A Stealth Consultant’s Survival Guide and Other Unfashionable Ideas on Software Development
2025-06-18
My great friend has just landed a new job as a software developer. While soaking up the sun, we took pleasure in discussing his new role over coffee outside one of the best coffee shops in Europe.
His position comes with a high degree of responsibility: working for a well-known European brand, with a salary to match. Refreshingly, it does not involve any Scrum methodologies. In a tech world obsessed with ceremonies and rigid frameworks, this felt like a breath of fresh air. The role was reminiscent of my contracting days in London, back when people just got on with it and things actually got built.
As I walked home, I mused over our conversation and felt compelled to write this article as a reminder that there is another way to work: fast, lean, and directly with the business.