Simplicity as a Superpower • Sarah Taraporewalla • YOW! 2023

This presentation was recorded at YOW! Perth 2023. #GOTOcon #YOW Sarah Taraporewalla - Principal Technologist at Thoughtworks Australia @thoughtworks ORIGINAL TALK TITLE Simplicity as a Superpower: Navigating the Complexity Maze in Software Development RESOURCES ABSTRACT In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, complexity is all around us. As software developers, we often find ourselves dealing with complex systems, intricate requirements, and ever-changing technologies. Surprisingly, it is the pursuit of simplicity that often proves to be the most challenging aspect of our work. In this thought-provoking talk, we dive deep into the concept of simplicity and explore why it can be more difficult to achieve than we might initially think. By examining real-world examples and drawing from the speaker’s experience, we explore how our inherent biases, our love for intricate solutions, and the allure of complexity often blind us to the elegance and power of simplicity. We discuss how simplicity enhances maintainability, reduces cognitive load, and leads to more robust and resilient systems. We also explore the psychological aspects behind our affinity for complexity and how we can overcome the barriers that prevent us from simplifying our solutions. You will leave with practical strategies and techniques that can help you embrace simplicity in your day-to-day work. From the art of minimalism in code to the importance of clear communication and design, we uncover actionable steps that can guide us towards simpler, more elegant solutions. Challenge your assumptions, question the status quo, and emerge with a renewed appreciation for the intricate dance between complexity and simplicity. [...] TIMECODES 00:00 Intro 04:25 Agenda 05:32 Part 1: Dealing with complexity in the real world 09:45 Part 2: Consequences of not simplifying 13:39 Part 3: How die we get here? 19:15 Part 4: The ways it creeps into our world & what to do about it 41:10 Outro Download slides and read the full abstract here: RECOMMENDED BOOKS Mary & Tom Poppendieck • Lean Software Development • Ron Kohavi, Ya Xu, Diane Tang • Trustworthy Online Controlled Experiments • Simon Brown • Software Architecture for Developers Vol. 2 • David Farley • Modern Software Engineering • Dave Farley & Jez Humble • Continuous Delivery • Woods, Erder & Pureur • Continuous Architecture in Practice • George Fairbanks • Just Enough Software Architecture • #Bias #CognitiveBiases #Simplicity #Complexity #CognitiveLoad #Generalist #Specialist #SarahTaraporewalla #YOWcon Looking for a unique learning experience? Attend the next GOTO conference near you! Get your ticket at Sign up for updates and specials at SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL - new videos posted almost daily.