Sustainable Engineering
Culture
Mike Gehard
Software Engineer, Boulder
mgehard@pivotallabs.com
@pivotallabs
@mikegehard
Sustainable
• able to be used without being completely used
up or destroyed

• involving methods that do not completely use up
or destroy natural resources

• able to last or continue for a long time

2
Culture
• the beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular
society, group, place, or time

• a way of thinking, behaving, or working that
exists in a place or organization (such as a
business)

• what happens when no one is looking (unknown)

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/theknowlesgallery

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/talaakso

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DETAILS

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PREDICTABILITY

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72213316@N00

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LOW BUG COUNT

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31031835@N08

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SUSTAINABILITY

http://www.flickr.com/photos/72213316@N00

9
Sustainable Culture = (Transparency
+ Communication) * Discipline

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Transparent
• able to be seen through
• easy to notice or understand
• honest and open, not secretive

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Communication

• an act or instance of transmitting 
• a process by which information is exchanged

between individuals through a common system
of symbols, signs, or behavior

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WE STAND

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WE STAND

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WE PAIR

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VISIBLE WORKLOAD

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KEEP CUSTOMERS CLOSE

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56594044@N06

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RETROSPECTIVES
Discipline
• control that is gained by requiring that rules or
orders be obeyed and punishing bad behavior

• a way of behaving that shows a willingness to
obey rules or orders

• orderly conduct as a result of training

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/56594044@N06

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PAIR, ALL THE TIME

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TAKE OUR BREAKS
WE

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HIRE FOR FIT
OUR DAY
• 08:45 Breakfast
• 09:05 All Hands Standup
• 09:15 Team Standups
• Lunch noon-ish
• Ping pong at will
• Done around 18:00* (*your mileage may vary)

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BURNING MIDNIGHT OIL

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dasqfamily
Sustainable Culture = (Transparency
+ Communication) * Discipline

27
THANK YOU
!

• Mike Gehard
• Software Engineer
• mgehard@pivotallabs.com
• @pivotallabs
• @mikegehard
!
!
!

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Sustainable developmentwithoutninjas