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Once a quarter, our entire company comes together in person for a few days of focused experimentation and collaboration. We call these CCC Days—named after our core values: <strong>Character, Collaboration, and Craftsmanship</strong>.</p><p>With many of our team members working remotely, CCC Days give us a valuable chance to connect face-to-face, collaborate across departments, and work with people we don’t usually interact with in person.</p><p>During this time, we shift our focus to experiments—testing out new ideas, exploring emerging technologies, and test-driving methods that could help us serve our clients more efficiently. It’s also a great opportunity for junior team members to step into leadership roles, run projects, and grow their skills in real time.&nbsp; <strong>This quarter, we focused on AI experiments and LightningCAD efficiencies.</strong></p><p>Here are a few of the experiments we explored during our latest CCC Days:</p><h2>RoleModel Way of Developer AI</h2><p>We conducted an experiment to refine the RoleModel Way of Developer AI, focusing on leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) for code generation and editor integrations. Our goal was to compare the performance of the newest local models (running on an on-premise server) with cloud-based solutions like GitHub Copilot, specifically assessing their viability for tools such as autocomplete and agentic code development. Using a VS Code plugin called Continue, we tested local model integration but found significant performance gaps—local models were slower and lacked advanced features like agents or tool calling. This highlighted the challenge of balancing speed and functionality for rapid development workflows.</p><p>Shifting focus to cloud models, we explored GitHub Copilot’s capabilities, noting its robust infrastructure on Azure servers and potential IP protection for organizations. We also experimented with Copilot Instructions—custom markdown configurations to guide the model’s behavior, such as adopting a pirate persona or referencing project-specific files like READMEs, Gemfiles, and private packages.&nbsp;</p><p>Our current recommendations include:</p><p>Pilot GitHub Copilot via business subscriptions to assess usage and cost.</p><ul><li data-preset-tag=""p""><p>Develop shared Copilot Instructions to align with team best practices and tool-specific context. Continue exploring local models as advancements may improve their viability.

Once a quarter, our entire company comes together in person for a few days of focused experimentation and collaboration. We call these CCC Days—named after our core values: Character, Collaboration, and Craftsmanship . With many of our team members working remotely, CCC Days give us a valuable chance to connect ...

One way we incorporate our values of Character, Collaboration, and Craftsmanship into our company practices is through our quarterly CCC Days events (named for our core values). During CCC Days, our entire company meets at our Apex, NC, office to work on experiments. These experiments usually explore new features or technologies that might benefit our partners or simplify our workflows. We are excited to share a few of our experiments from Q1 and their possible implications.

We centered 2024 around our theme of Impact Mindset, inspired by Liz Wiseman’s Impact Players, introducing peer-nominated "impact awards" celebrated at our annual retreat and deepening how we define The RoleModel Way across areas like Mentorship, Design, Testing, Project Management, and Selecting Technology. We also marked a new chapter by moving into our new headquarters in Apex, NC, unveiling an updated logo and brand, welcoming six new teammates (including three Craftsmanship Academy grads), and knighting two new Craftsmen—all moving us forward in character, collaboration, and craftsmanship.