About this Video

• Video Title: Conscious Software Development | Episode 310
• Channel: CorneliusFichtner
• Speakers: Cornelius Fichtner, Michael Smith
• Duration: 00:30:41

Introduction

This podcast episode discusses conscious software development (CSD), exploring its definition, relevance to project management, and connection to current global shifts in consciousness. The interviewee, Michael Smith, offers practical tips for project managers to foster consciousness within themselves and their teams.

Key Takeaways

• Defining Conscious Software Development (CSD): CSD involves heightened awareness of every software development step, from hiring to project approval, and utilizing both logical and intuitive thinking. It challenges traditional "zombie programming" and project management approaches.
• CSD and Project Management: Project managers can apply CSD by being mindful of requirements alignment with organizational strategy, improving virtual team management, ensuring team cohesion, and innovating project planning methods. Agile methodologies are highlighted as aligning with CSD principles.
• Global Shifts in Consciousness: The interview suggests CSD is part of a broader societal shift toward greater consciousness, emphasizing human values in the workplace. This involves embracing uncertainty, co-creation, and utilizing the insights of team members at all levels.
• Fostering Consciousness: Practical tips include meditation, spending time in nature, and consciously choosing responses to situations rather than reacting automatically. The importance of positive and inclusive language in team interactions is also stressed.
• The Conscious Software Development TeleSummit: Michael Smith created this telesummit to share insights from various experts on CSD, reflecting a growing interest in the topic.

According to Michael Smith, many software projects fail to succeed in delivering on time and within budget, and users often don't even utilize the finished software. Stakeholders may also be unhappy, and deployment may be problematic. He argues that a key issue is a lack of consciousness—project teams are often not fully aware of their options and default to familiar, potentially ineffective, methods ("zombie programming" and "zombie project management"). CSD aims to address this by fostering awareness of issues and possibilities, enabling better choices.

Michael Smith defines conscious software development (CSD) as a two-pronged approach. First, it involves bringing more awareness to each step of the software development process, starting with hiring and extending to requirements gathering and project greenlighting. Second, it encourages using both the logical (left-brain) and intuitive (right-brain) aspects of thinking, recognizing the role of gut feeling and experience, particularly in people and politics management, in addition to traditional logical approaches. He contrasts this with the conventional view of software development as solely a left-brain activity.

Michael Smith offers several ways project managers can incorporate consciousness into their daily work:

• Requirements Process: Be more aware of whether requirements align with the organization's strategic plan. Many projects fail because this crucial connection is missing.

• Virtual Team Management: Consciously consider how to best run virtual meetings and keep remote team members engaged and working in the same direction.

• Team Cohesion: Actively address issues of team disharmony and subconscious sabotage, ensuring everyone is working towards the same project goals.

• Project Planning: Explore alternative project planning methods instead of relying on the same old ways. This could involve diverse approaches, from paper-based systems to specialized software.

• Agile Integration: Leverage Agile principles to co-create solutions with the team rather than dictating tasks, fostering a collaborative and conscious approach.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Ensure customers and stakeholders are actively involved throughout the project, not just at the end, valuing their feedback.

• Self-Awareness: Pay attention to stress levels in oneself and the team, remaining open to alternative approaches to alleviate pressure. Regularly reflect on lessons learned from past projects.

• High-Level Consciousness: Be present, consider options before acting, and avoid autopilot mode. Include both logical and intuitive ("gut feeling") thinking in decision-making.

Michael Smith connects conscious software development to broader global shifts in consciousness occurring across various life aspects—work, family, politics, and religion. He sees these changes as potentially disruptive but navigable with increased self-awareness. Applying consciousness to software development, for him, is a microcosm of this larger trend, emphasizing human values and collaboration in the workplace. He contrasts projects characterized by frantic work and stress with those fostering a more peaceful and collaborative environment, viewing CSD as a way to create more positive and fulfilling work experiences. Furthermore, he notes that making changes in one area of life, such as work practices, can have ripple effects into other areas.

Michael Smith suggests these tips to foster consciousness in oneself and one's team:

1. Meditation: Practice meditation, acknowledging that it's normal for distracting thoughts to arise.

2. Nature: Spend time in nature—a short walk, a hike, etc.—to create mental space and reduce busyness.

3. Mindful Response: When a crisis or challenging situation occurs, pause and consciously choose your response instead of reacting automatically.

4. Positive Language: Replace the word "but" with "and" in team communications to foster collaboration and avoid negating previously stated ideas.

5. Mindful Meetings: Begin team meetings with a brief moment of breathing and presence to improve focus and participation.