Someone Behind the Software

Each software product carries a unique essence, shaped by the experiences, values, and perspectives of its creators. The industry often treats software development as a straightforward process, with requirements, features, and performance metrics. However, the reality is more nuanced. Two teams, despite sharing similar customers and technology, can create vastly different products. This distinction lies in their understanding and approach to building the software.

At Linear, a company that values intuition over process or data, intuition is cultivated through experience and understanding. This intuition, a point of view developed over time by working on a problem, talking to customers, and learning from mistakes, becomes the soul of the product. It's what gives the software character, beyond the mere functionalities.

The journey of product development involves making choices that reflect the team's point of view. These choices, though sometimes based on personal preference, are informed by the team's experiences and learnings. The product evolves as a result of these decisions, developing a unique character that sets it apart.

However, in recent times, many products seem to be losing this distinctiveness. They are becoming collections of features, rather than cohesive entities with a unified perspective. This dilution of the product's soul occurs when teams work independently, each focusing on a small piece of the software without considering the bigger picture.

The ease of adding new capabilities often leads to this dilution. It's simpler to add new features than to rethink existing ones. As a result, each product becomes a mishmash of capabilities, lacking a unified vision. The result is a product that is functional, but lacks a sense of ownership or a clear point of view.

In an ideal scenario, understanding a problem deeply and shaping a solution that truly fits the needs would give the software a sense of personality. The creator's perspective, the person or team behind the software, should be felt in every aspect of the product. It's not just about making software that works, but about creating software that feels like it was crafted with care and understanding.