These forums have been archived and are now read-only.

The new forums are live and can be found at https://forums.eveonline.com/

EVE General Discussion

 
  • Topic is locked indefinitely.
12Next page
 

4 Signs of Developer Burn Out (article)
Author
Previous Topic Next Topic
Doreen Kaundur
#1 - 2014-06-19 03:29:54 UTC
An interesting article that very much applies to all software developers...including Eve's.

Quote:
4 Signs of Developer Burn Out

Developing software, both new solutions and revisions to existing, is an intense task that requires mental focus and creative thinking. When coupled with the common workplace stresses and tight deadlines it is easy to see how those in the trenches start to feel like they are running dry.

Developer burn out effects the entire team and seeps into every aspect of the project. As morale plummets, productivity decreases and innovation flat lines. The key to avoiding this situation is to recognizing the signs of developer burn out while there is still time to react.

Unanswered Questions
The most common reason an otherwise responsive individual will avoid answering a question is lack of time. Either he or she knows the answer but doesn’t feel that there is enough time thoroughly explain it to you or the answer is unknown and there isn’t enough time to perform the research required to get to the answer.

Missed Deadlines
Occasionally, milestones are missed. But when it develops into a routine way of running a project it signals a larger problem. As burn out sets in, the ability of the developer to work efficiently decreases. The same task that would normally require only a few days to complete may stretch into a few weeks. In iterative design projects, multiple missed milestones may result in delaying the product’s release.

Decreased Enthusiasm
If your development team is starting to look more like an accounting department and less like an excited group of new graduates it may be time to evaluate. Development teams are usually a little quirky, that is what allows them to think outside the box and create innovative solutions.

When overburdened, that enthusiasm will wane and what is left is a set of resources in survivor mode; simply going through the motions to get through the day.

Finger Pointing
An unwillingness to take responsibility is a sure sign that the team is feeling the crush of an increasing workload, tightened schedules and changing priorities. Throwing project tasks over the wall is a tactic used by those who feel that they do not have the knowledge or time to develop a solution on their own.

Every team has strengths and weaknesses; be on the lookout for the sudden onset of any of these situations as it may signal that the team is feel overburdened. Knowing your people and the dynamics of the team is key to recognizing when something is off.

If you suspect that your development resources are stretched past their capacity provide support in the form of schedule relief or additional resources. Outsource developers can quickly onboard to handle routine aspects of the project, freeing fulltime resources to be innovative. If the stress is related to lack of skill, a specially-talented resource can alleviate the burden.

[center]1. Minor navigation color change. 2. Show bookmarks in the overview.[/center]
Sibyyl
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#2 - 2014-06-19 03:46:40 UTC
I think these symptoms of burnout apply to all professions and personal endeavors too (including playing EVE, for some!).

Joffy Aulx-Gao for CSM. Fix links and OGB. Ban stabs from plexes. Fulfill karmic justice.
Wacktopia
Fleet-Up.com
Keep It Simple Software Group
#3 - 2014-06-19 08:48:29 UTC  |  Edited by: Wacktopia
Be a better article if it had positive, constructive information rather than "look, you burned out your dev team, look how ****ed and tired they are".

Kitchen sink? Seriousy, get your ship together -  Fleet-Up.com
Marc Durant
#4 - 2014-06-19 08:53:32 UTC
If people are treated like cattle, they'll start acting like cattle.

Yes, yes I am. Thanks for noticing.
Ramona McCandless
Silent Vale
LinkNet
#5 - 2014-06-19 09:06:38 UTC
If you treat "people" with respect, they get ideas above their station

"Yea, some dude came in and was normal for first couple months, so I gave him director." - Sean Dunaway

"A singular character could be hired to penetrate another corps space... using gorilla like tactics..." - Chane Morgann
Chribba
Otherworld Enterprises
Otherworld Empire
#6 - 2014-06-19 09:30:54 UTC
Everyone, just not in development or whatever should pat other people on the back and compliment them for their work.

Even if you are thanking the bus driver for the ride, despite the bus being late, as it's most likely not the drivers fault. He will be happy you thanked him and more eager to do a good job, making it a nicer ride for you. Everyone wins.

A simple thanks makes wonders if more people started doing it.

And with that, thank you to OP for linking that article. Keep up the good work!

/c

★★★ Secure 3rd party service ★★★

Visit my in-game channel 'Holy Veldspar'

Twitter @ChribbaVeldspar
Inxentas Ultramar
Ultramar Independent Contracting
#7 - 2014-06-19 09:55:43 UTC
Yes, I recognize most of the points in that article. Guess what I'm doing with my dev time? Lol
Caviar Liberta
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#8 - 2014-06-19 11:56:45 UTC
Marc Durant wrote:
If people are treated like cattle, they'll start acting like cattle.


Morning meeting
War Kitten
Panda McLegion
#9 - 2014-06-19 12:04:07 UTC
Quote:
Developer burn out effects the entire team and seeps into every aspect of the project. As morale plummets, productivity decreases and innovation flat lines. The key to avoiding this situation is to recognizing the signs of developer burn out while there is still time to react.


*affects

Please notify the author of the correction.

I don't judge people by their race, religion, color, size, age, gender, or ethnicity. I judge them by their grammar, spelling, syntax, punctuation, clarity of expression, and logical consistency.
Slade Trillgon
Brutor Force Federated
#10 - 2014-06-19 12:06:43 UTC
Ramona McCandless wrote:
If you treat "people" with respect, they get ideas above their station


You treat them like they have no station they start getting other ideas. Funny place to be picking between either set of ideas Pirate
Agondray
Avenger Mercenaries
VOID Intergalactic Forces
#11 - 2014-06-19 13:12:07 UTC
1) Unanswered questions: with the dev turn over rates and the evidence that no one exist at ccp that started eve, people have no clue whats next nor which way to go. (the government or military take your pick)


2) Missed Deadlines: Between no one from the orginal code left and no one trying to learn the old code, nor attempt to rewrite the game in new code, they combine the new code and hope to god it works with out crippling something else.(any complex project with a start and an end, does no good when you have people trained to a job but dont know the job like installing a Garmin G1000 navigation system into a plane.)


3)Decreased Enthusiasm: Really? their constantly having parties atleast once a quarter now, plus events and music videos, if you dont like your work enough to make a difference and care about your customers (paying or not) then leave. (Working for many people across a base all because they heard of ones abilities and performance, you dont get paid any extra for outperforming, but make a difference in someones mission readiness that may affect many more people just by caring about the work you do even if it is for someone else.)


4) Finger Pointing: Happens everywhere because people are to afraid to step up and accept true responsibility, the only time something should fall on to someone else if when someone must complete their job part 1, for you to do job part 2. (like building a house, you cant build a roof if the framers done built the frame to put it on)

"Sarcasm is the Recourse of a weak mind." -Dr. Smith
Ramona McCandless
Silent Vale
LinkNet
#12 - 2014-06-19 13:19:10 UTC
Slade Trillgon wrote:
Ramona McCandless wrote:
If you treat "people" with respect, they get ideas above their station


You treat them like they have no station they start getting other ideas. Funny place to be picking between either set of ideas Pirate


Really? I imagine it was a very appropriate place Twisted

"Yea, some dude came in and was normal for first couple months, so I gave him director." - Sean Dunaway

"A singular character could be hired to penetrate another corps space... using gorilla like tactics..." - Chane Morgann
Sibyyl
Garoun Investment Bank
Gallente Federation
#13 - 2014-06-19 13:30:58 UTC
Slade Trillgon wrote:
Ramona McCandless wrote:
If you treat "people" with respect, they get ideas above their station


You treat them like they have no station they start getting other ideas. Funny place to be picking between either set of ideas Pirate

I thought you always shoot at people with "no station"..

Joffy Aulx-Gao for CSM. Fix links and OGB. Ban stabs from plexes. Fulfill karmic justice.
Slade Trillgon
Brutor Force Federated
#14 - 2014-06-19 14:42:04 UTC  |  Edited by: Slade Trillgon
Ramona McCandless wrote:
Slade Trillgon wrote:
Ramona McCandless wrote:
If you treat "people" with respect, they get ideas above their station


You treat them like they have no station they start getting other ideas. Funny place to be picking between either set of ideas Pirate


Really? I imagine it was a very appropriate place Twisted


Oh, it can be until one loses the balance that kept 'them all' just happy enough Blink Unfortunately most people in the position you bring up ultimately fail at that balance Pirate

EDIT:


Sibyyl wrote:

I thought you always shoot at people with "no station"..


You saw what I did there Lol
BeBopAReBop RhubarbPie
University of Caille
Gallente Federation
#15 - 2014-06-19 16:42:16 UTC
Chribba wrote:
Everyone, just not in development or whatever should pat other people on the back and compliment them for their work.

Even if you are thanking the bus driver for the ride, despite the bus being late, as it's most likely not the drivers fault. He will be happy you thanked him and more eager to do a good job, making it a nicer ride for you. Everyone wins.

A simple thanks makes wonders if more people started doing it.

And with that, thank you to OP for linking that article. Keep up the good work!

/c

You just say this because you like being complimented! I'm not going to fall for it!

*must resist*

...

Thanks for the sites Chribba.

Founder of Violet Squadron, a small gang NPSI community! Mail me for more information.

BeBopAReBop RhubarbPie's Space Mediation Service!
Eternum Praetorian
Doomheim
#16 - 2014-06-19 17:47:54 UTC
I wonder how long it will take the ISD's to close this thread too...



Anyone else here noticing that we are no longer allowed to talk about certain subjects?

[center]The EVE Gateway Blog[/center] [center]One Of EVE Online's Ultimate Resources[/center]
Solecist Project
#17 - 2014-06-19 17:56:42 UTC
Thank you all for existing so I can hate you and kill you.

Worthless scum. Thanks! :D

That ringing in your ears you're experiencing right now is the last gasping breathe of a dying inner ear as it got thoroughly PULVERISED by the point roaring over your head at supersonic speeds. - Tippia
Yarda Black
The Black Redemption
#18 - 2014-06-19 17:59:30 UTC
The symptoms of burnout can be found incredibly easy on the internet. Burnout can and will occur in all professions.

Dont post stuff like this. Do it right and proper or not at all
Doreen Kaundur
#19 - 2014-06-19 18:03:31 UTC
Yarda Black wrote:
The symptoms of burnout can be found incredibly easy on the internet. Burnout can and will occur in all professions.

Dont post stuff like this. Do it right and proper or not at all


As the title says, this is specifically about software DEVELOPER burnout.

[center]1. Minor navigation color change. 2. Show bookmarks in the overview.[/center]
Yarda Black
The Black Redemption
#20 - 2014-06-19 18:30:21 UTC
Doreen Kaundur wrote:
Yarda Black wrote:
The symptoms of burnout can be found incredibly easy on the internet. Burnout can and will occur in all professions.

Dont post stuff like this. Do it right and proper or not at all


As the title says, this is specifically about software DEVELOPER burnout.


No it is not. Nowhere in that "article" does he define "burnout". Nor does he bother to refer to the observations he (apperantly) uses to base his statements on.

It is very intersting to read. It is not an article about burnout tho. I'm sorry to say developers are also just human and will follow the same rules as the rest of us.

This article holds some interesting stuff about that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnout_(psychology)
12Next page