Software Developer Productivity Tips
As a software developer, it is important to stay productive. This article discusses 10 tips that can help you achieve this. Included are tech tips, self tips, process tips, and even pet tips!
As a software developer, it is important to stay productive. This means finding ways to optimize your workflow and make the most of your time. In this article, we will discuss some tips that can help you achieve this. We will cover everything from tools and techniques to staying organized and motivated. Follow these tips and you will be on your way to becoming a more productive developer!
#1 Automate repetitive tasks
First on the list of productivity tips is to automate repetitive tasks. This can be done by using builds, unit tests, and daily stand-ups.
Builds are a great way to automate the process of compiling your code and running unit tests, especially on complex coding projects. This can help save time and ensure that your code is always up-to-date. Automating these as part of the software development process definitely saves you time, no matter your programming language or coding platforms.
Unit tests are also a great way to automate the testing process. By writing unit tests, you can ensure that your code is working as expected and catch any errors before they cause problems.
Finally, daily stand-ups can help you stay organized and on track. They allow you to quickly update your team on what you have been working on and identify any potential problems.
#2 Know your tools
Second on our productivity tips list is knowing your tools.
Languages
The first tool is your programming languages. By knowing the ins and outs of your languages, you can write code more efficiently and avoid common mistakes.
Another thing to know is the libraries and frameworks that are available for your language. This can help you save time by using existing code instead of writing it yourself.
IDEs
This also means knowing your IDE (integrated development environment). Be familiar with the IDEs or editors that you are using. This will allow you to work more efficiently by using shortcuts and autocompletion features, automating coding tasks, and even helping you write high-quality code. Many IDEs also help with code generation, code refactoring, and reviews of code written as well.
CI/CD
Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) pipelines are a great way to automate the testing and deployment process. By using a CI/CD pipeline, you can ensure that your code is always up-to-date and that it meets all the requirements for release.
There are many different CI/CD pipelines available, so be sure to choose one that fits your needs. If you are not sure which one to choose, ask your team or supervisor for guidance.
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Once you have chosen a pipeline, be sure to learn how to use it effectively. This means setting up the pipeline correctly and running it on a regular basis. Be sure to also test it thoroughly to make sure that it is working as expected.
One of the main reasons for using a CI/CD pipeline is to make the build and deployment process more productive. So spend some good time researching alternatives and mapping them against your particular organization's needs. Even if you are a freelancer or contract programmer working solo, there is great productivity to be gained by using a CI/CD pipeline for your work for every productive coding engineer.
Unit Testing
Unit testing is a great way to automate the testing process and ensure that your code is working as expected. By writing unit tests, you can catch any errors before they cause problems.
In addition to unit testing, you should also use other types of testing tools. This includes using automated testing tools and manual testing. Automated testing tools are great for finding errors early in the development process, while manual testing is best for finding errors that automated tools may miss.
By using a combination of automated and manual testing, you can ensure that your code is always up-to-date and that it meets all the requirements for release.
Best Practices
To be productive, you also need to understand your organization's best practices around the languages, IDEs, CI/CD pipelines, and testing tools you use. So learn those best practices, or help establish them if none exist, so that everyone is consistent and efficient with their usage.
#3 Use an agile methodology
Agile methodologies can add a lot to the productivity of individuals and teams. An agile development framework is by nature designed to be adaptable, measure progress (or non-progress) quickly, and help everyone be as productive as they can be by working on the right things at the right time - a daunting task.
Teamwork
It can be hard to stay productive when working on your own. When you're working by yourself, it can be tough to know what to work on next and how to stay focused. Using an agile methodology can help you stay focused and on track. Agile methodologies are designed for teams, so they take the guesswork out of what needs to be done and when. This allows you to quickly measure your progress (or lack thereof) and make necessary adjustments.
Handle Impediments Quickly
Agile methodologies help you stay productive by identifying and addressing impediments quickly. Daily stand-ups are a time to bring up any impediments to your work so that they can be discussed and resolved (outside of the stand-up meeting) as quickly as possible. This will keep you productive.
#4 Get clear deliverables and timelines
Deliverables
Part of being productive is ensuring that you are working on the right deliverables. This means understanding your organization's standards for what constitutes a deliverable and what the timelines are for completing them.
You should also have a clear understanding of what is expected of you. This can be done by having regular meetings with your supervisor or team, or by reading your organization's standards documentation.
If you are not sure what is expected of you, ask your supervisor or team for clarification. They will be happy to help you get up to speed quickly.
By knowing what is expected of you and understanding the organization's standards, you can ensure that you are always working on the right deliverables and that you are meeting all the deadlines for release.
Acceptance Criteria
Acceptance criteria are the specific requirements that need to be met in order for a deliverable to be accepted. They can be written down as part of your organization's standards documentation, or they can be created as a part of your team's agile workflow.
By clearly understanding the acceptance criteria for your work, you can ensure that you are always meeting the requirements and that your work is always up-to-date.
#5 Prioritize your work effectively
To be productive, you must prioritize your work in order to ensure you are always working on the right thing at the right time.
One way to prioritize your work is to use the Eisenhower matrix. The Eisenhower matrix is a tool that helps you prioritize tasks by urgency and importance.
Urgency
Tasks can be classified as either urgent or non-urgent. Urgent tasks are those that need to be done right away, while non-urgent tasks can be done later.
Importance
Tasks can also be classified as either important or unimportant. Important tasks are those that need to be done, while unimportant tasks can be skipped.
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The Eisenhower Matrix
The Eisenhower matrix is a two-by-two grid that helps you classify tasks by urgency and importance. To use the matrix, start by putting all of your tasks into one of the four squares.
Urgent and Important Tasks
Tasks that are both urgent and important should be given top priority, as they need to be done right away. These tasks should be handled first, before anything else.
Urgent but Unimportant Tasks
Tasks that are urgent but unimportant can usually be postponed until later. However, if there are too many of these tasks, they can quickly become a burden. In this case, it may be best to delegate some of them to someone else.
Non-Urgent but Important Tasks
Non-urgent but important tasks should be given lower priority, as they can usually wait until later. However, these tasks should not be ignored, as they still need to be done at some point.
Non-Urgent and Unimportant Tasks
Tasks that are non-urgent and unimportant can usually be skipped altogether. However, if there are only a few of them, it may be best to just get them out of the way so that you can focus on more important things.
Shiny Objects
#6 Eliminate distractions
Dedicated Workspace
Setting up a dedicated workspace can help you eliminate distractions and focus on your work. A dedicated workspace can be in the form of a desk in a quiet area of the office, or it can be a home office that is separate from the rest of your home.
If you have a dedicated workspace, make sure to remove all distractions from it. This means removing all unnecessary items from your desk and turning off all notifications on your computer and phone.
If you are unable to set up a dedicated workspace, you can try using noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions.
By eliminating distractions, you can ensure that you are able to focus on your work and be more productive.
No Family/Pet Distractions
When working from home, you may also need to eliminate distractions related to family or pet interruptions. Consider defining work-hour rules. For example, if the door to your room is closed it means you are working and there should be no interruptions.
If you have pets, try to set a schedule for them as well. Schedule when you will care for them- feeding them, taking them out, etc. Stick to the schedule so that you know and they know what the schedule is and will stick to it. This will help you dedicate time to work.
#7 Create a balanced schedule
Being productive also means finding a balance between work time, break time, and family time. You should make sure to set aside enough time for each of these things and try to stick to a schedule as much as possible. This will help you stay productive and avoid burnout.
Working hard is great, and you need to define your work schedule to fit the needs of your organization. But you need to balance it with your health wellness needs too.
Leave time for collaboration. Don't assume that work time means nothing but heads-down coding. Developers can sometimes get caught up in heads-down coding mode and forget the value and necessity of collaboration and teamwork.
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Breaks are important, and you should make sure to build break time into your schedule as well. This will allow you to take a break from work and relax for a bit, which can help you stay productive later on.
You can try to break up your workday into several smaller chunks, each consisting of a few hours of work followed by a break. This will help you maintain focus throughout the day.
Additionally, you should try to take a full break every once in a while. This means completely stepping away from work and not checking your phone or computer. Instead, use this time to relax and rejuvenate yourself.
Make sure to set aside enough time for each of these things and try to stick to a schedule as much as possible. This will help you stay productive and avoid burnout. Working hard is great, but you need to balance it with your health wellness needs too.
#8 Take care of yourself
You must take care of yourself! This means good sleep, eating well, and exercising so that your mental and physical health makes you productive.
If you don't take care of yourself, developer productivity will decline as well as your health and cognitive capabilities. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. This will help you stay healthy and productive.
Many software engineers simply do not do this. We get into heads-down mode and crank out code, not moving out of our chairs for hours at a time. Then we complain because we have headaches, or get brain fog, or can't sleep well and are run down the next day.
You must create a balance of work and self-care in order to be as productive as possible.
#9 Keep learning new things
One great way to avoid burnout and to actually ignite developer productivity is to keep learning new things. Learning keeps your mind active and helps you stay current in your field. It can also help you find new ways to improve your productivity.
There are many ways to learn new things, and you should find one that works best for you. You could do hobby projects, take online courses, read books or articles, or attend workshops or conferences.
By continuing to learn, you can ensure that you are always up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in your field. This will help you stay productive and continue to produce high-quality work.
#10 Use day-end to plan for the next day
A great way to proactively improve developer productivity is through end-of-day planning for the next day. This means taking a few minutes to review your current agile workflow status. Review your current user story tasks and velocity and reflect on any impediments to share in the next stand-up. Review upcoming tasks and think over what preparation might be possible to make you more productive.
This proactive end-of-day planning could also be a less formal but still effective process of making a list of tasks that you need to get done the next day.
If not already using any specific agile or task tools, you can use a tool like Asana or Trello to create a list of tasks and track your progress. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you don't forget any important tasks.
By doing some end-of-day proper planning, you can start your next day off on the right foot and be more productive overall.
Be Productive - Be Happy!
When you are productive, you are getting things done. That makes your employer happy and it makes you happy. You are getting things done, learning new things, and feeling a sense of accomplishment. You are also happier and hopefully healthier too.
Hopefully, you've found some useful tips here you can apply to future projects.
Now, who would have guessed that developer productivity could be so much fun?!
Kevin
Kevin