Mission and values

Mission

Our mission is simply stated, but harder to achieve: “To make organizations better at building, maintaining, and running complex software systems”. Even as we pursue this mission, we make sure not to lose sight of our core values:

I am responsible:

• I remind others of these values, giving both positive and constructive feedback where possible
• I engage meaningfully and professionally, raising awareness of problems and opportunities (if I see something, I say something)
• I set and change priorities as the situation demands
• I am able and committed to taking tasks to completion, yet I know when to ask for help
• I willingly take my share of the less fun/glamorous work
• I openly provide timely status of my work to raise awareness

I am motivated:

• I actively collaborate with others towards achieving our mission, even at the cost of losing some personal productivity
• I learn and try new things, even outside my specialty
• I improve myself and help others improve, by providing, accepting, and soliciting feedback
• I support my colleagues by reminding them of our strengths and by celebrating contributions

I am mature:

• I am respectful to everyone
• I do not react in the moment. I validate that I have understood what was said, suspend judgment, examine my expectations, remember my biases, give the benefit of the doubt, and assume that everyone (customers, co-workers, and partners) has the best intentions with their actions.
• I acknowledge harm caused, even if it was unintentional, opening a dialogue to rectify the situation, taking steps to avoid recurrence, and apologizing for any mistakes made
• I communicate thoughts and feelings articulately, honestly, and timely, both online and offline, validating that others have understood things as I intended, especially when I disagree or don't understand something
• I approach change with an open attitude of learning and patience

Our structure

Several years ago, we moved to a new and very different type of organizational structure. We feel this structure helps us to avoid silos, facilitates working across time zones, and better supports our mission and values.