My Approach to Building Software
How I think about problems, work with teams, and build systems that actually solve real challenges
Lessons learned from building everything from startup MVPs to enterprise platforms processing billions of data points
Core Philosophy
The principles that guide how I approach every technical challenge
Problem-First Thinking
I start by deeply understanding the actual problem before jumping to solutions. The best code in the world is useless if it doesn't solve the right challenge.
Collaborative Solutions
The best solutions come from diverse perspectives. I work closely with teams to leverage everyone's knowledge and build collective ownership of the solution.
Future-Proof Building
I design systems that adapt and scale as businesses grow. Every architectural decision considers not just today's requirements, but tomorrow's possibilities.
How I Work
My day-to-day approach to solving complex technical challenges
Listen First, Code Second
Before writing a single line of code, I spend time understanding the business context, user needs, and existing constraints. This prevents building the wrong thing beautifully.
Real Example
When tasked with improving system performance, I discovered the real issue wasn't slow code - it was inefficient data access patterns causing unnecessary database calls. By listening to the operations team's daily frustrations, we solved the actual problem rather than optimising the wrong thing.
In Practice
I've seen too many projects fail because they tried to solve everything at once. Instead, I focus on delivering working solutions quickly, then iterating based on real feedback.
Start Simple, Scale Smart
I believe in building the simplest thing that could possibly work, then evolving it based on real needs. This approach delivers value faster and avoids over-engineering.
Clear Communication
Technical complexity shouldn't mean communication complexity. I translate technical concepts into business language and ensure everyone understands what's being built and why. I've built my entire methodology around this 'No Bullshit' approach - I see this a problem that is massively overlooked in this industry.
My Communication Style
Coming from a personal trainer background taught me that explaining complex concepts in simple terms is a skill worth developing. Whether it's a database design or a system architecture, I aim for clarity over cleverness.
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." - This guides how I approach both code documentation and stakeholder conversations.
Technical Standards
Non-negotiable practices that ensure quality and maintainability
Security by Design
Security isn't something you add later. Authentication, authorisation, and data protection are built into the architecture from day one.
Comprehensive Testing
Unit tests, integration tests, and automated testing pipelines ensure code quality and catch issues before they reach production.
Clean, Readable Code
Code is written for humans to read. Clear naming, logical structure, and appropriate documentation make systems maintainable.
Performance Awareness
Every database query, API call, and user interaction is considered for performance impact. Monitoring and profiling guide optimisation efforts.
Automation First
If it can be automated, it should be. CI/CD pipelines, testing, and deployment processes reduce human error and increase reliability.
Developer Experience
Happy developers write better code. Clear documentation, good tooling, and logical project structure make development enjoyable.
What It's Like Working With Me
The honest truth about my working style and what you can expect
You can expect me to:
Ask "why" before "how"
I want to understand the problem deeply before proposing solutions
Challenge technical debt
I'll advocate for refactoring and improvements, but with business context
Share knowledge actively
Code reviews, documentation, and mentoring are part of how I work
Communicate honestly
If something's not working or seems risky, I'll speak up early
Focus on long-term success
Quick fixes are sometimes necessary, but I'll push for sustainable solutions
I work best when:
There's trust and autonomy
I do my best work when trusted to make technical decisions and suggest improvements
Business context is clear
Understanding the "why" behind requirements helps me build better solutions
Collaboration is valued
I enjoy working with diverse teams and learning from different perspectives
Quality matters
Teams that care about code quality, testing, and doing things right
Learning is encouraged
I'm always learning new things and enjoy environments that support growth
A bit of personality
I still get excited about that first "Hello World" when learning a new framework (though I add a 👋 now). I think the best code is boring code that just works. I'll happily spend an hour making something 10% better if it means the next developer won't have to deal with a confusing mess. And yes, I'm the person who'll refactor something "while I'm here" - but I'll document why and what changed.
Sound like a good fit?
Whether you're looking for a team member or technical expertise, I'd love to hear about the challenges you're working on.