Mastering Scope Creep: Navigating the Hidden Challenges in Software Development
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
Release Date: 08/29/2024
Prove Your MVP: The Founder Playbook for a Strong First Launch (with Angelo Zanetti)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
If you’re building a new app or software product, your biggest risk usually isn’t “bad code.” It’s building the wrong thing, shipping it with a shaky first impression, and then wondering why growth never shows up. In this episode of Building Better Developers, Angelo Zanetti breaks it down into a simple founder goal: prove your MVP—prove the problem is real, prove the solution is worth paying for, and prove you can deliver value without burning your runway. About Angelo Zanetti Angelo Zanetti is the co-founder and CEO of Elemental, a South African-based software...
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Tiered Pricing in the AI Era: What Actually Works (with Dan Balcauski)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
Tiered pricing is becoming the simplest way to sell AI-powered SaaS without turning your pricing page into a technical explanation. In my interview with Dan Balcauski, founder and Chief Pricing Officer at Product Tranquility, we talked about why AI is forcing new pricing decisions earlier than ever—and why “good, better, best” packaging often works because it keeps buying decisions clear while helping companies manage real AI costs. The AI era is making pricing margin-aware again. Tiered pricing helps you protect margins without forcing buyers to learn your cost...
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Minimal Viable Pricing: How to Stop Guessing and Start Learning (with Dan Balcauski)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
Minimal viable pricing is the fastest way to stop debating what your product should cost and start learning what customers will actually pay for. In my interview with Dan Balcauski, founder and Chief Pricing Officer at Product Tranquility, we talked about how early-stage teams can set pricing that’s “good enough” to sell, validate value, and iterate—without getting stuck chasing the perfect number. Pricing can feel risky because it shapes perception, positioning, and revenue. But Dan’s message is practical: you don’t need perfect pricing to move forward—you need minimal viable...
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Workflow Efficiency Metrics: ROI Without Micromanaging (Michael Toguchi)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
If you want real improvement—not just more dashboards—workflow efficiency metrics have to start with something most teams avoid: visibility. In Part 2 of our interview with Michael Toguchi, we move from “big ideas” into the operational reality leaders face every day: shadow tools, duplicate systems, fuzzy ROI, and the pricing pressure that shows up when AI makes work faster. This conversation is a reality check for ops leaders, engineering leaders, and consultants trying to scale without drowning in tool sprawl—or measuring productivity in ways that break trust. Workflow...
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Process Before Tools: How to Scale Without Burnout (Michael Toguchi)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
If you’ve ever felt like your team is running on duct tape and good intentions, you’re not alone. In this Building Better Developers interview, Michael Toguchi (Chief Strategy Officer at eResources) makes a simple point that changes how you approach growth: process before tools. Before you buy another platform, automate another workflow, or roll out a new system, you need clarity on how the work actually gets done—and who it’s meant to serve. You can’t tool your way out of chaos. The real fix starts upstream—before the migration, before the CRM, before the next sprint. It starts...
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Conversion Rate Optimization: Find Funnel Bottlenecks and Improve What Matters
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
You validated the idea. You built the page. Maybe you’re even getting traffic. And yet… the conversions don’t match the effort. In Part 2 of our interview with Samir ElKamouny, we shift from “prove the concept” to conversion rate optimization—the discipline of diagnosing what’s actually limiting growth and improving the parts of your funnel that matter most. This isn’t about chasing shiny marketing tactics. It’s about execution: the kind that turns a funnel from “pretty good” into “predictable.” About Samir ElKamouny Samir ElKamouny is an entrepreneur...
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Market Validation Strategy: Stop Building in the Dark—Validate Your Idea First
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
If you’re a developer or founder, you already know how to build. The hard part is building the right thing, for the right people, at the right time. In Part 1 of our interview with Samir ElKamouny, we dig into a practical market validation strategy that helps you avoid the most expensive mistake in software: investing months of effort into something the market didn’t ask for. Samir’s message is refreshingly grounded: big ideas are great, but execution is everything. And execution doesn’t start with code—it starts with clarity, research, and small tests that tell you whether...
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New Year, New Momentum: What Developers Can Look Forward to in 2026
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
New Year’s Day hits different when you’re recording with a live studio audience, passing the mic around, and starting the year with a mix of laughs, honest reflection, and big goals. In this Building Better Developers special episode, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche kick off 2026 by sharing a “good thing / bad thing” recap from a recent Christmas party—then opening the floor to the team to talk about the New Year developer goals. It’s casual, it’s real, and it’s a reminder that growth (personal and professional) usually starts with clarity. Michael’s 2026 New...
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2025 Year-End Reflection for Developers: AI Hype, Layoffs, and What’s Next
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
It’s New Year’s Eve-Eve, and instead of recording from our usual virtual setups, we did something we’ve talked about for years: we hit record in the same room. If you’re watching on YouTube, you can actually see us together. If you’re listening on audio, you’ll just have to trust us—this one was in-person. In this special episode of Building Better Developers (our Building Better Foundations season), we keep it simple: a Year-End Reflection for Developers. What are we ready to leave behind from this year? What do we want to carry into the next one? And what’s the reality...
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Year-End Reset for Developers: A Pre-Christmas Check-In to Finish Strong
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
The week before Christmas has a way of exposing how the year really went. Deadlines either slow down or pile up, calendars get messy, and the pressure to “wrap everything up” shows up at the same time you’re trying to enjoy the season. In this Pre-Christmas episode of Building Better Developers, and keep it practical: looking back on the year, calling out what worked (and what didn’t), and sharing why a year-end reset for developers is the best way to prepare for a better new year. Why a Year-End Reset for Developers Matters A year-end reset for developers isn’t just...
info_outlineWelcome back to the Building Better Developers Podcast, where we continue to explore the developer journey—from novice to expert—focusing on practical skills and mindset shifts that turn good developers into great ones. In this episode, we dive deep into a critical topic that affects developers at every stage of their careers: scope creep, requirements management, and defining what it means to be “done.”
Understanding Scope Creep
Scope creep is a familiar challenge in software development. It occurs when the project’s scope expands beyond its original boundaries, often leading to cost overruns and missed deadlines. However, scope creep isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. We discuss its nuances and how it can be misinterpreted in different contexts.
A key point is the distinction between adding new features and uncovering missed requirements. Sometimes, what seems like a new feature is a previously unidentified requirement. This distinction is crucial because it changes how the issue should be addressed. If a requirement was missed initially, it’s not just a case of scope creep; it’s a flaw in the original project planning.
The Importance of Clear Requirements
Our discussion emphasizes the critical role of clear, well-defined requirements in avoiding scope creep. Poorly defined or incomplete requirements are a primary cause of scope creep. If a developer assumes they understand the requirements without fully clarifying them, they risk building something that doesn’t meet the project’s needs. This leads to delays, additional costs, and frustration on both sides.
We suggest a proactive approach to gathering and refining requirements to mitigate this. Developers should always ask questions, clarify any ambiguities, and ensure they understand the entire process or system they are working on. This diligence can prevent many of the issues that lead to scope creep later in the project.
Defining “Done”
We discussed the concept of “done” as another crucial aspect of project management. In Agile methodologies, “done” should be clearly defined and agreed upon by all stakeholders before work begins. This includes not only completing the required features but also ensuring they function correctly and meet all specified requirements.
It is also important to break down larger projects into smaller, manageable pieces. This allows developers to deliver incremental progress and ensures that each stage meets the definition of “done” before moving on to the next. By doing so, developers can avoid the pitfalls of monolithic projects, where the definition of “done” becomes blurred, leading to scope creep and other issues.
Avoiding Self-Imposed Scope Creep
We also touched on a lesser-discussed form of scope creep: self-imposed scope creep. This happens when developers add features or enhancements that were not part of the original requirements simply because they believe these additions would improve the project. While well-intentioned, this can lead to missed deadlines and dissatisfaction from clients who didn’t ask for these “extras.”
The advice here is clear: stick to the requirements. Developers should focus on delivering what was agreed upon and avoid the temptation to add unnecessary features. This discipline ensures that projects stay on track and meet the client’s expectations.
The Role of Testing in Managing Scope Creep
Testing plays a vital role in managing scope creep and ensuring that the project stays on course. Michael encourages developers to adopt a test-driven approach where possible. By starting with the end product in mind and testing each stage against the defined requirements, developers can catch potential issues early and avoid costly rework later.
Final Thoughts
The episode wraps up by reinforcing the idea that being a better developer isn’t just about writing good code quickly. It’s about understanding the broader context of the project, asking the right questions, and managing both the technical and non-technical aspects of development effectively. By doing so, developers can avoid the common pitfalls of scope creep, deliver projects on time, and meet (or exceed) client expectations.
In conclusion, managing scope creep, clarifying requirements, and defining what “done” means are essential skills for developers at any level. As you continue your journey in software development, keep these principles in mind to build better code and better projects overall.
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We invite you to join our community and share your coding journey with us. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting, there’s always room to learn and grow together. Contact us at info@develpreneur.com with your questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, let’s continue exploring the exciting world of software development.