172: Metrics that Matter in Software Development

Improving writing skills through deliberate practice and metrics for Software Development

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Off Topic: Using Note-Writing as a Springboard for Blog Post Ideas

In my current Zettlekasten context, a new Hub of notes will emerge based on the number of associated notes attached to a specific tag or keyword. The workflow to define a new hub note will grab all notes related to a tag with more than ten associated notes. The goal here is to either create sub-notes defining one single topic or a combination of sub-topics combining one single case. Literature Notes will live in Readwise for now. The usefulness of these notes will become apparent when working on a new hub of notes or isolated Zettels.

The difference in my mind is muddled. All these notes look the same, but literature notes result from processing ideas from a book or paper. I call notes hub notes if they are the entry points for active projects. An outline note might be considered a hybrid. All these I call "structure notes". 

To improve content generation, it's essential to have a deliberate practice routine that aligns with the daily notes we take. This will help add substance to our book manuscripts and provide topics for blog posts. These notes will serve as fragments of projects yet to be written. The things that we learn are the things that we repeat. We need time to practice the craft to improve writing on any other activity. So I made note-writing a deliberate practice. A way to make writing part of a conscious practice routine is by incorporating the craft into everything we do. It's important to make writing our default action to improve our focus. We are bombarded with information, and deciding whether to consume it is up to us. Rather than defaulting to consuming information, we should focus on habits that help us grow as individuals. 

[^]: Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Unrelated: How Writing Creates Unexpected Opportunities

Opportunities can be created through the act of publishing content. Writing can bring about unexpected connections and open doors that were before unknown. It also helps amplify knowledge and improve our understanding by filling gaps in our learning. So, luck can be manufactured through consistent writing.

It's important to make writing our default action to improve our focus. We are bombarded with information, and deciding whether to consume it is up to us. Rather than defaulting to consuming information, we should focus on habits that help us grow as individuals. We don't have to share everything we create with others. Instead, we can have internal conversations by writing down our thoughts. Writing helps us organize ideas and create knowledge rather than transmitting the information. Writing can help us get into a flow state and improve our writing skills. Learning is enhanced through the practice of writing because we need to fill the gaps in our understanding.

[^]: Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel without an Outline 

Current Work: Metrics that Matter in Software Development

To choose metrics, it is crucial to understand why you are measuring. Google recommends using the Goals/Signals/Metrics (GSM) framework to guide metric creation. Define signals as indicators of progress towards achieving the goal. Finally, select metrics that serve as proxies for the signals. Must only capture metrics that will inform meaningful action. Consider who will be responsible for taking action based on the results and when they will do so. The ultimate goal of measuring software processes is to inform business decisions.

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