This week, our heroes explore the similarities between one-ply toilet paper and enterprise software. They highlight the challenges and potential solutions for enterprise software teams.The post 78. A Thin Line: The Rough Reality of Enterprise

In the Dark: The Tale of the Cursed Prototype

Oct 30th, 2023 26m 28s

This is the story of a talented UX designer so obsessed with perfection that he literally loses himself in his design. Two brave interns decide to unravel this mystery, and what they find is beyond imagination.The post In the Dark: The Tale of

In the Dark: A Cautionary Tale of UX Dark Patterns

Oct 30th, 2023 10m 20s

This week, our heroes share a frightening tale of UX dark patterns. Some evil UX designers will use nasty tricks to get you to do their bidding. Don't fall for their traps. Pay attention to this cautionary tale.The post In the Dark: A Cautiona

77. Sink or Swim: How to Survive Being Overleveled

Aug 30th, 2023 49m 27s

This week, our heros discuss over levelling, or ending up in a position where you maybe aren't where you should be. Ending up in this position is not where anyone wants to be. The post 77. Sink or Swim: How to Survive Being Overleveled appeare

76. Ctrl+Alt+Del Your Existential Dread: A Phoenix Will Rise Out of ChatGPT’s Ashes

May 25th, 2023 32m 46s

This week, our heroes wax philosophical about AI and why getting upset about the rise of corporate controlled AI is a fool's errand... Or is that what Skynet wants you to think?The post 76. Ctrl+Alt+Del Your Existential Dread: A Phoenix Will R

From the Archives: Peak Software $#!% with Gojko Adzic

May 11th, 2023 45m 59s

This week, our heroes talk with speaker, author, and software engineer Gojko Adzic about how software can go horribly wrong. When it does it can affect our lives in troubling, frustrating, and unexpected ways.The post From the Archives: Peak S

What Is the Network Effect?

May 4th, 2023 33m 44s

This week, our heroes discuss The Network Effect or the phenomenon where a system becomes more valuable the more users producers and consumers have joined the system.The post 75. What Is the Network Effect? appeared first on Retro Time.

Bursting the Multiverse Bubble or Stop It With the Status Quo Already!

Apr 26th, 2023 33m 29s

This week, our heroes discuss the unfortunate scenario where teams fall into an alternate reality. They know something is off, but they can't tell quite what it is. How do we get back to the universe where we belong?The post 74. Bursting the M

Who Do Software Teams Serve?

Mar 9th, 2023 36m 31s

This week, our heroes discuss the age-old, and often touchy subject of who software teams serve. Do they serve the product? Stakeholders? Product Managers? Product Owners? Users? The team itself?The post 73. Who Do Sof

When Important Decisions Become Ancient History

Feb 23rd, 2023 37m 56s

This week our heroes discuss decisions, their long-term, lingering impact, and what happens when those decisions turn into ancient history that predates the modern era.The post 72. When Important Decisions Become Ancient History appeared first

A Couple of Miracle Workers

Jan 19th, 2023 52m

This week, our heroes take a cue from Star Trek and discuss "miracle workers" or the folks who always seem to get attention when they save the day. Yet the ones who work in the shadows, keeping things running, never seem to get the attention th

70. The Endless Drive for the Perfect Program

Jan 13th, 2023 36m 53s

This week, our heroes discuss perfection. What it means to strive for perfection, and when to let "Good Enough" be your rallying cry. Striving for perfection isn't bad, but don't let perfect get in the way of the good.The post 70. The Endless

Seasons Greetings: The Story of Barry Christmas

Dec 15th, 2022 14m 55s

Have you ever wondered how the big guy got presents to all the children on earth in one night? The post Seasons Greetings: The Story of Barry Christmas appeared first on Retro Time.

Don’t Stop Networking After You Land the Job

Dec 7th, 2022 24m 2s

How well do you know the people in your organization? Can you name 5 or 10 people outside of your team? Do you know what they do or why they are assigned to various roles? Do you know how it impacts you?The post 69. Don’t Stop Networking Afte

From the Archive: A Brief History of the Agile Manifesto with Uncle Bob Martin

Nov 23rd, 2022 1h 4m

This week, our heroes dig into the interview archives to present the legendary "Uncle Bob," Martin. We learn about the history of the Agile Manifesto and if any parts were written in a hot tub. The post From the Archive: A Brief History of the

Agile Bull$#!% With Jesper Boeg

Nov 10th, 2022 1h 11m

This week our heroes talk with Jesper Boeg, author of the "Agile Bullshit" series about his thoughts on the state of Agile today. Jesper explains why he thinks the industry is suffering from too much Agile bullshit.The post 68. Agile Bull$#!%

67. Teach the Geek To Speak With Neil Thompson

Oct 27th, 2022 43m 55s

This week, our heros talk with Neil Thompson author and host of Teach the Geek. Neil gives advice on how to be a better public speaker, and offers some tips on things to do to avoid becoming a sweaty mess.The post 67. Teach the Geek To Speak W

From the Archives: Tom Greever, Author of Articulating Design Decisions

Oct 20th, 2022 45m 48s

This week, our heroes dig into the interview archives to present Tom Greever, author of "Articulating Design Decisions." They'll talk about working with stakeholders and reveal how O'Reily picks cover animals.The post From the Archives: Tom Gr

In the Dark: A Purgatory of Incompetence

Oct 13th, 2022 9m 4s

This week, our heroes share a story of poor Wilcox Mudhoney, server administrator and walking disaster who never seemed to do anything right. His whole being existed in a purgatory of incompetence.The post In the Dark: A Purgatory of Incompete

Don’t Wait Until You Quit To Document

Oct 7th, 2022 35m 50s

This week, our heros discuss the tricky situation of not figuring out what your co-workers do until it's too late, waiting until a week or two before they quit. You better not screw this up!The post 66. Don’t Wait Until You Quit To Document ap

In the Dark: A Cautionary Tale of UX Dark Patterns

Sep 29th, 2022 10m 5s

A Figma of Your Imagination

Sep 22nd, 2022 33m 54s

This week our heroes discuss the recent acquisition of Figma by Adobe for an obscene amount of USD. There may be lots of reasons to be weary of these developments, but losing a tool shouldn't be one of them.The post 65. A Figma of Your Imagina

In the Dark: The Frightful Tale of Lost Lenny

Sep 15th, 2022 8m 10s

This week, our heroes get ready for Halloween with a new series, In the Dark. Join Ronald as he goes on an adventure in the IBM server room late one night, in search of his best friend Peter.The post In the Dark: The Frightful Tale of Lost Len

Formin' Stormin' Normin' Performin' Mournin' Dawlin'

Sep 8th, 2022 31m

This week our heroes discuss the five phases of a teams development from forming all the way until the bitter end. These stages are normal and most every team goes through them.The post 64. Formin’ Stormin’ Normin’ Performin’ Mournin’ Dawlin’

The Three Joys of Work or: How to Influence Change

Sep 1st, 2022 40m 13s

This week, our heroes discuss the difficulties and nuances of changing the way our teams have always done things. There are some techniques we can use that work better than others.The post 63. How to Influence Change or The Three Joys of Work