Hello! I’m Clinton and I prefer to take issues aside. From early childhood, my happiness didn’t come from unwrapping the brand new toy however from revealing its hidden secrets and techniques with a screwdriver. The will to grasp how issues work at a deep stage has animated me via a 20-year profession in software program constructing, engineering management, consulting, and expertise storytelling. I’m thrilled to carry that curiosity to Forrester in my new function as Principal Analyst for Software program Growth Companies And Developer Organizational Change.
The place Have You Been?
I began my profession in 2004 as a contract full-stack net developer within the nonprofit advocacy house, constructing lots of of internet sites and (later) cell functions for worthy causes. I additionally realized an excellent deal about Linux, object-oriented PHP (nonetheless the breakfast of champions!), and IE6 CSS hacks alongside the way in which. What fascinated me most of all was the advanced alchemy of translating human-facing necessities into machine-readable code — nonetheless a vexing drawback even within the age of agile, DevOps, and LLMs.
After a profession break (throughout which I pursued a PhD in philosophy and found a pleasure for classroom instructing and deconstructing large concepts), I spent a number of years in engineering administration for a small programs integrator constructing cloud-native functions for public-sector purchasers. This function gave me invaluable expertise with how organizational challenges (like Conway’s Legislation, yak shaving, and the challenge administration triangle — simply to call just a few of my favorites!) current themselves at scale, and the way emergent complexity causes undesired outcomes to outcome from even seemingly well-understood programs.
Most not too long ago, I spent six years as Discipline CTO at Snyk — a frontrunner within the software safety house — the place I owned strategic imaginative and prescient and thought management on the evolving relationship between developer expertise, software program danger, and AI. I had the privilege of advising executives at Fortune 50 purchasers and companions on safe fashionable software improvement. Within the course of, I’ve been a frequent convention speaker on the way forward for software program craft.
What Introduced You To Forrester?
The via line in my profession has been constructing compelling narratives about expertise and its intersection with individuals. Tales are what carry us collectively, and there has by no means been a extra crucial time for brand spanking new ideas to assist us perceive the quickly altering panorama.
What Will Be Your Analysis Space?
In my function at Forrester I’ll be focusing on:
- Fashionable software program companies, together with programs integrators, consultancies, and customized software improvement and supply.
- Lengthy-term software program accountability, together with technical debt administration, software danger mitigation, and assurance-based pricing.
- Reimagining engineering organizational construction and administration strategies for the brand new world of agentic constructing.
- The long run function and profession development of the software program developer in a panorama of commoditized code technology.
Who Are You Actually, Although?
When not at work, I’m a proud Luddite and like surrounding myself with analog applied sciences like books, vinyl information, movie cameras, typewriters, and different classic finds (that usually demand some consideration from the aforementioned screwdriver). An avid DIYer, prepare dinner, and maker, I nonetheless discover time to learn philosophy and suppose critically concerning the affect of tech and AI on human society. I dwell deep within the woods of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts with my loyal rescue beagle (and retired skilled foxhunter) Mr. Burt.
Ought to We Discuss?
Sure! Particularly if you’re a software program engineering chief within the evolution of developer expertise, the brand new worth proposition of accountability-centered software program companies, engineering profession trajectory, or the shifting danger/accountability mannequin of recent improvement groups within the agentic AI world — or for those who simply wish to geek out over info idea or advanced programs design! Let’s join: