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For software development, quantifying output or defining a finite set of tasks is almost impossible. Unlike traditional industries where tasks can be standardiz

by bratao 3y ago

For software development, quantifying output or defining a finite set of tasks is almost impossible. Unlike traditional industries where tasks can be standardized and expected output can be clearly defined, software development is a different beast altogether. Speaking from personal experience, my task list is filled with an infinite number of features to implement and bugs to fix. It's a dynamic landscape that changes with every new technology, user feedback, or market demand. It's not something that can be completed within a set timeframe, rather it's a continuous process of improvement and adaptation.

coldtea 3y ago
>For software development, quantifying output or defining a finite set of tasks is almost impossible For paid work, it's mandatory. Companies do planning, sprints, tasks, prioritization and so on. Else it's not software development, is an infinite pile of random tasks.
- bratao 3y ago
  I'm curious as to how this would work in practice. For instance, if an individual is able to complete their sprint while juggling two other full-time jobs, does this imply they should have taken on more tasks? This approach seems to only be effective if one team member significantly outperforms the rest. If a company's sprint is easily manageable, does this suggest that the team size should be reduced, potentially leading to layoffs?
  - coldtea 3y ago
    >This approach seems to only be effective if one team member significantly outperforms the rest. If a company's sprint is easily manageable, does this suggest that the team size should be reduced, potentially leading to layoffs? Or, god forbid, that it reached an optimal work/life balance for team members, while still hitting specific company targets, and should be left as is.
    - bratao 3y ago
      I fully agree that the work load should reach an optimal work/life balance. But how this is possible if someone is taking two extra full time jobs on top of it?
      - coldtea 3y ago
        That's their decision - to sacrifice their work/life balance to do another job, as opposed to it being a single company's/manager's decision.
  - cxr 3y ago
    > if an individual is able to complete their sprint while juggling two other full-time jobs, does this imply they should have taken on more tasks? To answer your question: no, it doesn't imply[1] that. Your comments suggest you have a mental model of markets where workers should be rewarded (compensated) by the employer for their toil instead of producing value. That's bad business. It's especially bad business when the reaction is a campaign to realign the organization with an a priori interest in making sure it employs only toilers. > If a company's sprint is easily manageable, does this suggest that the team size should be reduced, potentially leading to layoffs? "Should" from the perspective of whom? You're running on a platform of wealth concentration for business owners. Predatory value extraction. Parasitism instead of symbiosis. <https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37472726 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37472726> Ignoring that, if management has so little idea what workers' output should look like that they resort to basing their assessments on how much it seems to hurt to the worker, then the business should consider focusing on management when deciding who to let go. 1. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entailment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entailment>

by bratao 3y ago

coldtea 3y ago

>For software development, quantifying output or defining a finite set of tasks is almost impossible For paid work, it's mandatory. Companies do planning, sprints, tasks, prioritization and so on. Else it's not software development, is an infinite pile of random tasks.

bratao 3y ago
I'm curious as to how this would work in practice. For instance, if an individual is able to complete their sprint while juggling two other full-time jobs, does this imply they should have taken on more tasks? This approach seems to only be effective if one team member significantly outperforms the rest. If a company's sprint is easily manageable, does this suggest that the team size should be reduced, potentially leading to layoffs?
- coldtea 3y ago
  >This approach seems to only be effective if one team member significantly outperforms the rest. If a company's sprint is easily manageable, does this suggest that the team size should be reduced, potentially leading to layoffs? Or, god forbid, that it reached an optimal work/life balance for team members, while still hitting specific company targets, and should be left as is.
  - bratao 3y ago
    I fully agree that the work load should reach an optimal work/life balance. But how this is possible if someone is taking two extra full time jobs on top of it?
    - coldtea 3y ago
      That's their decision - to sacrifice their work/life balance to do another job, as opposed to it being a single company's/manager's decision.
- cxr 3y ago
  > if an individual is able to complete their sprint while juggling two other full-time jobs, does this imply they should have taken on more tasks? To answer your question: no, it doesn't imply[1] that. Your comments suggest you have a mental model of markets where workers should be rewarded (compensated) by the employer for their toil instead of producing value. That's bad business. It's especially bad business when the reaction is a campaign to realign the organization with an a priori interest in making sure it employs only toilers. > If a company's sprint is easily manageable, does this suggest that the team size should be reduced, potentially leading to layoffs? "Should" from the perspective of whom? You're running on a platform of wealth concentration for business owners. Predatory value extraction. Parasitism instead of symbiosis. <https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37472726 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37472726> Ignoring that, if management has so little idea what workers' output should look like that they resort to basing their assessments on how much it seems to hurt to the worker, then the business should consider focusing on management when deciding who to let go. 1. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entailment https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entailment>