FRONT ROW AT THE BACKEND
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In this first episode, Jan-Pieter, a DevOps engineer at Essent, and Freek, the head of software engineering, take a deep dive into agile working practices within their DevOps energy tech company. The conversation kicks off with a focus on what agile means at Essent, highlighting two key pillars: short iterations and empiricism. Freek explains how these core principles guide their day-to-day work, allowing teams to release code frequently, gather feedback quickly, and continuously improve through small, manageable experiments.
DORA METRICS
They explore the practical side of agile rituals like daily stand-ups and retrospectives, emphasizing that these aren't just "ceremonial" processes, but tools that help teams adapt and improve in real-time. One recurring theme is how teams at Essent reflect after each sprint, asking questions like, “What can we improve next time?” and “How do we make this experiment part of our workflow?” These experiments help the company stay nimble, ensuring that even small changes make a positive impact on their people, processes, and the planet.
The discussion then shifts to tools that help measure and enhance the team's performance, such as **DORA Metrics**, which provide insights into key factors like speed of delivery, frequency of deployments, and the ability to recover quickly from issues. Freek explains that metrics like these are critical for tracking progress in an agile environment, helping teams understand how well they're performing and how they can improve. Frequent releases, smaller iterations, and rapid rollback capabilities also reduce stress for the team, making it easier to fix issues when they inevitably arise.
NON FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Freek introduces the concept of **Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs)** at Essent, which are a set of guidelines developed by engineers to ensure software quality. This includes aspects like security, automated testing, and code quality. With around 61 NFRs currently in place, these are designed not to limit teams but to provide a clear framework that keeps quality and security at the forefront. The NFRs were built by a diverse group of engineers, architects, and security experts, ensuring a collaborative and well-rounded approach to defining what good software should look like at Essent.
TECH CREW
They also talk about the **Tech Crew**, a group responsible for overseeing technology decisions at Essent. Comprised mainly of engineers, along with architects and system engineers, the Tech Crew evaluates tools and processes, ensuring that teams have what they need to solve problems while avoiding unnecessary duplication across the company. Freek emphasizes that this framework doesn’t restrict teams but instead gives them the autonomy to innovate within defined guardrails. The goal is to prevent inefficiencies, like having multiple teams using different tools for the same problem, while still enabling engineers to choose the best solutions for their work.
Freek highlights how this approach fosters a culture where decisions are made by those with the most in-depth knowledge—the engineers themselves. By pushing decision-making down to the people closest to the work, Essent enables a more agile, responsive way of working, ensuring faster iterations and more impactful results.
In summary, this episode provides a deep look into how Essent leverages agile practices, DORA Metrics, NFRs, and the Tech Crew to create an environment where engineers are empowered to drive continuous improvement. By focusing on short iterations and empirical learning, the company strives to not only deliver better software but also create a more fulfilling experience for their teams.
NEXT EPISODE
In the next episode, JP and his guest will explore neurodiversity in the workplace, discussing how Essent creates an inclusive environment for both neurodiverse and neurotypical employees. Don't forget to follow the podcast, leave a review, and stay tuned for more insights into life at Essent!