Ponderings on Tomas Malmsten.com

Visualising informal influence

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Visualising informal influence

Where we look at how we can uncover undisclosed power lines and influence structures in our projects and workplaces to aid our software design.

Many have written and talked about how social structures in organisations influences the software we create. From Conway’s Law¹ to Domain Driven Design², and Diana Montalion’s book Learning Systems Thinking³. But I have so far not seen anyone write about how we can discover the implicit relationships we have that also play a role in design.

Every day resistance to the system

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Every day resistance to the system

Where we discover that growing things is actually a form of political activism.

Subtraction over addition when making changes

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Subtraction over addition when making changes

Where we consider the value of removing thing rather than adding things.

Software Design is an Exercise in Human Relationships

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Software Design is an Exercise in Human Relationships

Where we dive into the core of software design, the people.

The importance of direction

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The importance of direction

Where we look closer at the value of going towards something over moving away from something.

On growing software

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 00:00:00 +0000

On growing software

Where we delve into the similarities between gardening and making software.

Why doesn't Agile work

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Why doesn’t Agile work

Where we look closer at the things stopping us from doing agile as it was intended.

Above my pay grade

Sun, 17 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Above my pay grade

Where we ponder the small lies we keep telling ourselves and the impact they have.

Logical view and ¿developer view?

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Logical view and ¿developer view?

Where we ponder the irrationalities of old.

Why is Legacy Code so important?

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Why is Legacy Code so important?

Where we take a close look at the value of code that scares us.