4 min read
|
Saved February 14, 2026
|
Copied!
Do you care about this?
This article argues that many development teams fail to see productivity gains from AI because they haven't addressed fundamental bottlenecks in their processes. High-performing teams succeed by streamlining workflows and working in smaller batches, while others struggle to adapt and end up slower with AI. The author emphasizes that significant investment and commitment are necessary to build effective software development capabilities.
If you do, here's more
The author draws a parallel between the lack of tangible productivity improvements from AI-assisted coding and the Fermi Paradox, questioning why intelligent life hasn't been found if the universe is full of it. Despite over three years of AI integration in software development, there’s no evidence of increased product releases or improved business outcomes. Most development teams have not seen productivity gains; while some high-performing teams benefit from AI, many others experience a slowdown due to existing bottlenecks in their processes.
High-performing teams tend to have streamlined their development processes, focusing on continuous activities and smaller work batches. This approach allows for rapid feedback and quicker delivery to users, akin to just-in-time supply chains in supermarkets. Companies that want to achieve similar efficiencies must invest significantly—around 20-25% of their development budget—into improving their capabilities, including skills, tools, and organizational design. However, many organizations resist this kind of commitment, leading to a “Great Filter” that prevents most teams from realizing AI's potential. Those stuck in outdated practices will likely continue to face challenges, as the integration of AI won’t solve fundamental issues without addressing underlying process bottlenecks.
Questions about this article
No questions yet.