Notes from the chair.
Plain writing on the decisions technology leaders actually lose sleep over, hiring, architecture, security, cost, and knowing which battle is worth fighting.
Vibe Coding Is a White Elephant for Anything Public-Facing
Vibe coding is great for prototypes and internal tools. For a real public product with users, money, and data, it quietly becomes a liability. Here is where the line is.
You Have AI Now. You Still Need a Tech Leader. Here Is Why.
AI makes building software cheaper and faster. It does not make the hard decisions for you. Here is why a technology leader matters more now, not less.
Building With AI Is Easy. The Second Version Is Where Teams Struggle.
AI gets you a working first version in days. Then comes version two, and that is where most startups and developers hit a wall. Here is why, and how to avoid it.
DORA Metrics Are Useful. Most Teams Misuse Them.
A practical take on DORA metrics, what the four keys really measure, the 2025 changes, and how to use them without gaming yourself.
Build vs Buy: The Question Companies Get Wrong
A practical build vs buy framework for software decisions, the real costs, the trap of 'we can build that,' and how to decide well.
The First 90 Days as a CTO: A Field Guide
What actually matters in your first 90 days as a CTO, a practical 30/60/90 plan for the person in the chair, not a textbook.
When Does a Startup Actually Need a CTO?
The honest signals that tell you when to hire a CTO, and when a fractional CTO is the smarter, cheaper first move.