Before code: 4 steps for smarter software development

Learn a 4-step approach to smarter software development and deliver lasting value

Every great engineer knows that success doesn’t come from just writing code, it’s about building systems that endure and deliver real value. Companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon have mastered the art of deliberate planning, turning ideas into impactful systems. Want to join the ranks of engineers who create with purpose?

This 4-step guide will show you how to plan smarter, build better, and deliver value. If you master the skills in this guide, you will become a multiplier builder, whether you're creating for yourself or on the job.

Step 1: Understand the Problem (Start With 'Why')

Before diving into writing code, we need to understand why we are doing this, what problem we are trying to solve. Getting these insights will allow you to evaluate the solution, add your input, or maybe argue that the proposed solution won't solve the problem and suggest a different solution.

Start with asking questions like:

• What problem are we solving?

• Who benefits from the solution?

• What is the impact of not solving this problem?

This clear understanding sets the foundation for you to understand what it is that we are trying to achieve and evaluate the effectiveness of the solution proposed, whether it will solve the problem at hand. Understanding the impact that will allow you to have a strong argument working on valuable items instead if it has more impact.

Step 2: Collaborate and Align

One of the important steps that gets missed all the time. The consequences of missing this can be severe: wasted time, unnecessary rework, and a final product that fails to meet its intended purpose.

To avoid this you should discuss with stakeholders to gather requirements, and ask about details. Make sure to think about constraints and edge cases.

At the end of this step, you should have a clear understanding of the following

• What happens if the input is unexpected?

  • Examples: Empty, invalid, or extremely large values.

• How does the system behave under high load or failure conditions?

  • Scenarios: Simulate heavy user traffic or resource limitations.

• What external factors could introduce variability?

  • Examples: Third-party APIs, fluctuating network conditions, or unexpected dependencies.

• What analytics events should be tracked?

  • Ensure key metrics are identified (e.g., success rates, failure patterns).

  • Determine whether to include an A/B test to evaluate feature impact or user behavior.

There should be a consensus between you and the stakeholders on what is going to be built.

Step 3: Translate High-Level Plans into Actionable Steps

Once you have alignment on the high-level plan, it's time to break it into smaller, manageable tasks. Translating an abstract idea into a clear roadmap is crucial to avoid confusion and ensure consistent progress.

How to Break It Down

1. Divide and Conquer:
   Break down the feature or project into logical phases, components, or milestones. Each should represent a distinct piece of work that adds value or aligns with a specific objective.

2. Define SMART Tasks:
   Make each subtask Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART). For example, instead of "Add authentication," create smaller tasks like "Implement login API," "Create UI for login page," and "Integrate OAuth."

3. Identify Dependencies:
   Understand the sequence of tasks—what needs to happen first, and what can be done in parallel. This helps prioritize work effectively and prevents bottlenecks.

4. Plan for Edge Cases:
   Include tasks for testing unexpected inputs, performance under load, and integration with external systems.

At the end of this step, you should have:

• A detailed list of tasks or subtasks organized by priority and dependency.

• Clear milestones for tracking progress and keeping stakeholders updated on steps, dependencies, and timeline.

Step 4: Create the Design Document

To prevent unnecessary rework, delays, and frustration, create a thorough design document. have team members review it, and accept and discuss feedback in a kind-hearted manner.

To create a design document, I usually follow this thought process.

1. Define the Project Overview and Goals: Start by summarizing the project’s goals, objectives, and scope, including what's in and out of scope. Clearly articulate the problem the project solves and the specific outcomes you're aiming to achieve. This step ensures everyone understands both the what and why, aligning the team on the purpose and intended results.

2. Find Dependencies, and Outline the Technical Approach: Identify task dependencies, and highlight potential risks and challenges. Detail the system architecture, components, and data flow. Include how different components interact, how you will deal with dependencies and the tools you will use.

3. Security and Performance Considerations: Identify security measures, scalability, and performance strategies to ensure the system’s robustness and long-term viability.

4. Testing Strategy: Outline the types of testing (unit tests, integration tests, UAT) and tools or frameworks you will use to ensure quality.

5. Timeline and Milestones: Provide a clear project timeline with key milestones and deadlines, breaking the project into manageable phases or sprints.

Make sure your solutions is broken down to subtasks that follow the SMART method (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)

Once the Document is ready, you can share it with stakeholders where they will review, provide feedback, and be aligned on the approach. Once the solution is approved, you can move to the execution part.

Conclusion: Plan Smarter, Engineer Better

Engineering isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about solving the right problems effectively and building systems that endure. By following this six-step framework, you can become an engineer who creates meaningful, lasting impact.

Recap:

1. Understand the Problem: Start with 'Why' to ensure alignment with real needs.

2. Collaborate and Align: Plan thoroughly and bring everyone on board.

3. Break It Down: Translate high-level plans into actionable steps.

4. Create the Design Document: Build systems that grow and adapt.

Shift your mindset from output-focused to outcome-focused engineering. Start implementing these steps in your daily workflows today, and take the first step toward becoming a smarter, more effective engineer.