Build Software That Actually Solves Problems

I’ve been doing this for 25 years as a developer, manager, and UX designer. And here’s what I’ve learned: the hardest part of software development isn’t the code. It’s figuring out what to build in the first place.

This is the skill that quietly separates good developers from great ones. Not in bootcamps, not in CS degrees, not in those framework tutorials does anyone really teach you this. Everyone shows you HOW to build. Nobody shows you WHAT to build.

The Challenge We All Face

Here’s what I see all the time: talented developers building features that don’t quite land with users. Teams rewriting legacy software, unsure whether they’re making real improvements. Project managers trying to make sense of endless feature requests, wondering which ones truly matter.

AI makes this skill more valuable than ever. You can now build things incredibly fast, which is wonderful. But it also means the real challenge has shifted. The bottleneck isn’t coding anymore, it’s knowing what’s worth building.

What This Course Actually Gives You

I’m going to teach you to ask “why” until you reach the real problem. The actual need hiding behind every feature request, every stakeholder conversation, every “the old system did it this way” discussion.

You’ll learn to treat feature requests like clues in a story you’re uncovering together. When someone asks for a dropdown menu with 50 options, they’re sharing a problem they’re facing. Your opportunity is to understand what that problem actually is, and find the best way to help.

We’ll explore choosing technology stacks thoughtfully, based on what the project genuinely needs. JavaScript frameworks, static site generators, low-code solutions, each has its strengths. I’ll show you how to match the right tool to the right situation.

This Isn’t Theory

I’ve included seven AI role-play scenarios where you practice these conversations with simulated stakeholders. You’ll learn to interview users, observe them working with software, and test your ideas. You’ll work with legacy code to understand what problems it was originally solving.

This helps junior developers understand the bigger picture behind technical decisions. It helps senior developers ensure their expertise translates into software that truly serves users. It helps anyone who wants to feel confident they’re building something meaningful.

What You Walk Away With

The ability to hear “we need a search feature” and gently explore why they think search will help, what they’re actually trying to accomplish, and discover together the best solution.

The confidence to have thoughtful conversations about requirements, coming from a place of genuine curiosity about what will actually help people.

A process you can rely on. Not just instinct or years of trial and error, but a learnable, repeatable approach to building the right software.

This is the skill that AI can’t replace. Understanding what problems are worth solving, and why. That’s the human part, the part that matters most. I’m going to teach you how.