My engineering Principles for Complex Projects
Start with belief Believe you can solve it. Confidence isn't arrogance, sometimes it's all you have left.
Engineering is about understanding At its core, engineering is about solving problems, and you can't solve what you don't understand. Take time to read code, explore systems, and build mental models before jumping to solutions.
Don't fear the work Don't be afraid of breaking things, and don't be afraid of code. Progress requires experimentation, and experimentation means things will break.
Embrace the paradox of complexity Complexity is both the enemy and the goal. Fight unnecessary complexity ruthlessly, but accept that solving hard problems sometimes requires building intricate systems. Know the difference.
When under pressure, work systematically Time is always limited, but panic won't help. Read the terminal first, then prioritize fixes based on root causes, not just what feels familiar. Methodical beats frantic every time.
Thoughtful supervision matters Without active oversight, systems inevitably break down. Whether reviewing a teammate's work or AI output, one unread prompt or overlooked detail can cause permanent damage or block future progress.
Value your work Charge for the job, don't be shy. Your work begins the moment you accept the project, not when you start writing code. That simple solution might have taken hours of research, failed attempts, and hard won understanding. If you solved the problem, that's enough. Your expertise has worth, even when the solution looks simple.