Awkward Engineer - Blog

The AwkEng Doesn't Believe in Requirements Docs

Hi all, Here's a contrarian opinion, but when practicing product development, I don't think you should be using requirements documents at all. This...

The Awkward Engineer and The Grounding Procedure

Hi all! Today's post is a bit on the nerdy side, but with the dry winter air in New England, I'm reminded of some old on-the-job training I receive...

Buyer's Delight

Hi all, Short post today. I want to introduce a term I call "buyer's delight". Buyer's delight is simply the opposite of buyer's remorse. I ...

The AwkEng Encounters the Spousal Veto (part Deux)

The AwkEng Encounters the Spousal Veto (part Deux)

Hi all, In a previous post, I wrote about how my best ideas were often killed in their nascent state. Typically, I'll brief the chairperson of my e...

Ideas for the AwkEng to Try (If anyone would let him!)

Hi all! Today's post shares some management ideas I'd like to try (if only anyone would let me). I don't have any pressing needs or problems which ...

The AwkEng Cooking Cheat Sheet v2

The AwkEng Cooking Cheat Sheet v2

Hi all! Today's post is an update to my cooking cheat sheet. This revision was inspired by a colleague, who told me she had a list of 40 or 50 meal...

The AwkEng Makes a Chrome Extension and Experiments on Himself

Hi all! Today's post is seeking like minded Gmail/Hacker News/NY Times readers (3 of my top 4 most frequented websites. I'm still working on Reddi...

The AwkEng Estimates Things

The AwkEng Estimates Things

Hi all! Today's post is about an estimation technique that I like. I'm not sure this particularly variation has a name, so I'll call it Wideband De...

The AwkEng Tries a Different Approach

The AwkEng Tries a Different Approach

Hi all, In my previous post, I shared some of the things I've learned talking to people about their struggles with internet and phone use. In this ...

The AwkEng Flexes Some UX Research Muscles and Asks More Questions

Hi all! This post is about developing my UX research skills and how I've practiced those skills to learn about internet/phone addiction. In short, ...

The AwkEng Breaks Down User Stories

Hi all, Today's post is to share some previously developed training material about working collaboratively with product management, design, and eng...

Mini Newspaper Mini Update and a Book Report

Hi all! Today's post is a mini update on the mini-newspaper and then a book report. Progress After writing about staying offline last week, I made ...