Silas Reinagel - Extreme Software Engineering

Jun 13, 2025 - 6 minute read

Relay Flow: The Work Pattern That Changes Everything

You know that feeling when you delegate a complex task to an AI agent, then find yourself staring at the screen for the next 20 minutes? Waiting. Refreshing. Wondering if it’s done yet. Or worse - walking away and completely forgetting about it, only to remember three hours later that you were supposed to check back.

Apr 2, 2025 - 3 minute read

The Power of the 2-Minute Rule

In today’s fast-paced world, managing our time efficiently is more crucial than ever. Amidst the myriad of productivity hacks and strategies, one simple yet transformative approach stands out: the 2-Minute Rule. This rule, part of David Allen’s renowned Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology, promises to boost productivity and reduce mental clutter by encouraging us to tackle tasks that take two minutes or less immediately. But how does this straightforward principle yield such significant results, and how can we integrate it into our daily routines for maximum benefit? Let’s dive in.

Feb 3, 2025 - 11 minute read

A Checkbox Should Change the World

When was the last time clicking a checkbox made you feel like a superhero? If you’re struggling to remember, that’s exactly the problem with modern software design. In the software industry, it seems that some companies have lost their way regarding User Interface, User Experience, and Product Design. These ideas have been hijacked, and they often don’t mean what they ought to. This results in weaker products, and poor usability. Good product design makes users powerful. Great products make it easy to do big things with small, nearly effortless actions. Clicking a checkbox on or off ought to change the world. Let me explain.

Jan 16, 2025 - 5 minute read

When Should You Have Daily Standups?

Daily Standups are a very polarizing topic in the software development world. They are a popular Agile ritual, and nearly everyone has a variety of experiences with them. In general, I have expressed strong opposition to them. However, there are a few cases where they do offer compelling value. I will tell you when and why you ought to hold daily standups.