To Build is Human, To Support Divine

Richard Bown at the book launch of "Human Software" in London

I’m Richard Bown, welcome to my blog. I’m a writer and a software person who primarily works in DevOps and infrastructure. I used to be a developer, a gamer, a full-time, full-on geek, but now I like to explore what makes us software developers different, the things that bring us happiness, as well as the things we find challenging about working in organisations.

Over the last year or two, I’ve put my feelings into words, and the result is a novel that I’m proud of called Human Software. It’s about collaboration, 365/24/7 systems that require support and how companies take advantage of our human behaviours.

As of October 2025, it’s available from various outlets worldwide.

I enjoy working at the intersection of technology, people, and systems. I’m a systems thinker, a believer in Conway’s Law, and someone who prizes human relationships above technological achievements. Generally, I believe that the world would be a better place if software engineers thought a little more before opening their mouths or submitting their PRs!

I’ve been trying to make sense of software engineering for thirty years. This is the result.

“Even if you’re not in tech, this story pulls you in with its vivid world-building and well-rounded characters. I found myself completely hooked.” – RUSSELL MCLEAN, Emmy and BAFTA award-winning Producer of Black Mirror: Bandersnatch

“A proper page turner, part thriller, part whodunnit and a fine dystopian parable” – CHARLES HUMBLE, Tech consultant & Journalist at Conissaunce

“Absolutely gripping! A must-read” – LOVDEEP PANNU, CTO at Epicenter

What Is On This Blog?

Modern businesses are built on complex software systems. Teams are required to deploy and manage these systems. Teams of talented, unique individuals must work and collaborate closely day after day, week in and week out, sometimes at night or on the weekends.

In this blog, I explore the human factors at play in tech organisations, from development to operations, architecture to organisation. Looking at how humans survive and thrive and fight and fall apart under the unique stresses and strains that come to bear in the ‘software industry’.

Whether you’re an engineer or a manager, if you work in operations or development, an agilist or a project manager, a contractor or an employee, you should recognise some of the tropes and a lot of problems and opportunities highlighted in these articles. This is why I call it “Surviving Software”. Because sometimes, it’s just enough to turn up and do a day’s work.