Insights

Articles and insights from Headforwards covering a broad range of topics, interests and viewpoints. Get to know about the exciting solutions we build for our clients and delve into the technical side with content directly from our software developers.

Microservices and containers: the perfect toolset for Agile teams

By Mike Tonks

See how microservices and containers fit into the Agile toolset – and how they’re helping organisations enable continuous…

Q&A: How we find and nurture talent – and why it’s vital for great code

By Craig Girvan

Headforwards co-founder Craig Girvan reflects on our hiring process, how we choose the right talent, and the work we put in…

The pros and cons of user-created apps

By Owen Hodge

With low-code tools growing in popularity, is citizen development a worthy investment for organisations – or could it cause…

The 24-hour proof of concept: how to solve business challenges with hackathons

By Barney Nicholls

Software dev Barney Nicholls reflects on how 24-hour development challenges can help organisations encourage creative…

How can councils improve digital literacy – for employees and citizens?

By Andy Roberts

As councils adopt new software and processes to improve operations, digital literacy and change management are becoming vital…

Agile at a distance: adjusting to working from home and the future of work

By Craig and Toby

Headforwards founders Toby Parkins and Craig Girvan discuss the transition to working from home – and how to preserve an…

Balancing risk and reward: considerations for AI implementation

By Emma Grimes

We explore some of the misconceptions and risks around AI – and how to overcome them for a successful implementation.

Onshoring vs offshoring: what’s the difference, and why does it matter?

By John Howell

What’s the difference between onshoring and offshoring – and does it really matter in modern software development?

Why outsourced software development works

By John Howell

Outsourcing can be the secret to software development that delivers long-term value for organisations across all verticals…

Secrets of a Scrum Master | Part Three

By Andy Roberts

We asked three of our own to talk about their focal points when practising the art of Scrum. Andy Roberts talks about his…

Secrets of a Scrum Master | Part Two

By Craig Girvan

We asked three of our own to talk about their focal points when practising the art of Scrum. Craig talks about his take on…

Working from home and its impact on productivity

By Dave Longman

As staff around the world have moved to working from home during lockdown, Headforwards has looked at its productivity impact…

Secrets of a Scrum Master | Part One

By Mike Fosker

We asked three of our own to talk about their focal points when practising the art of Scrum. Mike Fosker talks about his take…

Three Critical Elements for Success in Outsourced Software Development

By Toby Parkins

As a company that has been delivering outsourced software for many years, we have come to understand any possible pitfalls…

Local authorities are revolutionising the way they use data

By Andy Roberts

Find out how we are helping Cornwall Council create a new digital architecture and a forward looking culture with Business…

The benefits of outsourced software development

By John Howell

Outsourced software development is a huge worldwide industry and one that is growing fast, fuelled by the rapid emergence of…

The continuing importance of data science

By Helen Stembridge

Data science is one of the fastest growing fields in tech and one of the most exciting, as it has such huge potential to help…

Pioneering Healthcare innovation in India

By Rahul Lamba

Rahul Lamba is developing a pioneering health tech system in partnership with a hospital in India, which will lead to…

How local authorities can deliver an outstanding online customer experience

By Toby Parkins

People increasingly expect their council to provide services quickly and efficiently, using the online technology which makes…

Software Cornwall TDD Workshop Learnings

By Peter Conway

Last week I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to attend Software Cornwall’s TDD workshop being run by Jon…

Can Agile work in local authorities?

By Andy Roberts

From a little seed planted at Agile on the Beach, Cornwall Council has gone through a real transformation in how they’re…

Building the business case for long term IT investment

By John Howell

As an outsource software development company Headforwards has worked with a lot of people in building the right business case…

An exciting future for AI in UK healthcare

By Toby Parkins

The UK government has already committed to a £250 million investment in AI technology, which includes the setting up of a…

Why Artificial Intelligence has the power to transform the work of local authorities

By Toby Parkins

A recent national survey has revealed one in six councils are anticipating savings between £750,000 and £1m through the…