Stop Starting with Code: Start with System Use Cases

When I work with AI Unified Process, the focus is always on system use cases. They are the core artifact that connects requirements, existing systems, and generated[...]

An AI-Ready Architecture for Business Applications

Agentic AI is changing how we build software. AI is no longer just a helper that writes small code snippets. It can reason about requirements, generate larger parts of a system,[...]

Spec-driven Development is not Task-driven AI

Spec-driven development is suddenly everywhere. Many AI tools claim to support it, and many teams say they are already doing it. But when I look closer, what I often see is[...]

Why User Stories Are a Poor Fit for Spec-Driven Development

User stories are popular in agile teams. They are short, readable, and focused on user value. For many teams, they help with planning and coordination. However, when the goal[...]

The Human Perspective: Why “Empower the Team” is a Definition of Success in 2025

The fifth chapter, Empower the Team, is arguably the linchpin upon which all the other Lean principles depend. In the conclusion of my previous exploration of rapid delivery, I[...]

Deliver as Fast as Possible: Why this Imperative is more Critical than Ever

In their book, Lean Software Development: An Agile Toolkit, Mary and Tom Poppendieck present rapid delivery not as a reckless rush to the finish line, but as a strategic[...]

The Power of Intelligent Patience: Why We Should “Decide as Late as Possible”

In today’s world of software development, the pressure to make fast decisions can significantly weigh on you and your team. And conventional wisdom often dictates that early[...]

Spec-Driven Development with AI: A New Approach and a Journey into the Past

The software development world is buzzing about AI-assisted coding. Tools like GitHub Copilot and Claude Code promise to make us more productive. But most approaches focus on[...]

Amplify Learning: An Up-to-Date Look at an Important Principle of Lean Software Development

Every project is different: Software development, at its heart, is less like assembling a predictable machine on a factory line and more like navigating uncharted territory. The[...]

Balcony Architecture: A Symptom of Fear and Confusion in Legacy Code

In many legacy systems, you can see something I call “Balcony Architecture”. It is not an official pattern, but it describes a real problem I often see in[...]

Goodbye Microservices, Hello Self-contained Systems

Microservices are not inherently bad. But they are not a one-size-fits-all solution either. In fact, for many business applications, they can introduce unnecessary complexity. In[...]

Eliminating Waste: The Cornerstone of Lean Software Development

Over two decades ago, Mary and Tom Poppendieck published Lean Software Development. In a series of articles, we will explore its principles and whether they are still relevant[...]