Arttu Viljakainen, a software development consultant from Finland

What is a software development consultant?

To me it is a person who has a wide understanding of software development, and can help others to improve their process of building digital solutions.

As Block wrote in Flawless Consulting, consultants are in a unique position as they don't have vested interests in problem solving. I honestly feel I have been able to do better work focusing on outcomes, when working as an "outsider". I wrote down some of my thoughts on consulting.

Coding

I’ve been coding for a living for 15 years, and writing code for 25 years. I intend to keep on doing that.

Teamwork

Teams are essential in creating software: combining interdisciplinary skills in a way that makes the whole more than the sum of each individual. Team forms an entity that is something more. I study teams and enhance my skills of making them better.

Processes

Software happens in a complex world, in which you can’t predict the future. That’s why we have agile. I think it is essential to understand the difference between complicated and complex environments, and act accordingly. Agile never looks the same, and how to make it work is interesting.

Team first

I’m fully aware that this is a lot to a single person - after all, that is why we have people with different skills in our teams: to have that deep knowledge and combine it with skills of others to form a team that can do wonders.

Still, I have accepted that my subjects of interests vary, and I find it difficult to focus on just one area.

That makes me a generalist. I can't get as deep as someone focusing on a single area, but I hope I can see the big picture and understand the connections between different areas, and be helpful in that way.

I focus on improving each team I join.