03 May Why Is Software Development So Hard?

#6: Managing Multiple Projects and Expectations

• Start by tracking the amount of time you spend on tasks
• Once you understand where your time is going, see what tasks you can cut out or delegate to others.
• If the scope of work seems too large for the current iteration or threatens a hard deadline, push non-essential changes to the next sprint

#5: Not Having the Right Resources or Requirements

• Reach out to your team for any resources essential to your current work or overall role.
• ask if the feature requiring that resource is truly necessary, or if it can wait until the next iteration.
•  And always be sure to mention your blockers during stand-ups. Keep your team informed and aware of all the problems.
• When it comes to requirements, take the extra time needed for a proper review. 
• Interview the project owner and key stakeholders to understand the purpose of the project. Don’t commit to a task unless you have a complete understanding of the work.

#4: Understanding Complex Systems

• Get familiar with the team’s coding practices and standards
• If you’re stuck on a particular module, set aside some distraction-free time to step through it and write down any unanswerable questions that arise.
• If possible, pair up with a teammate who’s more familiar with the code base
• Don’t hesitate to use documentation, FAQs, customer support, chat rooms, and community forums. 
• When all else fails, Google (or DuckDuckGo) it!

#3: Keeping Up With Technology

• Constantly learning new technologies and practices. 
• Have days where you don’t work on your current project, but rather spend your time researching and learning about new technologies.
• When learning a new service, take advantage of free trials and educational materials. 
• Consider contributing to open-source projects to practice your skills outside of work.
• Don’t get distracted here when looking at a project. Choose the right tools for the task, which may or may not be shiny, new ones.

#2: Balancing Communication and Interruptions

• Constant communication between developers, team leads, and other departments is essential for keeping everyone on the same page
• When coding, eliminate distractions and dedicate yourself to the task. 
• Have days on your calendar just for coding, wear headphones and change your status in communication tools.
• Once you are focused, think critically about the problem, evaluate it from different angles, research multiple options, and plan out your implementation strategy in advance.
• Document your decisions (as well as your code), and be prepared to justify them.

#1: Feeling Like You Don’t Belong

• Despite their education, expertise, and experience, as many as 58% of tech workers suffer from imposter syndrome.
• When a developer faces a task that pushes their abilities or challenges their self-confidence, he or she might question their ability to do the job- This could lead to a negative feedback loop that eventually ends with the developer becoming disengaged at work, or even quitting their job.
• Don’t isolate yourself!
  • Engage with the development community:
    • Network with other developers
    • follow industry leaders
    • Attend events.
• Use the opportunity to share your knowledge, collaborate, and learn something new. Remember, everyone feels this way at times.