Zoom's summary of Lean Coffee May 8th 2025 and next week's session

[Leon Hewitt]

It was another great conversation last month. The June session is less than a week away. 
Link for that. Don't forget 7.30 for 7.45 (UK time)

To inspire topics for next week, here's a overview of what we chatted about last time:


Summary

Security for Critical Infrastructure Challenges

Charles shared that his paper on the future of security for critical infrastructure was accepted. The paper focused on the problems with resilience and the importance of decision-making in disaster recovery. Charles also discussed the results of a study on future trends, which highlighted AI, IoT, and quantum computing as key areas of concern. The study also revealed that human error and decision-making issues are significant factors in disaster recovery. Murray and Chris shared their experiences with similar exercises at Skype and Heathrow Airport, emphasizing the importance of understanding impacts and pushing down authorization to ensure quick action in crisis situations.

Ransomware Attack and Disaster Management

Charles discussed a ransomware attack on the West Coast of America that caused a gas pipeline to shut down due to accounting system issues. The pipeline's shutdown led to power outages and traffic congestion. Charles emphasized the importance of having a backup plan or alternative solution in case of such incidents. Murray shared his experience with disaster management in New Zealand, highlighting the importance of training the public to respond to emergencies. He also stressed the need for command and control to be pushed away during a disaster, allowing those who can fix things to do so.

Team Discusses Communication and Event Sourcing

The team touched on the subject of event sourcing and event storming, with John explaining his approach to these concepts.

Breaking Down Large Epics for Customer Value

In the meeting, Chris discussed the challenges of breaking down large epics into smaller, manageable pieces of work for customer value delivery. He sought advice on how successful teams approach this issue, particularly in relation to AI and business analysis. John questioned the importance of fitting work into a sprint and suggested that the problem might be approached from a different direction, focusing on the customer's needs and breaking down work into smaller, iterative pieces. Chris agreed, emphasizing the need to break down work into smaller, iterative pieces that can be delivered in a customer-centric manner.

Challenges in AI Software Development

Chris and John discuss the challenges of breaking down large software development tasks into manageable pieces when working with AI and LLMs. They highlight the need for a process that allows for iterative development, learning, and evolution of the system design. John emphasizes the importance of measuring the impact of work and building systems that show the cost of chaos rather than focusing on estimation. Murray points out the critical step of learning from what has been built and using that to inform future development. Chris notes that while AI can handle small tasks well, integrating larger pieces of work remains challenging. The group agrees that there's a lack of established best practices for this process in the agile community, and that Conway's Law is relevant when considering how to divide work and structure teams around system architecture.

Challenges of Large Language Models

The team discussed the challenges of using Large Language Models (LLMs) and the need for a more structured approach to their use. They acknowledged the difficulty of finding practical applications for LLMs and the importance of a learning loop to drive their development. The conversation also touched on the current state of the recruitment market, with some team members expressing concerns about the availability of contract work and the impact of tariffs on smaller tech companies.

Uncertainty in Business Amid AI and Tariffs

The team discussed the uncertain business environment due to AI and tariffs. Chris highlighted the need to learn about AI, even if it's not the most appealing topic, as it's becoming a crucial aspect of the workforce. Murray pointed out that the adoption of new technologies is uneven, with some companies leading the way while others are still using outdated methods. Jim shared his thoughts on the value of craftsmanship and the dilution of trades in the face of AI and tariffs. Anthony emphasized the potential devastating impact of tariffs on the film and TV producing industry. The team agreed that the current time is one of great uncertainty and that they should hold on to their skills and knowledge.

Decentralized Systems and AI Tools

The team discussed the vulnerability of decentralized systems to external control, drawing parallels with historical examples. They also touched on the potential of AI tools in enhancing processes, emphasizing the importance of understanding and monitoring the connections between these tools. The conversation shifted to the impact of political decisions on business strategies, with a focus on the role of AI in cost reduction. The team agreed on the need for discipline and structure in software development to effectively utilize AI tools. The conversation ended with a call for everyone to learn more about AI to avoid being misled by superficial knowledge.

[Tim Dobson]

As I say to myself every month, I'll try to come to this one.

I'm just saying this out loud now, in the hope it'll make me plan my life so I make it. :)

Thanks for sending these emails.

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