The Chicago Software Craftsmanship Movement A Historical Hub
Between 2010 and 2015, Chicago became the manifest epicenter for a new way of thinking about software development.
This curated collection traces the origins of a technical renaissance that could only have happened in Chicago. From the early days of Chicago Alt.NET to the landmark SCNA conferences, these interviews capture the passion, the tradeoffs, and the community that redefined engineering 'craft'. Every in-person interview in this archive was conducted at a Chicago conference, marking this city as the primary laboratory for the movement.
The Convergence: Software Craftsmanship
Software Craftsmanship (SC) emerged as a response to the "perceived ills" of the mainstream software industry—specifically the prioritization of financial concerns over developer accountability and technical excellence. Drawing on the guild traditions of medieval Europe and the apprenticeship model, pioneers like Dave "PragDave" Thomas and Andy Hunt began to re-frame software development as a craft practiced from 'Journeyman to Master'.
But the movement found its definitive voice here in Illinois. In December 2008, a group of aspiring craftsmen met in Libertyville, Illinois, to establish a set of principles that would eventually become the Software Craftsmanship Manifesto. This wasn't just theory; it was a response to a void in the industry. When the mainstream Agile conference came to Chicago and rejected practical, technical talks for being "too practical," the community realized it needed its own space to "raise the bar."
The Spark: Chicago Alt.NET
A central precursor to this story was Chicago Alt.NET. While not a direct driver of the Software Craftsmanship Manifesto, this community was a perfect example of the "rallying point" the movement provided. It represented a gathering of like-minded individuals from myriad communities—including the .NET platform—who were searching for better ways to build quality systems. My friend Sergio Pereira, the leader of Chicago Alt.NET, was the embodiment of this cross-pollination. When the idea for UGtastic was born at the first SCNA conference, I knew I wanted to interview the people who made these tech communities possible. Sergio agreed to do the very first interview, providing the community blueprint for the 200+ that followed.
The Gathering: SCNA
The Software Craftsmanship North America conference, alongside sister communities like the London Software Craftsmanship Community (LSCC), drove a global conversation on technical excellence. From experimenting with "Craftsman Swaps" between Chicago firms like 8th Light and Obtiva, to defining the ethics of our trade, this movement redefined what it means to be a software professional. This archive captures that movement at its local epicenter and historical peak.
The Definitive Voices
Sergio Pereira
Precursor / Blueprint for UGtasticThe Role: Sergio represents the myriad of practitioners from diverse communities who found a rallying point in Software Craftsmanship. As the leader of Chicago Alt.NET, he is a prime example of the cross-platform search for better ways of working. The History: His was the very first UGtastic interview, serving as the blueprint and inspiration for the entire archival project.
Chicago Alt.net: Mike Hall Interviews Sergio Pereira | SCNA 2011
Watch the original blueprint interview and read the forensic transcript below.
Watch Here & Read Full Transcript →Micah Martin
Co-founder of 8th Light / Apprenticeship PioneerThe Role: Micah was at the heart of the "Apprenticeship Move," helping to build 8th Light into a cornerstone of the Chicago craft scene. The History: This interview explores the discipline of building a firm based on the apprenticeship model and the early culture of SCNA.
Community Building And User-group Organizing: Mike Hall Interviews Micah Martin | SCNA 2013
Discover the history of the apprenticeship model and read the full dialogue.
Watch Here & Read Full Transcript →Dave Hoover
Co-author of "Apprenticeship Patterns"The Role: A visionary at firms like Obtiva and 8th Light, Dave formalized the apprenticeship metaphor for the modern era. The History: This interview explores GeekFest and the "Apprenticeship Move," revealing how Chicago became a laboratory for developing new engineering talent.
The Apprenticeship Move: Dave Hoover on GeekFest and Developer Mentorship
Explore the evolution of mentorship and access the structured transcript.
Watch Here & Read Full Transcript →Robert "Uncle Bob" Martin
Manifesto Signatory / Author of "Clean Code"The Role: One of the most influential figures in the movement, Uncle Bob challenged the industry with the "Craftsmanship over Crap" mantra. The History: Recorded at SCNA 2012, this conversation captures the ethical responsibility of the software craftsman as the "author of the rules that run the world."
Filling the Vessel: Robert 'Uncle Bob' Martin on the Craft of Performance and Clean Coders
Hear the ethical call to arms and read the complete technical record.
Watch Here & Read Full Transcript →Gary Bernhardt
Creator of Destroy All SoftwareThe Role: Gary brought a level of technical rigor and "speed-to-feedback" that resonated deeply with the Chicago craft community. The History: Recorded at SCNA 2012, this interview highlights the move toward extreme technical competence as a core value of the movement.
Conference Speaking And Presentation Skills: Mike Hall Interviews Gary Bernhardt | SCNA 2012
Deep dive into technical feedback loops and access the verified transcript.
Watch Here & Read Full Transcript →Angelique Martin
SCNA Organizer / Community ArchitectThe Role: A key organizer who helped build the platform for the Software Craftsmanship North America conferences. The History: Her interview reveals the logistics and the "why" behind creating a dedicated venue for technical excellence after the Agile conference rejections.
Conference Speaking And Presentation Skills: Mike Hall Interviews Angelique Martin | SCNA 2013
Go behind the scenes of SCNA and read the full archival record.
Watch Here & Read Full Transcript →Corey Haines
Global Evangelist / Manifesto SignatoryThe Role: The "Journeyman" of the movement, Corey traveled the world teaching the discipline of craft. The History: This interview captures the shift from "Agile process" back to the technical fundamentals of code and testing.
Cranking Design to 11: Corey Haines on the Global Day of Code Retreat and the Art of Practice
Trace the journeyman's path and read the high-fidelity dialogue.
Watch Here & Read Full Transcript →Historical Context: Deeper Questions
What was the "Libertyville Meeting"?
In December 2008, a small group met in Libertyville, Illinois, to answer a simple question: "What does it mean to be a software professional?" Over three months, their conclusions were distilled into the Software Craftsmanship Manifesto, which added "well-crafted software" and "community of professionals" as critical extensions to the original Agile values.
Why was "practicality" so controversial?
By 2010, many felt the mainstream Agile movement had been "commercialized," focusing more on project management and Jira boards than on the code itself. When technical talks were rejected for being "too practical," it was a signal that the act of creation had been sidelined. Software Craftsmanship was the movement that brought the focus back to the editor.
What is a "Craftsman Swap"?
Pioneered by Chicago firms like 8th Light and Obtiva, the swap was a radical experiment in transparency and learning. Developers from competing firms would swap places for a period to share techniques, build community, and raise the collective bar of the city's engineering talent.
This hub is part of a broader effort to preserve the technical memory of the industry. You can explore the full forensic archive of 214 technical conversations here.