Platform Engineering: Enhancer of DevOps, Not a Replacement

As tech buzzwords go, “platform engineering” has definitely gained momentum. I see it everywhere - in articles, conference talks, and even casual conversations among tech professionals. Too often, though, this concept of platform engineering comes bundled with the tagline “DevOps is dead” or “Platform engineering replaces DevOps.” This makes me cringe a little inside. Every time I hear this, it reinforces my conviction that folks making such statements fundamentally misunderstand the core of what DevOps represents....

February 22, 2024

The Problem with 9's

The pursuit of ever-increasing “9’s” in reliability metrics has become a hallmark of modern systems engineering. But for senior decision-makers, it’s critical to look beyond the marketing appeal of abstract numbers and assess the real-world trade-offs and potential pitfalls of fixating on this single metric. Understanding the 9’s Scale While seemingly straightforward, the implications of each additional “9” are less apparent to non-technical stakeholders. Let’s demystify it: 99% uptime: Approximately 3....

February 21, 2024

Why Ownership Matters

We’ve all experienced it - the grand initiative launched with enthusiasm and big promises, only to fizzle out months later without truly achieving its goals. Frustrating? Definitely. Avoidable? Absolutely. One of the primary reasons initiatives fail is the lack of a single, clear owner. The Problem with “Nobody’s In Charge” When tasks and responsibilities are spread across a team without someone designated to helm the project, problems are almost guaranteed:...

February 20, 2024

It's Not Just About Tech, It's About Business

We often romanticize the image of tech companies as hubs of pure technological innovation. We picture brilliant coders in hoodies crafting elegant algorithms that, by themselves, bring disruptive change. While the importance of technical mastery is undeniable, the success stories we celebrate don’t happen in an engineering vacuum. The most impactful tech companies, the ones that alter our lives, aren’t merely “tech companies.” They are businesses - extraordinarily successful examples of applying technological solutions to tackle real-world problems, create compelling products, and reach massive audiences....

February 19, 2024

Embracing Failure

In the world of software engineering, one immutable truth stands out: failure is not just a possibility, it’s an inevitability. As we architect modern software systems, the paradigm has shifted from simply preventing failures to designing systems that are resilient and can thrive in the face of disruptions. Understanding the Inevitability of Failure A myriad of factors can lead to system failures. From hardware malfunctions, network outages, and software bugs to human errors and unforeseen disasters, the potential for disruption is vast....

February 15, 2024