Steven Stuart

Study Routine

Continuous learning isn’t optional in software engineering—it’s essential. This is my framework for enriching skills, staying current with technology, and advancing as a software architect. I share it as a practical example for others looking to build their own learning routine.

📚 Read Deeply

Books

Building a strong foundation requires deliberate study of fundamentals and modern practices.

  • Fundamentals of Software Architecture by Mark Richards & Neal Ford A comprehensive guide to architectural thinking and decision-making

  • Software Architecture: The Hard Parts by Neal Ford, Mark Richards, et al. Modern trade-off analyses for distributed architectures

Online Resources

💬 Join the Conversation

Learning happens in community. Engaging with other practitioners provides perspective and accelerates growth.

  • Rands Leadership Slack - Engineering leadership community
  • LinkedIn - Professional network and industry discussions
  • Technical conferences and meetups (virtual and in-person)

📝 Refine and Review Your Notes

Regular review reinforces learning. I maintain personal guides and notes on GitHub covering:

Practice: Review notes weekly, refine monthly. Teaching concepts to others (through writing or mentoring) deepens understanding.

🔍 Enrich Your Tech Radar

Maintain your own tech radar to track technologies and approaches worth exploring.

Research Latest News

Stay informed through regular scanning:

Validate with Proof of Concepts

After researching a technology:

  1. Build a small POC to understand practical implications
  2. Document findings and trade-offs
  3. Update your tech radar based on hands-on experience
  4. Share learnings with your team or community

🛠️ Practice with POCs and Open Source

Theory without practice is incomplete. Regular hands-on work keeps skills sharp.

  • Build POCs for technologies on your radar
  • Contribute to open source projects on GitHub
  • Experiment with new patterns in side projects
  • Automate and improve your own development workflows

Goal: Ship something every month, even if small. Consistent practice beats sporadic bursts.

🧮 Practice Data Structures & Algorithms

Keep problem-solving skills sharp with LeetCode practice:

  • Weekly practice: 2-3 problems minimum
  • Focus areas: System design, algorithms, optimization
  • Review patterns: Common approaches for efficiency

This isn’t just for interviews—algorithmic thinking improves day-to-day architecture and code quality.

💡 Principles for Sustainable Learning

  1. Consistency over intensity - Small, regular effort beats marathon sessions
  2. Balance breadth and depth - Survey widely, dive deep selectively
  3. Practice in public - Share learnings through blogs, talks, or open source
  4. Connect the dots - Link new knowledge to existing experience
  5. Stay curious, stay humble - There’s always more to learn

🚀 Start Your Own Routine

Building a learning routine is personal. Start with:

  1. Assess your current skill gaps and career goals
  2. Choose 1-2 focus areas (e.g., cloud architecture, system design)
  3. Schedule dedicated learning time weekly
  4. Track progress through notes, projects, or a personal tech radar
  5. Iterate based on what works for you

Consistency compounds. Start small, stay committed, and refine your approach over time.