We all love a good success story—how teams implemented cutting-edge solutions, improved performance, or achieved incredible results. These stories are inspiring, sure, but they only tell one side of the coin. What about the failures, the missteps, and the moments we aren’t exactly proud of? Those moments often hold the greatest lessons. So let’s switch it up for a change and talk about our mistakes—the things that made us pause, reflect, and ultimately grow.
Mistake #3: Changing without proper analysis
TL;DR: If it works, don’t try to fix it—unless you have a solid plan.
On one project, we decided to overhaul the folder structure. The existing structure had worked for years, but the team wanted to try something new. The decision was close to a tie, but we moved forward with the change anyway. Initially, it made sense; files were easier to locate, and the logic seemed sound. But as the solution grew, it quickly became unmanageable.
Without sufficient time or budget to clean up the mess, the structure became a source of frustration. As the project was handed off to new developers, each attempt to “fix” it added more complexity. While the project was eventually discontinued for other reasons, no one looked back fondly on that structure.
This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try new things—we absolutely should. But changes should be properly analyzed, documented, and agreed upon by the entire team. A little foresight can save a lot of headaches.
Conclusion
Let’s face it—mistakes are a part of life in software development. They’re not just bumps in the road; they’re opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow. By reflecting on past missteps, we can spot patterns and implement strategies to avoid repeating them. Whether it’s knowing when to upgrade, carefully analyzing changes, or deciding when to trust established tools, these lessons help us make smarter decisions.
At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to avoid mistakes entirely—that’s impossible. Instead, it’s about making better choices as we move forward. By sharing our failures as openly as our successes, we contribute to a culture of learning and growth—for our teams, our projects, and the broader developer community. And isn’t that what progress is all about?
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Architect