Coding vs. Developing: What AI Reveals About Developer Growth
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
Release Date: 06/10/2025
Price With Confidence: Estimation Made Simple
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit their earlier discussion on “” and explore how AI helps sharpen project pricing. The theme is clear: estimation is less about numbers and more about setting expectations. Developers who learn to price with confidence gain credibility, avoid stress, and build long-term client relationships. Why You Must Price With Confidence Estimation impacts far more than budgets. A clear, honest number builds trust and predictability. Vague requirements like “integrate with multiple systems”...
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Code Consistency for Better Software
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
As the Building Better Developers with AI season nears its close, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit a topic every team faces but few get right: code consistency. In this episode, they explore how shared conventions, smart tooling, and simple documentation transform messy projects into scalable, high-quality systems. The Hidden Cost of Inconsistency Picture opening a project where every file tells a different story: mixed naming styles, conflicting error handling, and folders arranged on a whim. Before you can fix a bug or add a feature, you’re lost in formatting chaos. ...
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Demo-Driven Development: Build Better Software with Faster Feedback
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit a classic topic: . This time, they reframe it through the lens of demo-driven development, exploring how lightweight prototypes align teams, validate ideas, and reduce costly missteps. What is Demo-Driven Development? Demo-driven development utilizes interactive prototypes early in the lifecycle to demonstrate how an application might function before coding begins. These demos link wireframes or screens together into a simple, clickable flow. Low fidelity: Basic wireframes to...
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Revisiting User Stories: Writing Better User Stories for Successful Projects
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this season of Building Better Developers with AI, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit a past topic: '.' This episode offers a fresh perspective on how teams can achieve greater success by writing better user stories. The hosts initially tackled this subject in an earlier season, but they return to it because the challenge remains timeless: poorly written user stories continue to derail software projects. This time, they dive deeper into lessons learned, customer-centric approaches, and frameworks that make user stories truly work. Why Writing Better User Stories...
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Conquering Tough Coding Challenges: Proven Strategies Every Developer Needs
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit one of their most memorable past discussions: “” That earlier conversation explored the “opposite of the happy path”—those frustrating moments where unclear requirements, unrealistic expectations, or hidden bugs make coding feel nearly impossible. Now, with the help of AI prompts and fresh anecdotes, the hosts take a lighthearted but practical look at how developers can survive tough coding challenges and even grow stronger through them. Revisiting Past Tough Coding...
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Enhancing Developer Productivity: Proven Skills, Tools, and Mindsets for Success
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit an earlier conversation: “” This time, they explore how AI and modern practices shape the discussion. The takeaway: enhancing developer productivity isn’t just about tools—it’s about habits, problem-solving, and continuous growth. 🎉 Thank You for 900 Episodes! This episode marks a huge milestone — our 900th episode of Building Better Developers. We couldn’t have done it without our amazing listeners, readers, and community. Your support keeps us inspired to...
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Developer Career Growth: Breaking Through Stagnation
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
The Building Better Developers with AI podcast continues its season of revisiting past episodes with fresh insights. In this discussion, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit the classic topic of breaking through career plateaus and reframe it through the lens of developer career growth. The original shared practical strategies for accelerating progress. This version adds AI-driven perspectives, personal stories, and a reminder that developers must be intentional about growth in a rapidly evolving industry. Recognizing Developer Career Growth Roadblocks Career plateaus are...
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Developer Performance Made Easy: Smart Strategies to Get More Done Daily
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit another one of their popular topics: developer performance. Originally explored in the episode “” the discussion now receives an AI-powered refresh, bringing new insights into how developers can enhance their output, sustain energy, and prevent burnout. Why Developer Performance Is Harder Than Ever Distractions have only increased since the original discussion. Slack messages, meetings, and endless browser tabs compete for attention. As Rob points out, context switching...
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Revisiting “Done” in Agile: Why a Clear Definition Matters More Than You Think
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit their earlier discussion on . They explain why “done” must mean more than “I finished coding,” and they show how a shared Definition of Done (DoD) keeps teams aligned and projects on schedule. What Does “Done” Really Mean? In Agile, “Done” extends beyond writing code. It often includes: Passing unit and integration tests Receiving QA approval Deploying to staging or production Updating documentation Securing acceptance sign-off Without a clear,...
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Scope Creep Explained: Causes, Consequences, and How to Prevent It
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit one of the most persistent challenges in software projects: scope creep. Using AI prompts, we revisit a past episode on “” In that discussion, we explored what scope creep is, why it happens, and how to prevent it from stalling projects, draining teams, and eroding trust. Today, we’re building on that conversation with fresh insights and practical strategies. Listen to the full episode for more real-world stories and practical strategies to keep your projects on track. What Is...
info_outlineWelcome to a fresh season of the Building Better Developers podcast—Building Better Developers with AI. In this AI-assisted episode, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit a fan-favorite discussion, now viewed through a modern lens. The focus? The transformation in mindset and skills involved in the journey of coding vs. developing.
“We’re feeding past seasons into AI—and seeing where it takes us.” – Rob Broadhead
Coding vs. Developing: Shifting the Mindset
At the heart of becoming a developer, not just a coder, is a shift in mindset—coders complete tasks. Developers solve problems. AI reinforces this by highlighting the importance of outcome ownership rather than task completion. This is one of the most essential transitions from a coder to a developer.
“A developer doesn’t just solve the problem—they find the best way to solve it.” – Rob
Michael notes that while time and budget can constrain developers, understanding the purpose behind the task is what separates coding vs. developing.
Problem Framing in Coding vs. Developing
Developers don’t jump into code. They ask questions, define success criteria, and understand the "why." Michael discusses how reading and challenging ticket requirements upfront is critical to producing valuable outcomes, a significant step in your development journey.
“Clarifying requirements early avoids disaster later.” – Michael
Pattern Recognition and Abstraction in Software Development
Great developers look for patterns they can abstract and reuse. Whether it's a function, a test module, or a reusable page object, this step is a defining trait of developing over coding. Rob links this to product creation, citing examples of tools that evolved from personal needs.
Michael adds perspective from testing, showing how modular thinking and reusable components streamline the development lifecycle—another key difference between a developer and a coder.
Product Thinking and Collaboration
Another significant leap in the evolution of coding versus developing is thinking like a product owner. Developers who consider user interactions, usability, and feedback loops offer far more value. Rob emphasizes that collaboration with non-technical teams is essential.
“You can’t build a successful product in a silo.” – Rob
Michael notes this is one area where AI currently falls short—human empathy and cross-functional understanding still matter.
Innovation Through Constraints and Debugging
Developers thrive under constraints. Rob encourages listeners to view limitations, such as time and budget, as opportunities for creativity. He also highlights debugging as a learning opportunity—a true hallmark of coding vs. developing.
“If you hate debugging, development may not be for you.” – Rob
Feedback Loops and Developer Growth
Modern developers rely on data and feedback—logs, metrics, user behavior—to iterate and improve. Rob champions a mindset of "release, observe, learn, improve." This continuous loop separates developers from coders, highlighting the core difference between coding and developing.
Final Thought: Coding vs. Developing for Business Success
The season opener wraps with reminders that technology is just a tool. Developers think critically, adapt, and aim to solve business problems—not just write code. That’s the essence of coding vs. developing.
“You're solving a problem—not playing with a shiny new tool.” – Rob
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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 [email protected] with your questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, let’s continue exploring the exciting world of software development.