Is My Boss’s Micromanagement Out of Control?

You’re absolutely right in feeling the pressure from your boss’s new demands. It sounds excessive to change your whole process at this point. Since you mentioned the client supports your method, make that clear to your boss. If cutting down on unnecessary meetings and documentation helps keep both your client and project happy, that should be a priority. Maybe propose having a set review period rather than continuous daily stand-ups that just bog you down. Taking breaks will also help you stay productive.

I feel for you, transitioning from working solo to having to adhere to strict guidelines isn't easy. Your boss might be trying to prepare for future team expansion and ensuring everyone is on the same page, but it could be handled less intrusively. Consider putting your foot down about what works for you while addressing his concerns. Maybe offer a compromise of having more frequent commits but not at the level of micromanaging individual lines of code. Your speed and efficiency have brought in major revenue, so leverage that to negotiate changes that are still structured but not cumbersome.

Honestly, your boss sounds like he’s putting a lot of responsibility on you without having any scalable processes in place before now. It’s understandable why he might want more documentation given the money at stake, but expecting those kinds of details from every commit is a bit much. Have a conversation with him about gradually implementing any changes instead of a complete overhaul all at once. Frame it as a way for both of you to improve efficiency—make him feel like it’s his idea. Just establish what boundaries you have and let him know what’s feasible without putting your project at risk.

It's clear your boss doesn’t quite grasp the unique dynamics of your situation. It’s worth reminding him that you’ve successfully delivered millions in value as the sole developer. If he’s read something new, maybe he’s looking to apply it blindly. Try asking him what the primary goal of these new practices is; sometimes, just asking for clarification can lead to a more realistic discussion. If he sees that you’re already doing a great job handling things your way, maybe he’ll ease up on the demands a little.

Your boss is critiquing your commit practices, which is valid to an extent, but he needs to balance that with realistic expectations. While it’s good to have traceability, demanding a detailed explanation for every tiny commit seems excessive. I’d suggest asking him why he’s so adamant about these changes. Sometimes, when they try to explain their reasoning, they come to realize their approach doesn’t fit the team’s existing dynamics. If he fails to see your perspective, just document all your interactions to keep track and protect yourself.