Archive - PHX Consulting

Getting stuck on technical tasks? Not getting the support you need from your teammates? Feeling tempted to pick up some documentation or coordination…

Jul 23 •

June 2025

Estimates that build trust (not stress)

Developers hate estimates, yet we keep getting asked to create them. This should tell us something important — estimates are valuable, just not for the…

Jun 22 •

September 2023

Introvert networking

Unfortunately for us introverts, talking to people is still the best way to advance one's career. But that doesn't mean that you can't be a successful…

Sep 18, 2023 •

August 2023

The two-year rule

Junior developers are not fated to leave your organisation within two years. There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that their learning and…

Aug 29, 2023 •

The blame game: retrospective anti-patterns

We all know that we’re not supposed to blame individuals during retrospectives, but…you know…sometimes when bad things happen there’s clearly someone at…

Aug 7, 2023 •

July 2023

If you want to get positive ROI from your junior developers within 18-24 months, teach them skills. If you want to do it within 3 months or less, teach…

Jul 18, 2023 •

June 2023

Cross-contamination

Having worked with students and junior developers for the better part of a decade now, I find myself fascinated by just how much developers depend on…

Jun 26, 2023 •

Praising with faint damnation

It seems that the humble code review evolved when nobody was looking — and now we’re all struggling to catch up, whether we realise it or not. Thanks to…

Jun 5, 2023 •

May 2023

Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast

When I was first learning how to ride a motorcycle, I was so nervous about stalling the bike that I would try to execute gear changes as quickly as…

May 15, 2023 •

The group therapy session: retrospective anti-patterns

“At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective.” Sound familiar?

May 5, 2023 •

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