I’ve seen it happen too many times:
A brilliant dev team spends 3 months building a perfect scalable architecture for a problem the business hasn't even validated yet.
The result? A technical masterpiece that nobody uses.
In the startup world, code is a liability until it’s solving a business problem. Here’s why your software should follow your business - not the other way around.
Code is a Tool, Not the Product
Your customers don't care if you're using Clean Architecture or a messy monolith. They care if the button works and solves their pain. If the business pivots (which it will), your code needs to be flexible enough to follow - not so rigid that it blocks the move.
The "Over-Engineering" Trap
We often build for 1 million users when we only have 10. That’s "Software leading the Business." Instead, build for the business reality of today.
It’s better to have a successful business with "messy" code than a failed startup with "perfect" code.
Communication > Syntax
A Senior Developer’s job isn't just writing functions; it’s understanding the Business Model. If you don't know how your company makes money, you can't write effective software for it.
Conclusion
Stop asking 'How can we build this?' and start asking 'Should we build this?' Let the business goals drive the git commits.
Originally shared in a more casual, local context (Malay) on my blog: Read the original here. I'm curious — have you ever worked at a place where the tech dictated the business? Let's discuss below!
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