# Crafting Tech Teams Unlock the Untapped Potential of Your Engineering Team. Master yourself and rid yourself of limiting beliefs. Become the leader worthy of a high performing team. Learn how to build the right things at the right time with proven industry practices This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## TDD & Commit: Is unit testing harmful? What about Rework/Refactoring? DevFeed: [TDD & Commit: Is unit testing harmful? What about Rework/Refactoring?]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-07-26T06:54:19Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Test-driven development](), [Testing](), [Refactoring](), [Unit testing]() Tags: [refactoring](), [tdd](), [testing](), [unit-testing](), [video]() ### AI overview A video talk examines how test-driven development relates to unit testing, refactoring, rework, and commit practices. It argues that testing problems usually stem from unclear intent, churn, poor test design, or misplaced tests rather than TDD itself. ### Source excerpt A recording from Denis Čahuk's live video ## TDD, TBD, Dynamic Teaming: What would a great CTO do? DevFeed: [TDD, TBD, Dynamic Teaming: What would a great CTO do?]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-07-25T10:42:13Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Test-driven development](), [Testing](), [Development](), [Agile]() Tags: [agile](), [leadership](), [legacy](), [metrics](), [mocking](), [tdd](), [team](), [testing]() ### AI overview This webinar connects test-driven development with dynamic team structures, trunk-based development, onboarding, and technical leadership. It argues that TDD and clear design seams can reduce onboarding friction, while measurement choices such as story points and pull-request counts influence team behavior and may obscure change friction. ### Source excerpt You're a CTO overwhelmed with improvement initiatives and pressure from your product team to stop with the Agile nonsense and just ship things. How do you balance your focus and execution? ## Should TDD be Mandatory? Why are so few teams using it? DevFeed: [Should TDD be Mandatory? Why are so few teams using it?]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-07-24T13:33:16Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Test-driven development](), [engineering-culture](), [Testing]() Tags: [culture](), [engineering](), [experimentation](), [tdd](), [testing]() ### AI overview This article argues that TDD should neither be mandatory nor banned. Successful adoption depends more on psychological safety, cultural buy-in, team autonomy, and room for experimentation than on enforcement. It also presents TDD as a way to support earlier feedback and safer delivery under change. ### Source excerpt Popularity is not a good measure for quality. The best litmus test for engineering culture is an ongoing effort to learn and experiment with a small part of your bets. ## TDD: Getting out of the never-tester mindset DevFeed: [TDD: Getting out of the never-tester mindset]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-07-23T07:10:16Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Test-driven development](), [Testing](), [Mocking]() Tags: [coaching](), [gatekeeping](), [tdd](), [team](), [testing]() ### AI overview This session examines why developers and teams struggle to adopt test-driven development. It argues that testing resistance often comes from systemic blockers such as gatekeeping, fragile delivery processes, limited psychological safety, and unclear testing goals. It presents coaching questions and emphasizes that TDD cannot overcome a dysfunctional working context on its own. ### Source excerpt Teams often lose the testing battle before it has begun due to their in-grained identity as not-testers or being in a certain camp: TDD, anti-TDD, old-school, new-age, vibe coder, etc. ## Understanding Mocks, Stubs, Fakes, and Shunts in Test-Driven Development DevFeed: [Understanding Mocks, Stubs, Fakes, and Shunts in Test-Driven Development]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-07-21T08:05:36Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Mocking](), [Test-driven development](), [Testing]() Tags: [mocking](), [tdd](), [testing](), [tests](), [video]() ### AI overview A recording from Denis Čahuk's live video explains the differences between mocks, stubs, fakes, and shunts, and examines how overusing or misunderstanding test doubles can create tangled tests. It discusses testing outgoing commands with mocks and how difficult mocking setups may indicate design problems. ### Source excerpt A recording from Denis Čahuk's live video ## How Mocking Affects Software Design and Testability DevFeed: [How Mocking Affects Software Design and Testability]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-07-19T07:45:14Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Mocking](), [Testing](), [Test-driven development](), [Refactoring](), [test-coverage]() Tags: [coverage](), [mocking](), [mongodb](), [refactoring](), [tdd](), [testing]() ### AI overview A recorded talk examines when mocks are useful, common misconceptions about mocking and TDD, and how excessive or poorly chosen mocks can constrain software design and testability. It discusses multi-mock tests, database mocking, and designing narrow seams around dependencies. ### Source excerpt If you've ever felt like your tests get in the way of refactoring, or like mocks make everything harder rather than simpler this stream is for you. ## ☀ While I'm out: A 6-part deep dive on TDD, engineering culture and leadership DevFeed: [☀ While I'm out: A 6-part deep dive on TDD, engineering culture and leadership]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-07-17T14:03:59Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Test-driven development](), [Testing](), [engineering-culture]() Tags: [engineering-culture](), [leadership](), [mocking](), [tdd](), [testing](), [unit-testing]() ### AI overview The author announces a six-part Substack series based on earlier coaching streams and webinars. The series covers testing, mocking, TDD, engineering culture, team dynamics, and leadership, with posts scheduled from July 19 through July 26. ### Source excerpt A Summer Deep-Dive on Testing, Design, and Teams from our previous webinars and coaching streams. ## Mocking Frameworks May Mask Design Problems DevFeed: [Mocking Frameworks May Mask Design Problems]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-06-12T12:54:42Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Mocking](), [Frameworks]() Tags: [frameworks](), [mocking]() ### AI overview This commentary argues that teams may use mocking frameworks to save time while overlooking underlying design problems. It presents mocking as a temporary workaround that can conceal poor design decisions. ### Source excerpt Engineers glamorously flock to using mocking frameworks as a solution to saving time. In reality it is a band-aid provided by framework authors, baiting teams to ignore their subpar design decisions. ## Our Tech Journey Update & Planning DevFeed: [Our Tech Journey Update & Planning]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-04-02T09:36:57Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [AI Agent](), [Artificial Intelligence](), [Continuous Deployment (CD)](), [Test-driven development](), [Code review]() Tags: [ai](), [ai-agent](), [code-review](), [continuous-deployment](), [tdd](), [tech](), [update](), [video]() ### AI overview The article outlines a 10-week live content plan covering AI assistance for tech businesses, AI agent setups, development workflows, testing, deployment, code review, and the economics of AI in product engineering. It also provides streaming platforms and scheduling information. ### Source excerpt A recording from Denis Čahuk's live video ## Clean Code Discussion DevFeed: [Clean Code Discussion]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-03-06T15:10:02Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [clean-code](), [Test-driven development](), [Testing](), [Refactoring](), [Code quality](), [Tooling](), [legacy]() Tags: [clean-code](), [code-quality](), [legacy](), [refactoring](), [tdd](), [testing](), [tooling]() ### AI overview A recording of a live discussion about Clean Code and Test-Driven Development. The speakers examine testing challenges, test smells, refactoring, tooling, code-quality practices, TDD adoption, team practices, event modeling, and legacy systems. ### Source excerpt A recording from Denis Čahuk's live video ## TDD Schools Discussion DevFeed: [TDD Schools Discussion]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-02-19T13:58:16Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Test-driven development]() Tags: [live](), [recording](), [tdd](), [video]() ### AI overview A recording from Denis Čahuk's live video about TDD schools. ### Source excerpt A recording from Denis Čahuk's live video ## Why Would you Write Tests before Code? DevFeed: [Why Would you Write Tests before Code?]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-02-13T17:42:58Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Test-driven development](), [Testing](), [Software Engineering]() Tags: [development](), [monitoring](), [performance-testing](), [tdd](), [testing](), [unit-testing]() ### AI overview The article explains test-driven development as writing tests before implementation to create refactoring capability early. It distinguishes capability testing, which verifies intended feature behavior, from regression testing, which records unexpected user-replicated behavior, and argues that TDD adoption depends more on a mindset shift toward higher-quality delivery than on additional workshops. ### Source excerpt The Test-Driven Elephant In The Room ## Test-driven Development, Clean Code, Teamwork DevFeed: [Test-driven Development, Clean Code, Teamwork]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-02-12T10:42:59Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Test-driven development](), [clean-code](), [Development]() Tags: [clean-code](), [development](), [tdd](), [teamwork]() ### AI overview A recorded live video discusses test-driven development, clean code, and teamwork conflicts, including practical TDD adoption, cultural shifts, incremental quality improvements, prioritization, resistance, and sustainable change. ### Source excerpt A recording from Denis Čahuk's live video ## TDD February 2025 Agenda DevFeed: [TDD February 2025 Agenda]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-02-03T15:48:33Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Test-driven development](), [Testing](), [Mocking](), [Development]() Tags: [2025](), [mocking](), [nextjs](), [tdd](), [testing]() ### AI overview A February 2025 agenda for TDD-related events, including talks on self-testing code, a new TDD booklet release, reaction streams, live chats, and a session on test-driven development with Next.js. ### Source excerpt What you can expect and goodies! ## Take Part in TDD February 2025 DevFeed: [Take Part in TDD February 2025]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-01-31T21:35:50Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Test-driven development](), [Development](), [test]() Tags: [2025](), [development](), [event-sourcing](), [tdd](), [test](), [tests]() ### AI overview An invitation to participate in TDD February 2025 through the Transport Tycoon DDD/ES Kata. The article suggests exercises for leaders, engineers, and advanced participants, including writing acceptance criteria, solving tasks with and without TDD, developing incrementally, and sharing results. ### Source excerpt The future belongs to those who prepare for it today. ## Breaking the Never-Tester Mindset Around Testing Practices DevFeed: [Breaking the Never-Tester Mindset Around Testing Practices]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-01-27T12:39:23Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Testing](), [engineering-culture]() Tags: [engineering](), [how-to](), [learn](), [testing]() ### AI overview The article presents a mindset shift for moving beyond resistance to testing-related investments and practices. ### Source excerpt Learn to break from the angst and FUD regarding testing-adjacent investments and practices with a simple mindset shift ## 2024 Wrapped: Newsletter, Coaching, Books DevFeed: [2024 Wrapped: Newsletter, Coaching, Books]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2025-01-10T15:58:20Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [engineering-culture](), [CI/CD](), [Microservice](), [Testing](), [Publishing]() Tags: [articles](), [continuous-delivery](), [contribution](), [engineering-culture](), [software-architecture](), [testing]() ### AI overview A 2024 retrospective covering the author's newsletter, coaching, training, video and streaming activity, conference participation, book contribution, and community projects. It reports audience and activity metrics, including 63 Substack posts, 125,000 Substack views, 223 coaching sessions, and increased video watch hours. ### Source excerpt Big wins in 2024: Coaching and Training, Meeting Kent Beck, Dave Farley, Sander Hoogendoorn, Speaking at conferences, Book Contribution, Youtube Channel Success, groCTO ## Power struggles and long-term strategy in startups DevFeed: [Power struggles and long-term strategy in startups]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Denis Čahuk Published: 2024-12-30T14:44:46Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Crafting Tech Teams]() Topics: [Tech Debt](), [Software Engineering](), [Agile](), [Self-organizing Team]() Tags: [agile](), [case-studies](), [collaboration](), [communication](), [complexity](), [cto](), [engineering](), [leadership](), [management](), [pitfalls](), [project-management](), [recommendations](), [roadmaps](), [safety](), [software-development](), [startups](), [team-dynamics](), [tech-debt]() ### AI overview This podcast discussion examines power struggles, short-term thinking, technical debt, and operational inefficiencies in startups and scale-ups. It covers team dynamics, project management, unplanned work, communication, psychological safety, and aligning engineering efforts with business goals. ### Source excerpt Mario Tomić, fractional CTO joined Adrian Stanek and Denis Čahuk for an exchange of situational studies and examples of power struggles and lack of long term strategy in startups. Highlights below 👇