Vibe coding got us here. Spec-driven development is what comes next — if enterprises want AI-generated code they can actually maintain.

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Matthias Steiner, senior director at SAP consulting firm Syntax, argues that vibe coding — while useful for prototyping — is insufficient for enterprise software that needs to last decades. He advocates for spec-driven development, where a structured functional specification acts as a single source of truth, enabling AI agents to consistently generate code, tests, documentation, and workflows across the entire SDLC. Steiner warns of a Jevons' paradox effect: AI-driven productivity will dramatically increase the total volume of software built, amplifying governance and maintenance burdens. His team of 30 engineers runs 10 parallel product builds using a VC-style portfolio model, with Claude and Task Master as primary tools and TypeScript as the language of choice. He maintains that software engineering remains critical, as human judgment is still needed for macro-level architectural decisions.

Beyond vibe coding: the case for spec-driven AI development