Recorded Oct 4th, 2023
Guest: David Laing (Dublin, IR CF Pivot)
Host: Tony Hansmann
Call to action: David is currently looking for collaborators who own production systems to participate in WellMaintained.io. Interested parties can join through their website.
---
In today's episode, David Lang to discuss his new organization, WellMaintained.io. The episode focuses on the problem of creating efficient and humane operational teams for running software in production environments.
Key Takeaways:
Genesis of WellMaintained.io:
David explains that the organization aims to extend the efficient software development practices proven at Pivotal to software operations. The goal is not just efficient operation but also a humane and energizing experience for practitioners.
Pain Points in Operations: Tony and David discuss the myriad issues in typical software operations, from expired certificates to unpredicted medium-term problems, dubbed as "meso problems".
Learning from Pivotal: Both speakers highlight the success of the Pivotal model in software development and ponder its application in operations. They stress the importance of team organization, iterating on practices, and sharing context to keep a team alive indefinitely.
The Concept of 'Meso Problems': Operations have medium-term challenges that often go unnoticed. By tracking these 'meso problems,' teams can preempt issues before they become crises.
Solution: Shorten the Loops: David recommends frequent rotations and check-ins to get good at solving recurring problems. For example, instead of a certificate that expires every five years, have it expire every month, practice renewing it, and make the process efficient.
Future Plans: David wants to hold a series of conversations to identify common pain points in operations. He is also open to community events, though none are scheduled yet.
For anyone interested in a new operational model inspired by Pivotal's success, visit Well-Maintained.org or connect on the Pivotal alumni Slack.
This episode provides a deep dive into how proven software development methodologies can be adapted to solve the pervasive issues plaguing software operations today.