Essays

Transparency in AI Is a UX Problem, Not Just a Model Problem

Redesigning a SHAP-based explanation interface increased user trust calibration by 52%. AI transparency is an information design problem, not just a model architecture problem.

Building a Learning Organization When Nobody Has Time

Four patterns for embedding learning into work increased team learning from 1.2 to 4.8 hours per person monthly without reducing delivery output.

Cognitive Load Theory Applied to Sprint Planning

Applying cognitive load theory to sprint planning reduced incomplete items by 43% and developer stress by 28% by limiting engineers to 2 system contexts per sprint.

The Scope Creep Diagnosis: Why Projects Expand

Analysis of 26 projects with significant scope creep found 73% shared the same root cause: unclear decision rights about what constituted an acceptable change.

The Knowledge Management Paradox

The 15% of engineers with the most institutional knowledge contributed less than 3% of wiki content. The knowledge management paradox requires structural solutions.

Designing Systems That Survive Their Architects

Systems with comprehensive documentation maintained 94% operational effectiveness 12 months after architect departure, compared to 47% for systems relying on tribal knowledge.

Trauma, resilience, and systems: A psychological framework for building antifragile habits

dbt Changed Data Engineering. Here Is What It Got Wrong.

dbt grew from 5,000 to 40,000 organizations by 2025, transforming data engineering. But after 6 implementations, its strengths come with structural weaknesses that deserve honest assessment.

Identity and craft: What happens to professional identity when AI can do your job?

Data Contracts Are API Contracts With Better Marketing

Data contracts are API contracts applied to data interfaces. Teams with service-oriented design experience can implement them in under two weeks.