Adopt Big Picture Thinking or Get Stuck Debugging Forever

Adopt Big Picture Thinking or Get Stuck Debugging Forever - Photo by Ofspace LLC on Unsplash

As a software engineer, I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a global view—a big picture—of the requirements before you even think about touching the code. I see it all the time: people get excited, they want to dive in, maybe fire up their favorite AI tool, or just start hacking away at files. But here’s the thing: before you do any of that, you need to stop and think. What actually needs to be done?

Let me break it down. Instead of jumping straight into the codebase, take a step back. Ask yourself: What should the implementation look like? Prototype what you need to do. Plan it out. If you just start coding without a clear plan, you risk heading down the wrong path. You might end up with something that isn’t possible, isn’t durable, or just isn’t right for your company or your users. Scalability, maintainability—these things matter. And maybe, just maybe, what you’re about to do isn’t even necessary.

I’ve seen engineers (myself included) get caught up in the urge to refactor or build something new, only to realize later that there was a better option. Maybe you don’t need to refactor the codebase at all. Maybe there’s a third-party service that does exactly what you need. Or, here’s a classic: maybe another team in your company has already built something similar. Before you reinvent the wheel, talk to them.

There are always more options than you think. When we’re solving problems, it’s easy to forget this. We know we’re smart, and yet, we still make silly mistakes by jumping right into the water without checking how deep it is.

Practical Steps Before You Code

Adopt Big Picture Thinking or Get Stuck Debugging Forever - Photo by Patrick Martin on Unsplash

1. Clarify the requirements. Talk to stakeholders, product managers, or whoever is driving the project. Make sure you actually understand what needs to be built.
2. Prototype or sketch out your solution. This doesn’t have to be fancy. Sometimes a whiteboard or a quick diagram is enough.
3. Evaluate alternatives. Is there an existing service, library, or internal tool that solves your problem? Can you reuse something?
4. Plan your implementation. Think about scalability, maintainability, and whether your solution fits the company’s needs.
5. Ask if it’s even necessary. Sometimes the best solution is to do nothing.

Here’s a simple analogy: imagine you’re about to build a bridge. Would you just start pouring concrete without a blueprint? Of course not. Software is no different.

Code Example: Prototyping Before Coding

Suppose you’re asked to add a new authentication feature. Instead of coding right away, sketch out the flow:

1User clicks "Login" -> Redirect to Auth Service -> Auth Service validates -> Callback to App -> User session created

Now, check: does your company already use an auth provider? Is there a library for this? Can you reuse an existing flow? Only after answering these should you start coding.

“The best code is the code you never have to write.”
— Unknown, but probably a wise engineer

Adopt Big Picture Thinking or Get Stuck Debugging Forever - Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Key Takeaways

• Always get a big-picture view before coding.
• Prototype and plan before implementation.
• Check for existing solutions—don’t reinvent the wheel.
• Make sure what you’re about to build is actually needed.
• Smart engineers still make mistakes by jumping in too fast. Don’t be that person.

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