The Best Collaboration Tips for Software Devs
Photo by Mitchell Luo on Unsplash
I’ve been thinking about the problems we are having at work. Sure, having an agile team with 20+ members does not make sense.
That’s not the real issue at play here. Not even close. There is something else that needs to be thought about and fixed. I think you might be surprised about this.
“It’s all about ATTITUDE.”
The Story
Nothing to do with Brandi Carlile, this is to do with the environment in which I work.
When talking about a simple API call between the front and the back end, we got the following response from a lead developer:
“I’m a backend developer. I don’t care what the front end does with the response.”
What’s the problem?
In our development group, we aren’t exactly encumbered with geniuses. As I write this, I am on a call where the front-end team has been discussing the naming of sizes for an hour.
If you add a lack of collaboration, the team becomes difficult to work with. Things don’t get fixed as fast as they should be. Features don’t get delivered and customers are not happy.
“I’m sure if I asked that particular developer, they would ask me what my problem is.”
The Result: Poor User Experience
Not to give you too much information about where I work, but I can tell you this:
Our user experience sucks.
This is due to our developers not working together. Our BE insists that the FE makes multiple calls to construct a single screen.
Could they implement a more efficient interface? Yet, the sentiment remains the same: the back-end team appears indifferent to the front-end team’s challenges.
“I just hope our mobile customers never have a poor data connection.”
Here is what devs should do
Establish Clear Communication Channels:
Set up regular meetings and communication channels where both front-end and back-end developers can discuss project requirements, progress, and challenges.
“Basically talk, talk, and talk some more.”
Define Common Goals:
Establish shared objectives that underline the importance of teamwork and mutual support in achieving project success.
“Bond with your teammates. Remember that beer after work? Perhaps you should go. Make an effort.”
Use Collaborative Tools:
Utilize tools that promote real-time collaboration and transparency, such as shared repositories, project management tools, and documentation platforms.
“Actually use Slack. For fun too.”
Take part in a Culture of Open Feedback:
Create an environment where team members feel comfortable providing and receiving constructive feedback to improve processes and solutions.
Agile Practices:
Lean on Agile to help you here. You should be in a cross-functional team that is set up for you to succeed on this score.
“If you’re following this blog you’ll know The Secret Developer isn’t in this environment. That doesn’t mean that you should give up though.”
Take responsibility
Lead your team by actually being accountable for what you are doing. Front-end or back-end this should be the same. We all want success so what are you doing to ensure we achieve?
“I don’t know. Code?”
Share Knowledge :
Update that SharePoint. Actually, transfer knowledge to your coworkers to make sure the team succeeds. You know the drill.
“If you know it, why aren’t you doing it? I need to ask my team at work.”
Help Recognize and Celebrate Collaborative Achievements:
Use that system you have at work to recognize your colleagues' good work.
“You are presupposing that there is anything they have done well, aren’t you?”
Conclusion
When you don’t work together, your work sucks. I’m sorry to say it to an audience who invariably cares about things over people.
“However, when you don’t care for people, your code will also suck. Truth.”