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Yes, performance management is really hard (remote or not): the reality is that it is actually quite difficult to measure the output of software engineers. Ther
by cdavid 7y ago
Yes, performance management is really hard (remote or not): the reality is that it is actually quite difficult to measure the output of software engineers. There are definitely overly bad measures (LOC, etc.), but things like mentoring, quality of code review, etc. are hard to measure if you are not observing them directly.
- raxxorrax 7y agoBad management often uses metrics like this. Instead, it is managements job to define goals and distribute work. A developer should be measured if he reached the defined goal and the efficiency of the solution. Any other metric would probably fall short.
- Ididntdothis 7y agoIt’s not that simple. Nobody knows how much a tech project takes so it’s hard to allocate resources and budget for it. I often see people producing nothing tangible for months but I know they are working on something difficult and I can judge their work because I understand it. If you don’t have that knowledge how can you manage your workforce? It gets even worse with remote where you don’t know if somebody is at least working or just sitting around.
- ska 7y agoIt gets even worse with remote where you don’t know if somebody is at least working or just sitting around. This is less clear in a office than it seems at first glance - appearing productive and being productive are two very different things.
- Ididntdothis 7y agoFrom my experience appearing to be productive is sufficient in most companies.
- matwood 7y ago> It gets even worse with remote where you don’t know if somebody is at least working or just sitting around. People sit around in an office just as easily as they do at home. If seeing a butt in the seat is proof of working, you have already been fooled.
- Ididntdothis 7y ago“If seeing a butt in the seat is proof of working, you have already been fooled.” Correct. In most companies you can get away with this for a long time though or even have a great career.
- swagasaurus-rex 7y agoThis guy closes the most tickets! He's our best employee! also a prolific ticket opener
- matwood 7y ago> but things like mentoring, quality of code review, etc. are hard to measure if you are not observing them directly. They are still hard to measure even when observing directly.