Cloud Infrastructure
Cloud architecture, edge computing, platform choices, and the infrastructure tradeoffs that show up in CTO decision-making.
Episodes
S2E36
From Academia to Industry: Scott Hanson on the Future of AI and Edge Computing
with Scott Hanson, Ambiq
Brad & Scott interview Scott Hanson, founder and CTO of Ambiq, a company focused on ultra-low-power chips for "intelligence everywhere," with 300M+ units shipped into wearables and other devices. Hansen traces Ambiq's origins with University of Michigan smart-dust research and his PhD work on subthreshold computing—running transistors at extremely low voltages for quadratic energy savings—then explains the challenges of making it manufacturable across temperature and process variation.
Cloud Infrastructure
S2E17
An Ideal Partnership: How and When to Split CTO and VP of Engineering Duties
Brad & Scott
Brad & Scott discuss the recurring question: when it's appropriate to hire a VP of Engineering and how to divide responsibilities so the CTO can better align product, business, and technology strategy. They define CTO vs VP of Engineering work, review Gemini's matrix (strategy/vision vs execution/people/process, external vs internal, success metrics, and typical direct reports), and add nuance about internal stakeholders within and outside the company.
Cloud Infrastructure
S1E37
Deploys, Demos, and the Elusive Metric of Engineering Productivity
Brad & Scott
Brad & Scott wrestle with one of the industry's toughest questions: How do you measure engineering productivity? The conversation explores the hypothesis that deploy frequency per person can serve as a practical proxy for velocity, and the cultural tradeoffs this metric may introduce.
Cloud Infrastructure
S1E19
Bonus Episode with Greg Conklin: Navigating Hyper-growth and Tech Debt at Groupon and Dropbox
with Greg Conklin
Brad & Scott dive into a conversation with Greg Conklin, exploring his experiences at two hypergrowth companies, Groupon and Dropbox. Greg shares insights on the unique cultural and technical strategies employed at both organizations during their rapid expansion phases.
Cloud Infrastructure
S1E15
Understanding and Managing Technical Debt: Insights from John Helm
with John Helm
Brad & Scott welcome guest John Helm to discuss the complexities and ramifications of technical debt within software projects. The conversation explores various analogies, including financial bonds and naked calls, to explain the impact of technical debt on project timelines and functionality.
Cloud Infrastructure
S1E14
The Ball of Mud - Tackling Software Monoliths and Decomposing Tech Debt: Strategies and Challenges
Brad & Scott
Brad & Scott discuss the intricate challenges of engineering leadership, focusing on the decomposition of monolithic software systems and the monumental task of managing tech debt. They delve into the practical strategies for breaking down monoliths, the complexity of interdependencies and 'God objects,' and debate the merits of incremental rewrites versus complete overhauls.
Cloud Infrastructure
Articles
How can businesses measure the impact of addressing technical debt?
How can engineering teams effectively measure productivity beyond traditional metrics?
How did Groupon and Dropbox handle hyper-growth differently?
How do universities and their technology transfer offices facilitate the commercialization of academic research?
What are the challenges and strategies for decomposing a software monolith?
What are the key differences between a CTO and a VP of Engineering in a software company?
What are the potential pitfalls of using deploy frequency as a productivity metric?
What is the fundamental definition of technical debt according to John Helm?
What strategies did Groupon use to manage technical debt during its rapid expansion?