Hacker News Reader

Comment by gumby | Hacker News Reader

Should be named "Software Startup CTO's Handbook"

There's a lot of good management advice to be had that applies to tech startups in which software is a very small part of the technical product or infrastructure.

Such a book can't be written by one person alone, but this could be the kernel of such a book. I've worked in the last 30 years exclusively in tech startups (or as they are called these days, "deep tech", bletch) and there are important model commonalities across software, cloud, networking, pharma, mechanical, consumer electronics, and chemistry as much as there are of course significant differences. The key is the word "startup" which implies "fast moving / high growth" compared to "normal" companies in those sectors, even when it takes five years to get to product.

View on HN

Author here!

Such a book can't be written by one person alone, but this could be the kernel of such a book

Completely agree, and that's my dream for the book.

Should be named "Software Startup CTO's Handbook"

I struggled a lot with the title -- good point that it lacks the specific software reference, that should be perhaps be incorporated somehow. "Startup" as well as also important to me, as I agree, size matters and changes how you evaluate trade-offs. Implicit in the word "startup" is that time is your most valuable resource, and much of the advice in the book is based on that assumption.

These days the language has become so debased that any new business or small business is called a “startup” (and of course they have to be “tech” startups even if they just sell organic oats online — real example).

I’d set the ground rules up front so people who don’t want a high-growth business (and I see complains about that on this site which is fine) can stop reading. Likewise if your business doesn’t need the CTO function (even if they are still a four-person startup) then you can stop reading.

If your dream for your book is to be about tech startups (in the actual meaning of the two words) I’d partner up with someone else from a different domain relatively soon, then expand the scope again after you’ve got edition 1 done. And call it the “Tech Startup CTO’s Handbook”. What about the folks making semiconductors?

Appreciate the feedback. I think you've nailed something with the phrase "Tech Startup", feels more precise and universally understood/aligned with what the book is about.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com