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As software becomes core to nearly every industry, many leaders find themselves managing software teams — often without the preparation or support such a role requires. At AI Field Day, Calvin Hendryx-Parker, CTO of Six Feet Up, shared insights into the persistent challenges in the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and offered practical guidance for tackling them head-on.

Calvin began by highlighting a familiar frustration: that nagging sense that projects should be running more smoothly. This often points to deeper issues in the SDLC, such as siloed teams, outdated processes, or inefficient tools. Left unaddressed, these obstacles can lead to bottlenecks, technical debt, and reduced productivity.

SDLC Pain Points

Through a case study of a client with 30+ sub-organizations and disparate software teams, Calvin highlighted frequent SDLC pain points — siloed teams, absence of CI/CD practices, and inefficient onboarding. Tackling these problems, he explained, begins with understanding root causes. Calvin outlined the most common SDLC challenges—and how leaders can solve them.‍

Focus on Foundational Practices

• Optimizing productivity starts with foundational SDLC practices like CI/CD and access control. Calvin emphasized that addressing these core processes can eliminate bottlenecks, reduce technical debt, and free teams to focus on high-impact work.
  

Bridge Skill Gaps through Collaboration

• Encouraging cross-team collaboration, such as creating guilds in areas like DevOps, enhances team skills and fosters a more unified development culture. This approach supports both individual growth and collective efficiency.
  

Use Data-Driven Evaluation Tools

• Automating evaluations with surveys and visual tools like heat maps can quickly reveal areas for improvement. Calvin’s team uses a framework with 19 performance themes across four stages, providing leaders with a clear, data-backed path to target improvements.
  

Build Continuous Feedback Loops

• Creating a culture of open feedback allows team members to address SDLC issues candidly, uncovering insights that might otherwise go unnoticed. Regular feedback, combined with standardized evaluation, supports sustainable growth and optimizes team alignment.

Data-Driven Improvement

Calvin’s approach encourages leaders to look beyond technical fixes and adopt a holistic SDLC framework that includes both technical and team dynamics. By combining rapid assessments with ongoing feedback, tech leaders can create a cycle of continuous, data-driven improvement, empowering their teams and streamlining the development process.

For those looking to diagnose and resolve SDLC pain points, Calvin introduced the BEST™ Framework as a powerful, actionable solution for creating a more efficient, collaborative, and resilient SDLC.

Discover how the BEST™ Framework helped Six Feet Up enhance its own development processes. For more information on BEST, book a demo today.

Watch the 10-Minute Talk