About

Hi, I’m Andrew McCaughan.

Over the last decade I’ve operated on multiple levels as a leader in software teams and organisations. I’m strongest at growing and nurturing teams, and building the systems and habits that help organisations spot problems early, reduce friction, and steadily get better.

I’ve led engineering and product groups, built teams from scratch, steadied delivery when things were wobbling, and helped teams become predictably high-performing.

I’m at my best where the work matters and has a purpose. Public services, infrastructure, and products that improve everyday life are where I do my strongest work.

Previously, I was CTO at BuffaloGrid, where we built StreamSpot, a solar-powered edge device that provided reliable power and digital services without needing an internet connection. It was deployed in Bangladesh, Nigeria, Zambia, and Mozambique. It's been the most rewarding experience of my working life so far. It made me focus on importance of building reliable, distributed systems with significant financial constraints, and building products for a demographic chronically underserved by technology and digital services. You can find out more about BuffaloGrid's journey here.

Earlier in my career I worked with organisations including Philips and Intel, and I delivered projects in local government and energy as an independent contractor. I try to give back to an industry that’s given me a lot. I coach engineers and aspiring leaders, and I’ve done mentoring in various forms over the years. In the past, I helped organise and run DDD Belfast.

On this blog I write about the craft of software engineering: the tensions between features and quality, speed and sustainability, and what real-world delivery teaches you.

As seen on the Internet

• Podcast The CT-OOH - What is a CTO?
• Interview Device Chronicle - Bridging the Digital Divide with IoT & OTA Software Updates
• Podcast CTO Confessions - Connecting People to the Digital World

Experience and skills

Sectors

• Life sciences
• Energy and Utilities
• Local, devolved, and central Government
• Education
• Healthcare

Skills

• Building teams from scratch
• Transforming teams into high-performers
• Software architecture
• Cloud computing
• Coaching and mentoring

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author, Andrew McCaughan, and do not necessarily reflect the views of any past or present employers mentioned on this site.