In this episode of Amazing Apps, host Neil Benson explores the importance of rethinking our approach to building business applications. Join us as we delve into the benefits of questioning our assumptions and adapting to new information in the dynamic landscape of app development.

• Unpacking the concept of "thinking like a scientist" and its impact on creating agile business apps.
• Understanding cognitive entrenchment and how it can hinder our progress in app development.
• Examining how embracing new tools like Power Automate or Azure Data Factory can outdo outdated practices.
• Learning from personal experiences and external experts to reassess long-held beliefs about health and productivity.
• Discovering how to stay open-minded to new methods for building Power Platform and Dynamics 365 apps without losing sight of effective agile approaches.

Keep experimenting 🧪

-Neil

RESOURCES

• Microsoft Power Platform Conference, 18 to 20 October 2024
• Peter Attia’s The Drive podcast
• Outlive by Peter Attia
• Peter Attia’s website
• Adam Grant’s podcasts
• Adam Grant’s website

Subscribe to my new Estimating Business Apps podcast mini-series

Estimating Business Apps is a five-part podcast that will help you quickly, accurately and confidently estimate complex Power Platform and Dynamics 365 apps in minutes. Listen now: https://estimating-business-apps.captivate.fm/listen

#154. Neil Benson takes us on a journey of learning through experimentation. Starting with the historical origins of smallpox inoculation, Neil discusses the importance of conducting experiments to drive innovation and problem-solving.

Sharing personal experiences from his biochemistry studies to his current work in building applications with Power Platform and Dynamics 365, Neil emphasizes the value of agile software development and the significance of learning through short bursts of experimentation.

He provides insights into real-world experiments with AI Builder and form processing models, highlighting the impact of these experiments on improving business processes. Neil also shares his experimentation with AI features in his own content creation and business operations, encouraging listeners to embrace the mindset of a scientist and continue experimenting.

So, tune in to explore the power of learning through experiments and discover how it can accelerate your own journey in building amazing apps.

Free Workshop: 3 Secrets to Building Business Apps with Scrum

Join this free interactive workshop to discover the three secrets to successfully using Scrum to build agile apps so you can deliver projects faster, under budget, have more fun, and get promoted.

https://customery.com/3secrets

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to my new Estimating Business Apps podcast mini-series

Estimating Business Apps is a five-part podcast that will help you quickly, accurately and confidently estimate complex Power Platform and Dynamics 365 apps in minutes. Listen now: https://estimating-business-apps.captivate.fm/listen

#153.  Neil Benson is joined by Keith Atherton, a proper pro developer. Keith shares his journey from developing custom apps using .NET, C# and SQL Server to embracing and mastering the development of enterprise business applications using the Power Platform.

• What do developers lose and gain using Power Platform compared to developing an app from scratch with .NET and SQL Server.
• The power of rapidly prototyping applications in Power Apps even compared to wireframing tools, like Basalmiq.
• How Keith decides when to use a low-code option or write code to meet a requirement.
• The value of documenting our own solutions and decisions, even if it's just for our own benefit later.
•  Developers are used to unit testing, automated regression testing, AI-assisted programming. Do you miss those capabilities when working with Power Platform, especially Power Fx?  
• How Keith thinks about keeping his skills up-to-date and mastering so many competencies through a weekly learning routine.
• Why .NET and C# developers should start with PL-900 Power Platform Fundamentals as their starting point for learning how to transfer their skills to Power Apps development.
• If Keith had a magic wand, Microsoft would enable him to use C# in the Power Fx editor.

Keith Atherton

• Keith Atherton on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-atherton/
• Keith's blog: https://www.keithatherton.com/
• Keith's podcast, On Air in the Cloud: https://onairinthecloud.com/

Resources

• Keith's courses on LinkedIn Learning: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/instructors/keith-atherton 
• PL-900 Power Platform Fundamentals training on Microsoft Learn: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/paths/power-plat-fundamentals/
• Real-world examples of Power Platform solution architectures: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/guidance/architecture/real-world-examples/overview

Support the show

CONNECT

🌏 Amazing Apps website

🟦 Customery on LinkedIn

🟦 Neil Benson on LinkedIn

MY ONLINE COURSES

🚀 Agile Foundations for Microsoft Business Apps

🏉 Scrum for Microsoft Business Apps

📐 Estimating Business Apps

Keep experimenting 🧪

-Neil

Mentioned in this episode:

Subscribe to my new Estimating Business Apps podcast mini-series

Estimating Business Apps is a five-part podcast that will help you quickly, accurately and confidently estimate