Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast: Agile Storytelling from the Trenches
Episode Summary: BONUS The Human Side of Software Development With Jussi Mononen
Host: Vasco Duarte
Guest: Jussi Mononen, CTO of Carbon Link
Release Date: May 8, 2025

1. Introduction

In this bonus episode of the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast, host Vasco Duarte welcomes Jussi Mononen, a seasoned Agile practitioner and the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Carbon Link, a rapidly growing scale-up based in Helsinki. With over a quarter-century of experience in software development and Agile methodologies, Jussi shares his insights on the human aspects of software development, strategic technology decisions, and leadership challenges in the Agile landscape.

2. Jussi Mononen's Background

Vasco introduces Jussi as a dynamic energy bundle, highlighting his dual expertise in both technology and people management. Jussi reflects on his extensive career spanning 25 years, during which he transitioned from being a programmer to an Agile coach and eventually to a CTO role.

Notable Quote:
[02:13] Jussi Mononen: "A quarter of a century."

3. The Shift to Agile: Embracing a Human-Centric Approach

Jussi recounts his pivotal moment transitioning from traditional waterfall methodologies to Agile. Working in an R&D department for a telecommunications software company, he observed the limitations of siloed operations and rigid structures that hindered effective problem-solving and holistic software development.

Notable Quote:
[03:07] Jussi Mononen: "Agile ideas kind of opened up a larger avenue. Like software is not just code. And there it started my kind of a humanist, as an engineer kind of approach to software."

He emphasizes that Agile brought a broader perspective, recognizing that software development is inherently about people—including developers, business stakeholders, and end-users.

4. Technology Choices and Long-Term Sustainability

As CTO at Carbon Link, Jussi discusses the critical balance between adopting cutting-edge technologies and ensuring long-term maintainability. He highlights the importance of selecting technologies that allow rapid development without compromising future scalability and sustainability.

Notable Quote:
[09:24] Jussi Mononen: "Every single line of code or a feature or system will become a liability... you have to think about the long-term sustainability of the code base versus the short-term demands from the business."

Jussi shares Carbon Link’s strategy of using a dynamically typed language within the Java ecosystem to leverage both flexibility and robustness, ensuring that their technology stack remains viable for at least the next decade.

5. Collaboration and Building Trust within Teams

Jussi underscores the significance of respect and trust in fostering effective collaboration between technical and business teams. He believes in empowering team members by allowing autonomy in technology choices, provided they align with the company's long-term goals and maintainability standards.

Notable Quote:
[17:31] Jussi Mononen: "With respect and trust, basically. I have this kind of optimistic view of humanity so that I want to trust people at this point of my time."

He recounts an instance where transitioning from a dynamically typed to a statically typed language enhanced a developer’s productivity, illustrating his commitment to supporting team members’ strengths and preferences.

6. Strategic Roadmapping in a Dynamic Environment

Managing a dynamic and evolving roadmap is crucial, especially in environments subject to regulatory changes and diverse customer needs. Jussi describes Carbon Link’s approach of maintaining a flexible, two-quarter roadmap that is revisited weekly to incorporate new signals from customers, legislation, and internal feedback.

Notable Quote:
[16:24] Jussi Mononen: "We follow a lot of like work groups, we follow local accountants... we have to be aware of a quite variety of signal sources."

This iterative process ensures that the company remains responsive to external changes while aligning technological advancements with business objectives.

7. Overcoming Challenges: Rewriting University Systems

One of the most significant challenges Jussi faced was leading a four-and-a-half-year project to overhaul outdated software systems for Finnish universities. The project involved migrating from legacy systems to a modular, shareable platform capable of accommodating diverse institutional needs and evolving legislative requirements.

Notable Quote:
[35:08] Jussi Mononen: "You have to be able to live with constantly contradicting and changing requirements... it requires a lot of people skills."

Through effective team collaboration and a focus on bounded contexts, Jussi and his team successfully delivered a resilient and versatile system now in use across multiple universities in Finland and adaptable for broader European implementation.

8. Advice for Aspiring CTOs

Drawing from his extensive experience, Jussi offers valuable advice for current and aspiring CTOs:

• Embrace Contradicting Requirements: Be prepared to navigate and reconcile diverse and shifting demands.
• Foster Open Dialogue: Encourage debate and open communication to reach consensus on technological decisions.
• Prioritize People Skills: Effective leadership in technology goes beyond technical expertise; it requires strong interpersonal skills.
• Maintain Flexibility: Keep roadmaps adaptable to respond swiftly to new information and changes in the environment.

Notable Quote:
[37:04] Jussi Mononen: "You have to have the capabilities to work as a middleman... and it requires capabilities that you don't think at first."

9. Influences and Continuous Learning

When asked about influential books, Jussi emphasizes the importance of context and experiential learning over traditional literature. He cites Chad Fowler’s philosophy of being the "lousiest member of the band" to foster continuous growth by learning from more experienced peers.

Notable Quote:
[39:54] Jussi Mononen: "Books are missing one crucial thing... it's context. The crucial thing for me has been the people I've been working with."

Jussi advocates for immersing oneself in collaborative environments to gain practical insights and develop leadership qualities.

10. Conclusion and Contact Information

In wrapping up the conversation, Jussi shares his preferred channels for professional contact, emphasizing LinkedIn and the Carbon Link company website as primary points of connection.

Notable Quote:
[42:04] Jussi Mononen: "Find me on LinkedIn... first name, last name at Carbolink Fi."

Vasco thanks Jussi for his generous sharing of knowledge and experiences, highlighting the episode's focus on the human side of software development and Agile leadership.

Final Thoughts

This episode offers deep insights into the intersection of technology, leadership, and human-centric Agile practices. Jussi Mononen’s experiences underscore the importance of adaptability, strategic planning, and fostering a respectful, trust-based team environment to drive successful software development in dynamic settings.

Whether you’re a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, or technology leader, Jussi’s perspectives provide actionable strategies to enhance your role and navigate the complexities of modern software development.