Becoming a Better Developer

Posted by Mike on May 20, 2008

I was searching the other day on how to become a better developer and came across the following series of articles. I really liked how each part encourages the developer to examine different facets of their job. Part 11 might work, if you like “boughten” massages.

• Part 1: Making Fans
• Part 2: Know Your Core Competencies
• Part 3: Enjoy the Panorama
• Part 4: Know What You’re Building
• Part 5: Don’t Use a Dull Knife
• Part 6: Become a Manager
• Part 7: The Jigsaw Puzzle
• Part 8: Know Your Archetype
• Part 9: How to Criticize a Software Developer Without Getting Punched
• Part 10: What Do Your Colleagues Think of You?
• Part 11: Get a Massage (and Get Your Boss to Pay For It)

If you are a software developer, I think it is worthwhile to read one part each day and reflect on it. It just might help you become a better one!

Productivity Boost!

Posted by Mike on May 2, 2008

I read an article, or should I say I started reading an article, called When Taking Time Off Is No Vacation by C.J. Kelly. The following quote caught my attention.

Of course, I still have to maintain the security infrastructure. Before I went on leave, I worked a lot of hours trying to get ahead on my project schedule. It’s amazing what you can do when you lock yourself up in a lab, ignore e-mail and mute the cell phone. (emphasis mine)

In fact, by the time I left, I had managed to get two months ahead of schedule. With no time for chit-chat, I condensed my responses to questions and requests, even from my boss. I checked voice mail and e-mail when I woke up each morning, in the middle of the day and when I got home. If a message wasn’t urgent, I ignored it or passed it along to someone on my staff.

Wow! Two months ahead of schedule. That’s an amazing result with three basic steps.

1. Lock yourself up (Teleworking?)
2. Ignore email (Only check at scheduled times?)
3. Mute the cell phone (Uninterrupted time for work?)

What can you do to improve your focus and accomplish more?