For most software leaders, navigating the world of technology is already a demanding feat. But for a select few, the challenge extends beyond lines of code and elegant algorithms. These are the CTOs who also wear the CEO hat, balancing technical vision with the realities of financial stewardship. They’re a rare breed, and their unique perspective offers valuable insights for both aspiring leaders and those seeking the right nearshore development partner.
For a CTO-CEO, it’s a constant dance between two worlds. Their days are a blend of crafting robust architectures and scrutinizing budgets. Imagine building the future one algorithm at a time, while keeping a keen eye on the bottom line. It’s a high-wire act, demanding both meticulous planning and a healthy dose of calculated risk.
But when done right, the synergy is undeniable. Technical agility meets financial prudence in a potent mix. Decisions become laser-focused, aligning development goals with budgetary constraints. The CEO’s deep understanding of technology fosters empathy with teams, leading to a collaborative and efficient environment. Innovation flourishes when the architect of the code also holds the keys to the castle.
Think of Microsoft’s remarkable resurgence under Satya Nadella’s leadership. His ascent from software engineer to CEO wasn’t just a climb up the corporate ladder; it was a strategic move that fueled Microsoft’s transformation. Nadella’s fluency in both code and commerce allowed him to see the immense potential of cloud computing and AI, guiding the company to refocus its efforts and reclaim its position as a tech leader. His story is a testament to the power of having a CEO who speaks the language of both engineers and investors.
Collaborative Efficiency
Imagine software development teams where code whispers directly to the CEO’s ear, where budgets aren’t just spreadsheets but blueprints for innovation. Companies with Brain CTO-CEOs, according to industry reports and internal case studies, report a remarkable 30% increase in employee engagement among engineering teams. Why? Improved communication bridges the gap between developers and leadership, fostering mutual understanding and trust. It’s like having a translator who speaks both the language of code and the dialect of the boardroom, ensuring everyone is on the same page throughout the development journey. This enhanced collaboration reduces friction, quicker decision-making, and a shared sense of purpose, ultimately leading to a happier, more productive workforce.
Faster Time-to-Market
In today’s hyper-competitive landscape, speed is king. Studies like the Harvard Business Review study highlight the advantage of dual-focused leadership. Companies with leaders who juggle code and cash are 45% more likely to successfully launch new products on time and within budget. No more missed deadlines or ballooning costs! The CTO-CEO’s understanding of both technical feasibility and financial constraints becomes a potent weapon, guiding teams to hit the market not just with groundbreaking ideas, but also with optimal timing and financial prudence.
Navigating the Challenges
The journey for CTO-CEOs is one of constant balancing. They must keep pushing for innovation while ensuring financial stability. It’s not always smooth sailing, and there are tough decisions to be made along the way.
For example, investing in tomorrow’s AI breakthrough might conflict with the need to optimize existing infrastructure today. And while exciting new technologies are tempting, staying within budget and resource constraints is crucial. Finding the right balance can be challenging, requiring careful consideration to avoid prioritizing innovation at the expense of financial responsibility.
Here are some specific balancing acts CTO-CEOs face:
Avoiding «shiny object syndrome»: It’s important to evaluate if the latest tech trend aligns with long-term goals before pursuing it.
Making smart «build vs. buy» decisions: Choosing between internal development and external solutions requires careful weighing of cost and benefits.
Embracing the «innovation paradox»: Breakthroughs are important, but so are stability and reliability in existing systems.
Solving the «people puzzle»: Finding talent with both cutting-edge skills and operational efficiency is key.
These are just a few of the challenges CTO-CEOs navigate. Understanding these complexities is crucial for steering their companies toward sustainable growth.
Scio: Partnering for Sustainable Growth with a CEO-CTO Mindset
We understand the unique challenges of navigating technology and business as a CTO-CEO. That’s because our leadership embodies this very perspective. Our CEO, Luis Aburto, is not just a seasoned executive; he’s also a passionate engineer at heart.
This dual perspective is the cornerstone of Scio’s approach. We’ve seen firsthand how combining technical brilliance with strategic financial foresight unlocks the potential for stable growth, smart innovation, and empowered teams. We’re not about quick fixes or fleeting trends; we’re about building long-lasting success alongside you.
Luis Aburto’s passion for both software development and entrepreneurship is woven into the very fabric of Scio. He built this company with a singular mission: to empower tech companies to bring their software ideas to life, faster and better. This deep understanding of your world informs everything we do.
That means:
Finding the right talent: We handpick top-tier tech professionals in Mexico and Latin America, meticulously vetted for both technical excellence and cultural fit.
Managing costs effectively: We leverage our experience and global resources to optimize your project pipelines and maximize your budget impact.
Creating a thriving tech environment: We foster a collaborative culture where your teams feel empowered to innovate and build amazing things.
Scio isn’t just a team of consultants; we’re your strategic partner, guided by the CEO-CTO mindset of Luis Aburto. We walk alongside you, understanding your unique needs, budget realities, and vision for the future. Together, we’ll turn your passion for technology into sustainable growth, one line of code at a time.
Together We Build: The CTO-CEO’s Collaborative Journey
The journey of the CTO-CEO is rarely a solo endeavor. It’s a shared journey fueled by the combined efforts of engineers, developers, and countless others. It’s a reminder that even the sharpest minds need a team to translate ideas into reality. And perhaps that’s the true strength of the CTO-CEO: to foster an environment where diverse skills come together in a collaborative dance, building something bigger than themselves.
As Nicholas Negroponte wisely said, «Technology alone solves nothing. It’s the way we use it that matters.» The CTO-CEO understands this deeply. In their hands, technology isn’t just lines of code; it’s a bridge connecting people, a springboard for growth, and a canvas for shaping a better future. Their legacy isn’t just the product they deliver, but the way they unite a group of talented individuals towards a shared goal.
Moving forward, let’s remember that the key to unlocking technology’s true potential lies not just in individual brilliance, but in working together. Let’s be inspired by the CTO-CEO who encourages collaboration, not competition, and celebrates the harmony that arises when diverse voices join forces. Together, we can build a brighter future, united in strategy, and empowered to achieve.
Craftsmanship is timeless, being an integral practice to human history since the dawn of our species. It represents a quality of uniform excellence, often characterized by removing unnecessary elements from a design and bringing out the best in the crafted object. And although craftsmanship is often associated with aesthetic pursuits like painting or sculpture, its importance goes beyond; it serves as a powerful reminder of the value of hard work and skilled ‘hands-on’ effort, a notion that helps us tap into our creativity and realize our ambitions. Mastering craftsmanship, therefore, is not only a source of motivation but also a means to change our current place for the better.
And considering how technology is the biggest agent of change in our world, it might be interesting to find out if the idea of craftsmanship has a place in this modern computer-driven reality. Is there craftsmanship to be found in software development? After all, programming consists of a combination of hard skills, innovative techniques, and a love for constantly perfecting processes that translate into high-quality products. It can be said that developers practice a craftsmanship approach in every project, taking pride in the details and focusing on making changes that have a clear impact on performance, stability, scalability, and many other aspects of development.
However, for most people, it’s easy to overlook the art behind software development, but the craftsmanship is present in every little task. From developing feature-rich designs and diagrams to writing clean and error-free code, the job of a software developer involves multiple levels of precision and detail that demand proper diligence. A well-crafted software is an accomplishment, just as a well-crafted painting or sculpture would be, with each step involving thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and careful consideration. There’s an almost creative element to writing software since developers must find ways to solve programming puzzles with innovative ideas and stylish solutions, so designers must have some artistic understanding of how users interact with technology. Nonetheless, this approach must coexist with the demands of an industry that is always moving forward, making today’s software development an incredibly ingenious and complex task that must always rise to the challenge.
The balance between craftsmanship and business
Crafting software is an attempt to capture a responsive balance between the idealistic embrace of artistic virtue and the practical needs of a business environment. On one hand, developers want to use their creativity to build something meaningful that reflects a sense of usefulness and long-lasting quality. On the other hand, there are ever-present realities that require careful decisions about timelines and budget, and finding harmony between these factors while developing software can be hard to navigate. However, it’s by solving this creative tension that developers ultimately can create elegantly well-rounded solutions.
Still, it’s no small feat: both angles need to be taken into consideration when pursuing a successful project. It takes careful forethought, planning, and collaboration from everyone involved (developers, project managers, stakeholders, etc.) to prioritize craftsmanship over profit while still satisfying the business demands. The biggest challenge here is maintaining quality while meeting time and budget constraints; if a product is rushed out the door too soon or neglected too long, users will pay the price with buggy applications or poor feature implementation, so it’s important to have an experienced team of professionals who understand their collective responsibility to craft perfect software while keeping in mind all other key objectives.
As we have already mentioned, the importance of craftsmanship in software development can often be overlooked. It’s easy to rush through a project to meet a deadline and sacrifice quality, but this doesn’t end well in the long run. Quality software is efficient, minimizing user frustration and increasing overall productivity, and crafting robust software requires an investment of time and thought that demands an eye for details both big and small. High-quality craftsmanship requires rigorous testing before deployment, as well as regular updates after implementation to ensure maximum efficiency at all times. In other words, software craftsmanship may involve an initial extra effort, but it pays off by creating an outstanding user experience for years.
Thus, craftsmanship is an idea that one should take care of and pride in when writing code. Being a software craftsman involves learning, understanding, and researching best practices to write amazing code, with a developer constantly asking themselves questions such as: are there better ways to refactor this piece of code? How can I make this easier to maintain? Is there an accepted design pattern that I could use here? By taking the time to ask these questions themselves, developers can ensure that their software is of higher quality and more robust than it otherwise would be, the result of putting your knowledge, dedication, experience, and passion for problem-solving at the forefront. Craftsmanship in software development requires attention to detail, continual refinement from iteration to iteration, and an interest in learning new technologies for their work and aims for excellence when building quality products.
Craftsmanship at every level
True craftsmanship in software development can be seen in its intricate details. Developers who take their time to create their projects with a focus on the elegance of style and precision when producing games, websites, or applications that stand out from the crowd. Crafting a piece of software to be efficient and durable takes skill and talented developers to understand the importance of meeting user expectations, and making sure their work lives up to those standards by adding creative touches wherever possible. Part art, part science—true craftsmanship in software development makes the difference between an ordinary application and one that really shines when developers care about…
Writing clean and maintainable code: Craftsmen developers strive to write code that is easy to read, understand, and maintain over time. This means using meaningful variable names, avoiding duplication, and following established coding standards.
Building scalable software: Good software craftsmen know how to design and build software systems that can scale to meet the needs of a growing user base. This means understanding how to distribute workloads across multiple machines and designing software with horizontal scaling in mind.
Emphasizing testing: Crafting software means placing a strong emphasis on testing. Developers who practice craftsmanship ensure that their code is thoroughly tested and they use automated testing tools to make sure that any changes they make to the code do not break existing functionality.
Being efficient with code: A software craftsman understands the importance of being efficient with code. They know that every line of code that they write has an impact on the overall performance of the application, so they strive to write code that is as lean and efficient as possible.
Continuous improvement: Finally, software craftsmen are always looking for ways to improve their skills and the quality of their work. They stay up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques, and they are always looking for ways to improve their code and their processes.
In short, software development is an ever-evolving understanding of how coding works and communicates with different systems. By developing software, coders, and engineers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what can be done, learning from a variety of sources, and tackling complex tasks in efficient ways. It’s hard work, but the craftsmanship exhibited within can be extremely rewarding, as it offers an opportunity to create something useful and marketable that solves a problem or makes life easier for everyone. By continuously pushing their own boundaries of excellence, software developers are able to develop projects that achieve unprecedented levels of quality while ensuring usability and scalability. It’s this iterative approach that separates the best software projects from those just good enough—and it’s the commitment to continuous improvement and craftsmanship exhibited by software developers that allow users to seamlessly interact with highly sophisticated products.
The Key Takeaways
When it comes to software development, the value of craftsmanship cannot be overstated; creativity and artistry are critical for any successful piece of software out there.
What craftsmanship provides is an inspiration to always become better, strive for a better result, and grow new skills and talents that will result in a more positive outcome for any project.
However, finding the balance between craftsmanship and the business needs of the organization can be tricky, and must be navigated carefully.
Craftsmanship is found at every level of a development project, and the best developers will take it seriously to build the best possible product at the end.
Today’s business world is more tech-savvy than ever, and staying ahead of the competition often requires staying ahead of the latest trends in technology. But for smaller IT departments this can be a total challenge, where keeping an open dialogue with the rest of the company and understanding their needs to find the right solutions is the only path to success. Of course, investing in quality tools, so the IT team has access to reliable and current resources, would be ideal, as well as researching new technologies, and networking with experts to explore unusual sources for potential tech advances, but this is not always the case. Often, a small IT department can provide innovative solutions, stay competitive and maintain a robust infrastructure even in an increasingly fast-paced world only by doing a truly heroic effort at getting the job done.
For these reasons, having an external tech partner can greatly relieve the stress caused by tackling complex tasks without enough resources, bringing outside expertise and additional bandwidth to the table to tackle any project efficiently and cost-effectively. With this access to best practices and tools designed specifically for the task at hand, utilizing an outsourcing partner can be one of the strongest leverage points in making sure that small IT teams can do more with less.
However, there’s no denying that maintaining a mid-sized business’s IT department running smoothly can still be tricky. Smaller teams have a more difficult time responding quickly to software and hardware malfunctions, meaning keeping your tech running at an optimal level can be difficult. It can also be hard to adequately protect sensitive data that is stored digitally, as cybersecurity solutions often require more resources than the small IT staff may possess. On top of all this, managing employees’ demands and expectations takes further coordination from the small team members. And that’s without mentioning how keeping up with advancements in technology is also a challenge for smaller teams who might not have the budget for frequent upgrades and replacement parts. For many businesses, having a dedicated IT department is an invaluable asset, but these departments face unique hurdles that should not be overlooked.
With this in mind, it’s fair to say that being in charge of such responsibilities is nothing short of daring for many IT leaders, especially when it comes to times of crisis and rapid change that often require these departments to do a lot with very little. So what are your options if the job is surpassing your resources, and you need to find quality solutions fast? What is the best approach to take?
The Hero Call
There are a few simple steps to have in mind if you need to become the IT hero at your company. Do your research and learn everything you can about the systems currently in use; chances are that by having a thorough knowledge of information systems, industry trends, and technology, you’ll set yourself apart from the rest. Being an ardent learner, able to stay on top of advancements and new technologies while being proficient in problem-solving skills, is also a must because, when used correctly, IT can help companies become more efficient and maximize their output, so taking extra initiative to understand how different aspects of the IT domain fit together is essential. And last, but not least, building relationships with other departments in the organization too (and knowing how various areas work together) can help you better understand how technology can best be applied to meet organizational objectives.
All of these preparations can make a difference if a tech crisis happens. For a small IT department, dealing with these difficult situations (that can go from sudden malware attacks that cripple operations to unexpected hardware breakdown that leaves machines non-functional, to incorporating a new platform to change the workflow of the company) can be a daunting prospect, so the best thing you can do is approach the situation with focus and thoroughness. Bringing in all involved stakeholders so you can assess both the short-term and long-term impact of the project and develop a plan of action is a good first step. Secondly, find ways to streamline processes by leveraging technology already available in the department as well as ensuring there are reliable backups in place. And always strive to maintain consistent communication so all parties involved are kept up-to-date on the actions being taken.
Nevertheless, even the best IT departments can sometimes be outclassed by the size of the task, which is why having the perfect Nearshore partner at your side is the best course of action. We have touched on the subject of choosing the perfect tech partner, but in short, when tackling IT problems for small businesses, the key is to face difficult situations with creativity. Successfully taking on a big technology project requires the ability to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions that fan enthusiasm for the project’s objectives. Furthermore, having excellent communication skills will help ensure that this technology project is understood and adopted within an organization. Adopting new technologies can be daunting, so bring patience and composure to the table when introducing a new technology initiative.
And if you decide to go down the path of bringing a development partner, there are some key items to look for, like 24/7 support, an in-depth understanding of the industry, and enough flexibility to accommodate rapid changes. Businesses should also confirm that they have reliable security protocols and measures in place, and remember that experience always counts — having worked with clients similar in size and offering long-term customer service is invaluable. Choosing the right partner can save hours of headaches and help give the business confidence as it grows into the future, and you will be the key to letting this positive outcome happen.
Always bring your best
As the architects of the digital transformation happening in today’s world, IT departments are essential for the success of practically every business, and they have to exhibit a rare combination of expertise, agility, and cross-company collaboration to reach success by possessing a level of technological understanding and reliability to handle any challenge that comes their way. And working quickly and effectively with the outsourcing provider just ensures the right decisions are made quickly and resources are managed responsibly. As the go-to experts on technology in the company, they would ensure the smooth implementation of initiatives while also maintaining proper protocols for cyber security, playing a vital role in streamlining operations between departments. In other words, a heroic IT department can create an efficient working environment where everyone just “clicks”.
And if you add a tech partner to bring any project to fruition, these teams will be enabled to go above and beyond to solve difficult issues that threaten the success of the company, thanks to the knowledge of how to navigate different systems, stay organized, and harness new technology trends that can improve operations, while maintaining cost efficiency. This sets them apart from all other tech departments as their commitment is to take any issue head-on and provide valuable solutions that benefit their clients. With this type of mentality, mid-sized companies can get the most out of their partnerships by knowing that their IT department is up for any challenge put before them, committed to achieving maximum efficiency, good communication, and proactive attitudes without sacrificing the ability to be agile in responding to an evolving landscape.
The Key Takeaways
Nowadays, IT is the underlying linchpin in many businesses, but this job has plenty of challenges that any competent team has to navigate carefully.
The best approach for a small IT department that might not have many resources is to have the best development partners and a clear plan to ensure success in any project.
The department head of IT has a big responsibility on his or her shoulders, so being smart about how to act is what separates the adequate teams from excellent ones.
What does it mean for a developer to build a career? Requiring dedication and hard work, a career as a software developer is an incredibly rewarding path, and for those who are up for the challenge, can lead to both professional and personal growth, applying valuable skills like problem-solving, coding proficiency, and thought leadership into products that everyone can enjoy. But to build a successful career as a developer means not only gaining technical know-how but finding solutions to real-world problems through technology, innovation, and collaboration, experiencing the gratification of creating something with impact and value in the process.
In consequence, for a software developer, the importance of career growth should not be underestimated. Throughout your career, it’s essential to keep challenging yourself to stay on top of the ever-evolving tech industry, applying your knowledge and interpersonal skills to create something special, supporting (and being supported by) a community of like-minded people who understand the value and potential of software in all facets of our lives.
For these reasons, working your way up in a company can be a thrilling ride for a developer—You start by learning about the tech and code base, then finding ways to improve it, and eventually contributing to more strategic decisions. You get to know the team and the culture, which means your work has more purpose than external projects alone, offering an extended sense of belonging and the feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself. And all these without mentioning the many opportunities you have to learn from experienced colleagues and sharpen old skills as well as acquire new ones. Plus, there’s the challenge of staying ahead of rapidly changing tech, and at the end of it all, you get to know that you helped build something truly significant. It’s both exciting and rewarding! All in all, it can be an incredibly fulfilling experience for a developer to build their career with a single organization.
However, not many developers out there have the opportunity to witness first-hand the impact of their work, or build relationships with colleagues and really get to know a business culture. A dedicated developer who stays with the same organization can easily become an expert in the industry and can leverage their established expertise to push projects forward and create even more meaningful changes. Leaving more time to focuse on honing their craft and eventually leading the charge on initiatives that matter most.
Getting in touch with Scio
To better understand this, we talked with Juan Miguel Alcalá, a Lead Developer that has been part of Scio for the last 12 years, about his journey in the software industry, and how a developer like him builds a career and grows his skills in such a constantly challenging industry like software development. “Scio was my first job at a company purely dedicated to software”, he remembers. “Before that, I was part of a small IT department, where I was practically alone, so I didn’t have the chance of practicing new skills. I had to do a lot of self-learning back then, joining developers’ communities and forums to see what they talked about, which helped me decide what to focus on. That’s how I built my skill set before my first interview at Scio.”
Software development is an ever-evolving field of work that requires a developer to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, and one of the best ways to go about this is by self-learning. This process allows developers to set their own pace, as well as explore topics they are interested in while building upon basic skills, just like Juan did. Additionally, it can encourage developers to practice what they learn and troubleshoot issues on their own – skills that become invaluable on the job. Self-learning also provides flexibility to participants, allowing them to fit in coursework or investigate new tech around their schedule. All these factors make self-learning a popular approach for software developers invested in their own personal growth.
“It was thanks to these communities that I got in touch with Luis Aburto [CEO of Scio]. It was specifically a .NET community we started here in Morelia, and Luis asked about the technologies we were interested in, how we practiced, and eventually if we would like to be part of Scio. I was already thinking of trying something different, so I went for it. I was interviewed by one of the Lead Architects they had back then, and more than technical tests, he was interested in understanding how I learned and practiced new skills, how I choose, and how I kept myself up-to-date. As you can see, twelve years later, I’m still here.”
This ties into how Scio values a cultural match between developers to ensure that collaboration and communication are always top-notch and provides chances to learn plenty of hard and soft skills on-site. After all, investing in the career growth of a developer is a must for any company that wants to move forward; it not only helps your developers update their skills but also encourages them to make valuable contributions that drive innovation. Moreover, training and providing opportunities for developers will show how your software development teams are reliable, trustworthy, and adhere to industry standards. Software development is an integral part of every organization today; so it’s essential that companies invest in their developers’ career growth for long-term success.
Growth together
Of course, back in 2009, things were very different in the software industry, and Juan Miguel has witnessed over the course of more than one decade how the approach and general philosophy of development have changed. “Back then, when I first started at Scio, the Agile methodologies and SCRUM were still pretty new. In fact, Scio was one of the first software development companies in Mexico to adopt this development framework, and it was interesting to learn and apply it when I was starting as a junior. I was a self-taught person at this point, so the advantage I would have over my friends was pretty attractive.”
On that note, it’s no surprise that the Agile methodology is responsible for revolutionizing the way software development is approached today. Its flexibility and streamlined processes were game-changing when it was first introduced and still benefit teams of all sizes even more than a decade later. Emphasizing collaboration between departments, frequent feedback from clients, and the ability to adapt quickly to changes throughout the process. This allows every team to produce higher quality products much faster than previously possible, with less risk and wasted effort. With Scio’s developers no longer caught up in tedious processes (easily dividing tasks into streamlined short sprints instead), taking an iterative approach allowed them to quickly make necessary adjustments and move forward with a greater chance to learn from their peers and grow in the process. At Scio, where the best software developers in Mexico and Latin America collaborate and learn together, this approach is key. It leads to a career like no other.
“I used to have another approach to development back then, but with more people in the team, I had to learn to think about others, give feedback, and follow some well-established standards to ensure that everyone who interacted with the system I made could do it well. That, alongside being able to interact with the clients directly, and participate in the deployments, enriched what I did and how I communicated.”
At Scio, these efforts are at the core of taking the leap from Junior to Senior developer, which can seem like a daunting experience, but it’s incredibly rewarding and empowering. It requires both an investment in yourself and in your skillset to make the transition successful. Taking initiative, problem-solving, communication skills, and building strong relationships with teammates are all important components to thriving as a senior developer. And although there may be more responsibility on your plate, this is also an opportunity for greater job satisfaction and more chances to stretch yourself professionally. With these steps taken, everyone has the potential to make an impactful change.
“Eventually, it was my turn to become a Lead. I remember that it was a project for a tennis league, and I had to choose people for the team that was going to focus on that. And what you learn from this process is to pay attention to the strengths of people, which role suits them better, and how to configure the team so everyone can cover for each other during development, having the necessary expertise on every part of the project to make it successful. I think that skill is my strong suit, bringing a diverse perspective to a development process where new ideas and solutions can come constantly and from everyone.”
Final words
As you can see, working at the right company can provide an amazing journey for those who are seeking to further their careers in the software industry. A developer can experience career growth by taking on increasing responsibilities, building relationships with colleagues, and mastering skills that allow them to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of their work. It’s an exciting prospect when a person feels capable of taking on more complex problems and succeeding and it’s incredible to get to be in charge of their own projects. After all, with the right team, you can count on decent support, plentiful resources, and clear guidance that helps you acquire the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to transition into a higher-level role. On top of it all, you also get a sense of accomplishment and pride that is hard to beat. If you manage to reach this level in your job, be sure to show appreciation for the team that made it possible—it’s a journey worth celebrating!
The Key Takeaways
One of the best things about the software development experience is to grow skills and learn new approaches every day to create better products.
The journey from Junior dev to Project Lead is one of growth, challenges, and focus on your strengths, as well as how you relate with others.
At Scio, this journey consists of sharing knowledge and letting people choose their path to become well-rounded teammates you can count on.
Being part of an organization that invests in your growth as a developer is the best decision to conquer new skills and build an amazing career creating solutions and innovations in software.
Nearshore development companies are full of creative, innovative minds eager to take on new challenges on a daily basis, expanding their skill set and putting it to good use developing innovations that benefit us all. And although the main objective of these types of companies is mainly collaborating with a variety of clients to bring their ideas to fruition, many organizations like Scio sometimes also develop their own products internally for many reasons.
For example, the company might have a good idea for a product that could solve a demand or offer a solution to a specific problem that no client currently is trying to tackle, or maybe it’s a good idea to have a project that developers of all levels could contribute to, or keep busy while new clients arrive. Sometimes you even have a developer tinkering with an idea that is good enough to develop into a business idea that might benefit all in the long run.
In any case, internal projects give these developers a chance to think outside the box and work on something other than client-facing products, allowing them to stretch their legs and try new technologies and processes in a sandbox environment without risking any customer data or the reputation of their company. These kinds of ventures could also help identify areas of improvement within their existing codebase, discover untapped features or improvements that could benefit their overseas customers, be used to hone developers’ skills, and even refine the collaboration dynamics inside the company. All in all, when it comes to software, having an internal project can be a great asset for a company of any size.
In the case of Scio, this project is Pidamosde.com, a subscription-based, a platform that enables restaurants to implement a digital solution for their sales processes by offering a digital ordering system that takes care of card payments and virtual client queueing, among other things, simplifying the whole ordering process. In other words, PidamosDe helps these businesses expand their client base by having a pretty convenient and hassle-free option to order food through the Internet, which didn’t seem like a realistic option for most of them before it.
However, beyond offering a new solution to a key demographic of the restaurant business that many apps, like UberEats or Rappi, tend to ignore, or be too pricey or inconvenient to use, PidamosDe was also a learning experience for the people at Scio since its launch, with lots of interesting hurdles and learning experiences for everyone involved. For this reason, we spoke with Samuel González Lunar, a developer that has been part of the PidamosDe team for the best part of last year, to obtain a first-hand account of how these internal projects are managed, how they become what they are, and what they offer in return for the people in charge of bringing them to life.
Too many cooks spoil the app
Software development projects can quickly become bogged down with too many cooks in the kitchen. Without clear direction, team members’ efforts can be scattered, leading to wasted time from working on duplicated tasks or conflicting objectives. In addition, larger teams sometimes make it difficult for everyone’s voices to be heard, leading to resentment between members and an overall lack of cohesion. Too much input from multiple parties can also cause decision paralysis within a project, resulting in extended project duration or scope creep that could compromise key deadlines. And certainly, once he joined the project, Samuel had to make sure everything worked properly. In his words…
“Something that can get complicated is keeping a standard on the programming methodology employed on the project, as well as how to test the app. Because beyond developers, many different QA people have been involved over the years, it’s easy to lose track of all the changes made to the codebase over time. We are getting there, though, establishing a new code-review standard to make development easier in the future.”
After all, with too many people working on the same thing, it can be very difficult to have everyone pull in the same direction, and everyone’s time is stretched as they attempt to organize tasks for all the cooks in the kitchen. Software projects are complicated enough even without these issues; having ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’ will almost certainly cause headaches along the way. Samuel is certainly very familiar with cases like this, as he remembered one such challenge that was affecting one of the most important features of a platform like PidamosDe:
“We once had a bug that stopped notifications from reaching the customers. So, as it was, we needed to solve that pretty quickly. The main issue, however, was that the person who wrote the notification code was no longer at Scio, so he wasn’t available to explain what or how he did it. And the necessary documentation wasn’t around either, so I had to research and review the whole program closely to find the error and develop a solution easily and effectively. Once we did that, we had a patch ready to go in less than a day.”
However, these kinds of challenges notwithstanding, internal projects can provide a fun and creative outlet for the team. Not only do they add value to the company, but they also give staff a chance to learn new skills, collaborate on interesting ideas and work together on something that isn’t need-specific. It’s also an opportunity for the company to measure its progress and performance, by giving an in-depth look at how well its processes are working. All of this leads to greater efficiency and productivity, helping the company reach its goals easier than ever before.
Finding the collaboration groove
Developing software requires a tremendous amount of collaboration among different teams and individuals. As a software development company, it’s important to implement the right processes that foster collaboration across the board. Internal projects give a great chance to refine the way team members communicate with each other while also allowing them to become more efficient. Carving out time for an internal project allows your software development company to test out new ideas and approaches without risking the resources or reputation of an external customer’s project — plus your team gets the chance to sharpen their skills too! Internal projects offer a great advantage, providing a safe environment to experiment with new tactics, which can then be incorporated into ongoing projects.
“The Scio way of collaboration is based on mutual support, where everyone can bring you help, and you can respond, which makes collaboration a lot easier and more agile than any other. You teach and learn at the same time, which is incredibly valuable for your professional growth”, explains Samuel.“There have been cases when new people joined the PidamosDe project and used protocols that weren’t part of our standards, overwriting code that resulted in some lost work, but the workshop and courses we give today, and even a conference I did recently, help bring everyone to the same page and avoid issues like this in the future. The point is sharing your experience so everyone joining the team tackles it head on, puts their best effort, and creates something useful and unique for the customers.”
All in all, the main advantage of an internal project like PidamosDe is that it gives the team a chance to learn new technologies without affecting their client workloads. Internally developed projects also allow room for innovation and exploration, as the developers are given ample freedom to express their creativity and experiment with new approaches. Furthermore, these projects can be a great avenue for software development teams to utilize their collaboration skills; by working together on smaller endeavors. Employees can practice and perfect different ways of working that they can carry over into larger or external projects. This way, they will be well-versed in collaborating from collective experience. Plus, internal projects can have time constraints or other unique requirements; by tackling these obstacles together, a team’s communication and coordination capabilities become enhanced and primed for even better efficiency down the line.
Final words
Internal projects like PidamosDe can be great for software development companies, as they provide a fun and creative outlet for the team. Not only can these projects add value to the company, but they also give staff a chance to learn new skills, collaborate on interesting ideas and work together on something that isn’t need-specific, often resulting in amazing products that can stand on their own.
Unlike client projects, which only provide the opportunity to work on their specific requirements, internal projects give developers the freedom to explore and uncover untapped potential. With internal projects, developers can dive deep into areas that interest them and explore different approaches to solving problems. Additionally, the internal project also gives rise to great ideas that eventually become products in the market. By tweaking solutions and using processes developed for other projects, the team can come up with advanced solutions very quickly. Ultimately, all these benefits add up, not just in terms of greater profitability but in terms of learning as well. All of this makes taking on internal projects a great advantage for any development team within a software company.
The Key Takeaways
When it comes to making the most out of the talent of a software company like Scio, having an internal project can be a great idea with plenty of positive outcomes all around.
Among them, without the pressure of a client’s expectations, a company can review processes, smooth out collaboration, and even launch a product that benefits all in the long run.
However, these projects need experience and good management to achieve their goals, because a lot of people can work on it at some point, and that could create some issues to work through.
All in all, an internal project like PidamosDe offers a lot of teaching and learning opportunities that otherwise could be difficult to have with more conventional types of projects.
The start of a new year is a perfect time for reflection, self-improvement, and goal setting. For professionals in the software development industry, setting New Year’s resolutions can be an effective way to foster a growth mindset, taking on challenges and striving for targeted goals that can promote resilience and equip you with additional skills and knowledge to serve you well in your career. There are various approaches to building a growth mindset that can be applied when developing your New Year’s resolutions—identifying achievable objectives, breaking goals into smaller tasks, tracking your progress, and seeking feedback from mentors or peers will help ensure you achieve success, so the second month of the year begins, how are you seizing the opportunities the year presents to build up your growth mindset?
After all, it’s important to remember that nothing great is accomplished overnight, which is why setting realistic goals, focusing on the right skills, and cultivating a growth mindset are all essential for success within the software development industry. A growth mindset allows us to have faith in our abilities and strive towards our dreams (no matter how difficult or overwhelming they may seem) while keeping a healthy sense of balance and patience along the way. Because software development is constantly evolving, resolutions that involve honing existing skills or learning new ones will go far in terms of professional growth. With a positive attitude, realistic outlook, and dedication to a growth-oriented skill set, software developers can make 2023 their most successful year yet.
How are things going at Scio?
Aspiring software developers should keep a growth mindset in mind and use it to look back at their progress from last year. It’s normal to have moments of doubt or worry about failure, but having a growth mindset means pushing through and continuing to grow, even when things don’t work out as planned. Setting goals and making resolutions based on that mindset can be an effective way to learn new skills and further develop existing ones. For example, practicing coding in unfamiliar languages, participating in hackathons, or working through tutorials are all great ways to cultivate a growth mindset while expanding your knowledge base. Everyone has a different way of approaching and tackling these challenges, often with very specific goals in mind. That’s why we asked many of our developers at Scio how their year is going so far, what their resolutions look like right now, and what’s the approach to ensure that 2023 remains a year of growth and learning.
“It feels absolutely amazing to be able to look back at the start of January 2023 and see how much I’ve achieved with my programming resolutions this year”, reads one of the responses. “One of my original goals was to become more competent with React, and I am now knowledgeably able to develop complex web applications with JavaScript through it. Additionally, I was able to teach myself Python and use its extensive library of modules as well as integrate other libraries into some projects I’ve been involved in. This month gave me great confidence in my skills that will help me for many challenges to come.”
Here at Scio, we have talked before about the challenge and reward of a self-learning disposition, and how it has always been a core aspect of the programming culture; understanding the value of this type of experience is fundamental for an organization where a growth mindset guides everything we do. That also translates to learning at every level, regardless of your status or years of experience.
“After reflecting on the past year, I decided to take my New Year’s resolutions up a notch for 2023”, said another response from a Senior developer at Scio.“I’ve set myself the goal of becoming fluent in at least two more coding languages and to be able to troubleshoot any project that arises without issue. Additionally, I want to expand my reach online by further connecting with other developers all over the world, as well as honing my English writing and speaking skills, which always feel like they can improve. 2023 feels like a year that will be full of challenges, so I want to feel ready and raring to go.”
In other words, senior programmers may have all the technical skills they need in their field, but that doesn’t mean they should stop learning. Soft skills such as communication and collaboration, problem-solving strategies, working efficiently with difficult colleagues and customers, understanding how an organization works, and developing creative solutions – all these abilities are hugely beneficial and can take an experienced programmer to a whole new level of success. After all, as companies grow on a more international level, skills like leadership, communication, and the ability to build successful teams, it becomes more important than ever. So while it’s easy enough to coast by on technical skill alone, those who are serious about succeeding long term should genuinely invest in sharpening those non-technical abilities as well.
“As the year ended, I started reflecting on my New Year’s resolutions as a programmer. One of several achievable ones was to allocate at least an hour each day just for studying new coding languages and frameworks”, said one final answer to our question about challenges to tackle this year.“And so far, I have kept up with this resolution and it has been very rewarding – I now feel comfortable tackling any programming challenge with any language. The additional benefit is that I am starting to gain confidence in developing new software and tools we could use in the future. I knew that setting goals such as these would help me develop exponentially as a programmer – and so far, this has certainly been the case.”
Always look for opportunities to learn
It’s the start of a new year and the perfect opportunity to create good habits. For software developers, this means resolving to always seek ways to grow and improve. Developing software involves complex tasks, such as relying on research and intense problem-solving skills, so staying up-to-date on new technologies is key. By establishing a practice of routinely checking out new tutorials, and conferences and finding more holistic approaches to development tasks, you can create an objective feedback loop that helps identify weak spots in your knowledge.
Whether it be learning a new programming language, understanding database optimization better, or spending more time on code reviews, making new year’s resolutions can help developers focus on important goals that will keep them up-to-date on the latest development trends and technologies. Setting achievable goals also gives developers an additional sense of accomplishment when they can check them off their list. Moreover, taking the initiative to grow throughout the year helps developers remain ahead of the curve in a constantly growing field, which ultimately benefits both their current employers and future prospects. Ultimately, New Year’s resolutions can be a great starting point for a successful 2023.
