-solving abilities over technical skills when it comes to hiring, emphasizing a healthy culture and the need for continuous learning on the job.

Reflecting on the past 25 years in the industry, the conversation centers on acknowledging mistakes, aiming to shorten development cycles for rapid feedback and progress. Exploring the intersection of aviation history and modern software development, Dave draws parallels with the Wright Brothers' approach to engineering and iteration.

Listen in as Dave shares insights on AI automated testing and its current inability to rival the human brain, and discover the must-read books he recommends for every software developer.

Connect with us on Twitter/X at @CircleCI to share your thoughts or suggest future guests for the show!