Three great reads for this week

Engineering antipatterns, the past and future of UX Research and WTF is strategy?

How To Create a Brittle Engineering Organization (Aviv Ben-Yosef)
I like anti-patterns! This piece dissects the subtle ways engineering cultures can become fragile. It's not just about technical debt; it's about how communication, decision-making, and even well-intentioned processes can create brittle systems. Identifying these patterns early is crucial. You'll recognize the signs, like over-reliance on a few individuals or fear-driven development. The author suggests practical steps to foster resilience, emphasizing transparency and distributed ownership. Understanding these dynamics helps build a robust team that can adapt to rapid change. (7 minutes read)

The UX Research Reckoning is Here (Judd Antin)
There’s been a lot of talk about the “future of Design,” especially in the context of AI full stack software engineering tools (see this LinkedIn post and conversation). That’s why this several-year-old article remains relevant. While UXR and product design are different disciplines, they do overlap. The author highlights the need for researchers to move beyond simply delivering insights and to become strategic partners closer to the actual delivery of the product. This means understanding business goals, advocating for user needs, and influencing product strategy. Especially worth reading if you’re leading Design as a non-designer. (8 minutes read)

WTF is Strategy? (Adam Fishman)
In my experience, it’s difficult for startups to move forward without an articulated strategy: a vision, a market, milestones to reach that vision, and a set of values and rubrics to help with decisionmaking. In his usual (funny) style, Adam cuts through the noise around strategy, focusing on the essential elements that truly matter. It's a reminder that great strategy isn't about complex frameworks or executive offsites. It's about making clear choices, understanding your customer, and aligning your team around a focused vision…and winning. You'll walk away with a practical framework to help you draft your strategy. (22 minute read.)