# Dean Hume I'm a Technical Program Manager at Xbox Game Studios. I write about technical leadership, developer tools, and making great games. This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## What a Technical Program Manager actually does DevFeed: [What a Technical Program Manager actually does]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2026-09-14T15:54:31Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [Software Engineering]() Tags: [delivery](), [dependency](), [engineering](), [execution](), [meetings](), [ownership](), [project](), [software-engineering](), [teams](), [technical](), [technical-program-manager]() ### AI overview This article explains the role of a Technical Program Manager, focusing on the gaps between engineering teams, explicit ownership, cross-team dependencies, and proactive identification of release-blocking problems. ### Source excerpt What does a Technical Program Manager actually do? A look at the gaps they fill, the decisions they chase, and the reactive vs proactive split. ## Why Short AI Coding Prompts Can Cost You More Time DevFeed: [Why Short AI Coding Prompts Can Cost You More Time]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2026-09-03T09:17:56Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [Prompt Engineering](), [ai-coding](), [GitHub Copilot](), [Artificial Intelligence](), [Agent Harness](), [GitHub Copilot CLI](), [Testing]() Tags: [agent-harness](), [ai](), [ai-coding](), [coding](), [copilot](), [github-copilot](), [prompt](), [testing]() ### AI overview This opinion article connects GitHub Copilot team's findings about compressing tool output with everyday AI coding prompts. It argues that optimizing a visible step, such as shortening a response or prompt, can increase total time and cost when missing details force follow-up questions, reruns, or recovery work. It recommends giving coding assistants the full problem and relevant source material, and treating instruction files carefully because rewriting guidance can change agent behavior. ### Source excerpt Ever tried to save time by keeping a prompt short - only to spend the next ten minutes answering follow-up questions because the AI didn't have what it needed? Yeah, me too. I recently came across a really interesting post from the GitHub Copilot team about making ## Why Readiness Should Be a Habit, Not a Final Gate DevFeed: [Why Readiness Should Be a Habit, Not a Final Gate]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2026-08-03T08:41:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [Testing](), [Software](), [systems](), [bug](), [Network](), [API]() Tags: [api](), [bug](), [game-development](), [habits](), [launches](), [network](), [quality](), [teams](), [technical-leadership](), [technical-program-manager](), [testing]() ### AI overview The article argues that software quality is established through everyday team habits rather than a final testing phase. It emphasizes defining expected behavior for interruptions and failures early, instead of labeling unspecified behavior as bugs during release pressure. ### Source excerpt Quality isn't decided in the final review. The teams with the smoothest launches built it through daily habits, long before anyone thought about a release date. ## A Maturity Matrix for Game Development DevFeed: [A Maturity Matrix for Game Development]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2026-07-21T09:21:57Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [Game Development](), [Software Engineering](), [Development]() Tags: [best-practices](), [build](), [engineering](), [game-development](), [performance](), [profiling](), [software-engineering]() ### AI overview The article presents a maturity matrix for game development teams, adapting the author's earlier software-engineering framework. It uses Red, Amber, and Green ratings to assess practices and identify priorities, including build pipeline health and performance profiling culture. ### Source excerpt A few years ago, I wrote about using a Maturity Matrix to assess software engineering teams. The idea was simple - what does a great team look like, and how honestly can you measure yourself against that picture? Since then, I've moved into the gaming industry. Anyone who has ## Why Technical Program Managers Matter as AI Reshapes Engineering Teams DevFeed: [Why Technical Program Managers Matter as AI Reshapes Engineering Teams]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2026-06-29T10:27:25Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [structure](), [Artificial Intelligence](), [Tech Lead](), [Software]() Tags: [ai](), [article](), [engineering-management](), [game-development](), [software](), [teams](), [tech-lead](), [technical-leadership](), [technical-program-manager]() ### AI overview The article argues that as AI reshapes engineering organizations and teams become smaller, Technical Program Managers can coordinate dependencies, cross-functional delivery risks, and roadmap-to-capacity alignment across multiple teams. ### Source excerpt As AI shrinks engineering teams and the EM role splits in two, the Technical Program Manager could be the most overlooked answer hiding in plain sight. ## Meeting Notes - A Free Desktop App for Tracking 1:1s DevFeed: [Meeting Notes - A Free Desktop App for Tracking 1:1s]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2026-06-29T10:16:48Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [App](), [meetings](), [Local-First](), [asr](), [Whisper](), [Open Source](), [Markdown]() Tags: [app](), [autosave](), [desktop](), [free](), [meetings](), [notes](), [offline](), [on-device](), [open-source](), [recording](), [speech-to-text](), [technical-leadership](), [technical-program-manager](), [whisper](), [writing]() ### AI overview The article introduces Meeting Notes, a free, open-source Windows desktop app for organizing 1:1 notes by person. It supports topic tags, Markdown, autosave, voice recording, and offline speech-to-text using Whisper, with data and audio kept on the device. ### Source excerpt Meeting Notes is a free offline desktop app for 1:1s. Organise notes by person, tag topics, and transcribe meetings on-device with Whisper. ## Building a Custom MCP Server with Node.js DevFeed: [Building a Custom MCP Server with Node.js]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2026-06-04T10:01:24Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [Model Context Protocol](), [MCP Server](), [Node.js](), [SDKs](), [JSON]() Tags: [ai](), [api](), [building](), [json](), [mcp](), [mcp-server](), [model-context-protocol](), [node-js]() ### AI overview A practical tutorial on building a custom Model Context Protocol server from scratch with Node.js. It explains how MCP connects AI assistants such as Claude to external data sources and tools, then uses a bin collection reminder system backed by JSON data as the example. ### Source excerpt Ever wished your AI assistant actually knew your stuff? Your files, your schedule, or even a custom data source? That's exactly what the Model Context Protocol (MCP) makes possible. MCP is an open standard for connecting AI assistants like Claude to external data sources and tools. Think of ## Technical Skills Every Technical Program Manager Should Learn in 2026 DevFeed: [Technical Skills Every Technical Program Manager Should Learn in 2026]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2026-05-05T14:12:37Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [Development](), [Architecture & Design](), [Cloud](), [CI/CD](), [Containers](), [systems](), [Testing](), [Serverless](), [dashboards](), [Artificial Intelligence]() Tags: [architecture](), [ci-cd](), [cloud](), [code](), [containers](), [dashboards](), [engineering](), [learn](), [manager](), [technical](), [technical-program-manager]() ### AI overview A practical guide to technical skills for Technical Program Managers in 2026. It covers understanding system architecture, APIs, queues, microservices, cloud concepts, development workflows, testing, logs, and dashboards so TPMs can plan and collaborate more effectively with engineering teams. ### Source excerpt The technical skills every TPM needs in 2026 from cloud basics to AI agents and governance. A practical guide to staying close to the tech. ## PowerToys Advanced Paste supports plain text, Markdown, JSON, and file pasting DevFeed: [PowerToys Advanced Paste supports plain text, Markdown, JSON, and file pasting]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2026-04-28T16:15:22Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [Microsoft PowerToys](), [JSON](), [Markdown](), [Artificial Intelligence]() Tags: [json](), [markdown](), [powertoys](), [technical-program-manager](), [text]() ### AI overview This article explains how PowerToys Advanced Paste can transform clipboard content into plain text, Markdown, JSON, or a file. It presents the tool as a way to reduce formatting cleanup and convert content between formats. ### Source excerpt PowerToys Advanced Paste transforms your clipboard - paste as plain text, Markdown, JSON, extract text from images, and reformat content with AI. ## How I Use PowerToys Workspaces to Switch Contexts in Two Clicks 🫰 DevFeed: [How I Use PowerToys Workspaces to Switch Contexts in Two Clicks 🫰]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2026-03-12T14:32:13Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [Microsoft PowerToys](), [Windows](), [Utility Software](), [Command-line interface](), [vs-code](), [Edge](), [Terminal]() Tags: [cli](), [command-line](), [desktop](), [edge](), [powertoys](), [technical-program-manager](), [terminal](), [vs-code](), [windows](), [writing]() ### AI overview A practical guide to using Microsoft PowerToys Workspaces to save Windows app layouts and launch configured desktop setups quickly. It explains workspace creation, desktop shortcuts, and command-line arguments for apps such as VS Code and Edge. ### Source excerpt Tired of arranging windows every morning? PowerToys Workspaces launches your ideal Windows desktop management setup with two clicks 🫰. ## Staying Technical as a Technical Program Manager DevFeed: [Staying Technical as a Technical Program Manager]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2026-02-18T11:39:39Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [Development](), [coding](), [engineering-culture](), [Raspberry Pi](), [Scripting]() Tags: [code](), [development](), [engineering](), [game-development](), [habits](), [hardware](), [learn](), [practices](), [scripting](), [skills](), [technical](), [technical-leadership]() ### AI overview A Technical Program Manager shares practical habits for staying technically sharp while managing programs, including occasional coding, writing technical content, following technology blogs, and building hands-on side projects. ### Source excerpt Learn practical ways Technical Program Managers can stay technical - daily habits, internal engineering practices, and hands-on routines that keep skills sharp while leading programs at scale. ## Backup Buddy: A Simple Tool to Backup Your Website Content DevFeed: [Backup Buddy: A Simple Tool to Backup Your Website Content]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2025-12-01T12:33:06Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [Tool](), [Website](), [Markdown](), [Command-line interface](), [HTML](), [static-site-generator](), [Git](), [Hugo](), [Jekyll]() Tags: [backup](), [command-line](), [export](), [git](), [how-to](), [hugo](), [jekyll](), [offline](), [portable](), [release](), [static-site-generator](), [tool](), [website]() ### AI overview Backup Buddy is a command-line tool that backs up website content by using a sitemap to download pages, convert HTML to Markdown, and save images and videos locally. The article explains its use for offline reading, migration, search, sharing, and Git version control. ### Source excerpt Have you ever wanted to create a backup of your website or blog? Maybe you're migrating to a new platform, or perhaps you just want a portable archive of your content that you can read offline. I've previously experienced issues with this site going down and ## From Crash to Resolution: A Practical Guide for Xbox & Windows Developers DevFeed: [From Crash to Resolution: A Practical Guide for Xbox & Windows Developers]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2025-11-24T10:08:19Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [Windows](), [Xbox](), [App](), [Tool]() Tags: [crash](), [developers](), [diagnose](), [game-development](), [guide](), [practical](), [tools](), [windows](), [workflows](), [xbox]() ### AI overview The author describes an article about diagnosing and resolving app crashes on Xbox and Windows, sharing practical tips, tools, and workflows for developers building games or apps. ### Source excerpt If you've ever had an app crash at the worst possible moment, you'll know how frustrating it can be - both for developers and players. Recently, I wrote an article for the Microsoft Developer blog that dives deep into this exact challenge: how to diagnose and resolve ## A Modern Guide to Using OAuth 2.0 with C# and Visual Studio Code DevFeed: [A Modern Guide to Using OAuth 2.0 with C# and Visual Studio Code]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2025-11-03T10:45:24Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [OAuth 2.0](), [C#](), [Visual Studio Code](), [.NET](), [Entra ID](), [API](), [Authorization]() Tags: [api](), [best-practices](), [c-sharp](), [code](), [entra-id](), [net](), [oauth](), [oauth-2-0](), [tutorial](), [visual-studio-code]() ### AI overview A practical tutorial on implementing OAuth 2.0 authentication in C# with Visual Studio Code and modern .NET libraries. It covers creating a console application, configuring OAuth settings, acquiring access tokens with MSAL, and calling protected APIs such as Microsoft Graph. ### Source excerpt Master OAuth 2.0 in .NET 9.0! This tutorial covers using OAuth 2 to acquire tokens and access Microsoft Graph user data. ## HTML Minifier: A 12-Year Journey Building and Maintaining an Open Source Tool DevFeed: [HTML Minifier: A 12-Year Journey Building and Maintaining an Open Source Tool]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Dean Hume Published: 2025-10-30T14:49:50Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Dean Hume]() Topics: [HTML](), [Web](), [Open Source](), [ASP.NET](), [Angular](), [build tools]() Tags: [angular](), [asp-net](), [build-tools](), [html](), [journey](), [open-source](), [performance](), [web-performance]() ### AI overview The author reflects on developing and maintaining an open-source HTML Minifier over 12 years. The tool reduces HTML size by removing unnecessary whitespace, line breaks, and comments, and evolved with framework compatibility, recursive scanning, multi-file support, line-length controls, and performance metrics. ### Source excerpt Discover the 12-year journey behind HTML Minifier an open source tool that helped developers optimize web performance and reduce page load times.