This design-first approach is the hallmark of many successful products. It is the rare engineer who can say "I had to change code that I had labored over" with

This design-first approach is the hallmark of many successful products. It is the rare engineer who can say "I had to change code that I had labored over" with such equanimity. Excellent read! "The ability for Dan and I to work as a team was crucial. While he could've written the program, the fact that he wasn't gave him the freedom to focus on what the program should do rather than how to do it. I could appreciate his reasons and would eventually accept that I had to change code that I had labored over. We were able to find ways to take advantage of the limited space available for the program in deciding what features to include or not include."