Which software development approaches are the best at keeping stress levels low and developers happy?

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VP of Engineering2 months ago

The best approach can vary from team to team and project to project. However, we've recently started using agile development. Unlike the waterfall model where you have set timelines and deliverables, agile involves frequent communication and daily stand-up calls. This helps us identify and address any impediments quickly. Another team member can step in to assist if there's an issue, which helps keep stress levels low.

In addition, empowering the team to make decisions is crucial. Not everything has to go through managers or leadership. Giving team members more autonomy can reduce stress caused by micromanagement. When people have ownership, they tend to feel more satisfied with their work, which can also help reduce stress. Of course, mistakes can happen, but as a leader, it's our job to step in and help them out.

Recognizing their talent and appreciating their work, especially in team meetings, can give them an adrenaline boost and further reduce stress.

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VP of Engineering2 months ago

I agree with Vivek, and I'd like to add that software development can be unpredictable, so even with agile, there are still expectations to meet. What has worked for us is being very transparent with the work and coaching teams to understand that empowerment involves making your work transparent and gaining trust.

Recognition is also important. We shouldn't wait too long to recognize someone's efforts. We use a team channel for ad hoc recognition, whether it's daily, every sprint, or every quarter. Making the shoutouts meaningful and tying them to the impact on a company value or business metric can help reduce stress.

Lastly, finding some downtime is crucial. With global teams, it can be hard to know when people's days start and end. So, having a few minutes to wind down and talk about things they care about has been well received. These are just a few of the low-hanging fruits, but they've been well received so far.

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