Exploring the human factors that make software engineering so unique, so difficult, so important and all consuming. Learning to work with the systems, not against them.
The Human Engineer 286 - Humane Engineering Organisations Part #1
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REBRAND ALERT!! So it's been a while since I renamed this newsletter but I feel it's due a slight sidestep following the launch of my book. So welcome to episode 286 overall, but episode #1 of The Human Engineer. Despite me constantly rename this newsletter, over these years the subject has never really varied too much. I talk about software systems and how they relate to human systems. I find my work increasingly focusses on the human side of the this divide - because it is a divide right? Some of us can talk to the machines, make them do our bidding, some of us are dependent upon us whisperers to do the work. I know that I'm happier when I'm doing the engineering work itself, or very close to the engineering work. The further I venture into the human organisational side with its structure and hierarchy, small talk and politics I find myself struggling. I don't mind the politics (I'm good at saying "No" or "maybe") or the small talk (as long it's reasonably small) but the structure is always a problem. And the structure leads to poor decision making and disconnection with those who do the work. Now, I'm not a consultant with a capital 'C'. I'm a freelancer who is not a natural speaker when it comes to the themes I'm passionate about. I can't recall the quotes I need or the data I've read at a moment's notice. I can't win over a decision-maker and convince them into a program of change. I can however talk at a team or department level about what works for engineers and what doesn't. I am an ally to those who otherwise do not feel they have a voice. A COUPLE OF PODCASTSI just appeared on the InfoQ podcast talking about "Human Engineering Organisations" and stated that I don't think I've every really worked for a humane engineering organisation. I feel this to be honestly true. To be truly humane, you really need to stop and listen when people say "No" but you also have to listen when they say nothing. Not everyone feels strong enough to say something. The louder voices can drown out the quieter ones. Too many companies and too many leaders focus on the what and the when, rather than the how. Have a listen and tell me what you think. As I said, I'm not a naturally gifted speaker but I'm working hard to make my thoughts clearer. One person who doesn't suffer from a lack of mental acuity when speaking is the wonderful Meri Williams talking to Charles Humble for the GOTO podcast series. Oh to have Meri 's ability to succinctly put leadership thoughts into helpful, memorable lines! Guidance at the right time, knowing when to ask for help, when to stand back. If you're ever doubting your ability to lead in software, then have a listen to this. I will certainly be bookmarking it. Some great quotes from this discussion: "The standard that you walk past, is the standard you accept" "You've gotta be opinionated into order to give people a choice" "Values should be verbs not nouns" Knowing yourself as a leader - what stage of a business you will succeed at. Knowing yourself as a person and your neurotype. Superb. Just listen to it. BOOK UPDATESA couple of announcements. I've given the Human Software website a rebrand, let me know what you think of it! Secondly HUMAN SOFTWARE is now available as an Apple Audiobook featuring an AI generated (female, British) voice. Now, I know that HUMAN SOFTWARE is an ostensibly anti-AI book however I'm a technologist at heart, and anything that allows me to easily share my work with others is something of interest to me. I promise if I ever make enough money from the book to justify it I'll employ a proper voice artist to do it for me! The same promise I made as for the cover. When I turn a profit I'll be doing this but suffice to say there's a way to go yet ;) If you've not yet got your copy then HUMAN SOFTWARE makes a perfect holiday gift for the technologist in your life. Go to this page for all your buying options. In the second part of this short series, I'll be sharing some more about empathy and leadership is tech. It's notable that from my research it seems to be mainly women doing the leading and talking here. I would love to hear about any truly empathetic and humane leaders and humane engineering organisations. Please let me know if you can recommend any - you can simply reply to this email and I'll get it. THANKS! Until next time, have a great weekend! Tech Won’t Fix it When It’s a Human ProblemPublished on December 7, 2025 It saddens me that throughout software engineering, there is a very “tech will fix it” all-pervading attitude. Code first, think later. Move faster with AI. More is better. Change is good. This is wrong and dangerous. It doesn’t matter if a software change is tiny or large – ALL changes modify how we humans have… Read More »Tech Won’t Fix it When It’s a Human Problem
How To Stay Ethically Connected in the Age of AIPublished on December 2, 2025 LinkedIn is usually not the place to go to find a balanced argument. However it is the place where many of us in IT and software development find interesting technical and leadership discussion. It is often the most useful of the social media. We find jobs there, we discover ideas on it, we connect with… Read More »How To Stay Ethically Connected in the Age of AI
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The Human Engineer
Exploring the human factors that make software engineering so unique, so difficult, so important and all consuming. Learning to work with the systems, not against them.
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Greg Wilson of Software Carpentry fame knows how to write a headline. His recent talk Cocaine and Conway's Law is a mine of brilliant ideas and books to add to your reading list. They talk invested me immediately through his excoriation of Mark Andreessen's "Techno Optimist Manifesto" as a part of the Peter Thiel/Elon Musk narrative - work harder and longer, fix all problems via tech. Conway's Law, for those who are unfamiliar is the implicit link between social organisation of a company and...