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Episode #2 - Would You Build a House Without Plans? Then Don’t Build Software Without This
07/18/2025
Episode #2 - Would You Build a House Without Plans? Then Don’t Build Software Without This
In this episode of Ctrl Alt Dev, Paul Rhodes and Sean Sale discuss the critical importance of charging for specifications, also known as paid discovery, in software development. They explore how this practice protects both clients and developers by ensuring clarity and alignment on project goals. Through various analogies, including the architect analogy, they emphasize the necessity of a structured discovery phase to avoid misunderstandings and costly mistakes. The conversation also touches on the evolution of software development practices, the human element in discovery, and the importance of aligning values with clients for successful long-term partnerships. Takeaways Charging for discovery protects both clients and developers. Free quotes often lead to vague specifications and scope creep. The architect analogy illustrates the importance of planning. Discovery should focus on outcomes, not just outputs. The human element in discovery is irreplaceable by AI. Ctrl Alt Dev is a podcast for software founders, digital leaders and curious builders navigating the fast-changing world of tech, AI, and business. Hosted by two veteran tech founders, Paul Rhodes & Sean Sale. each episode cuts through the hype with honest conversations, sharp war stories, and frameworks that actually work. Expect real talk on pricing, project chaos, automation, and scaling, all designed to help you build smarter, lead better, and stay sane. Paul and Sean can be found here: Paul Rhodes - 01527306370 Sean Sale - 0121 2851047
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