Measuring Progress in Software Development
In the software engineering industry, progress is measured in various ways.
The only proof of progress is working software, not any burnout chart. Measuring effort becomes even more complex when dealing with bugs.
Using activity metrics to assess progress can create the wrong incentives for prioritization. Bugs arise when the problem is more profound than expected, and since software requires constant maintenance, it is never truly finished. While activity metrics can help check team collaboration, they cannot reflect progress.
Many companies have shifted to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes required to adapt to this new working method are still being determined.
One such change should be to improve project status communication to avoid unnecessary noise. Consider the traditional standup.
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Ask yourself, "What does the team need to know?" and use calendars, notes, and project management systems to gather and share information. It can be optional if a meeting is irrelevant; with proper communication, most meetings are anyway. Standup meetings should focus on identifying obstacles to progress. If there are none, the status report should be optional.
Assess daily routines and update outdated processes to improve team effectiveness.
While not all teams may need changes, questioning our routines can help maintain team effectiveness. Returning to the office is optional, and remote work requires a shift in mindset.
Organizations can deliver valuable software by trusting programmers and giving them autonomy.
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Trust helps teams work together towards achieving their goals. More freedom leads to more learning, and more understanding leads to better performance.
Prioritizing self-management and efficiency is crucial to avoid bureaucratic rigidity. Embrace failure as a learning opportunity.
Strive to minimize separation and top-down hierarchy. Aim for flat team structures.
Consensus is impossible at scale and needs to reflect how adaptive systems work.
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