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Thursday, December 25, 2014

Pragmatic Teams (Part 1)

So far, we have seen so many techniques that can help you as a better individual. But the value and outcome of these techniques are multiplied manyfold if you are working in a pragmatic team. Here are some of those techniques we already discussed in terms of teams:

No Broken Windows

Remember the broken window which you were too lazy to fix? It can happen to teams also. It is difficult for a pragmatic programmer if she joins a team which doesn't care about the quality. Some teams apply a quality manager, to take care of the issues. This is absolutely ridiculous! Pragmatic teams know that quality is the result of contributions from each and every member in the team.

Boiled Frogs

You might as well remember the frog which doesn't notice the gradual change in the water and ends up cooked. Being concious and mindful about all the varying aspects is not always easy, even for a team. Sometimes occurs from the assumption that someone else is already looking into the issue.

Fight this. Make sure that everyone monitors the change. If not, appoint a chief water tester, who constantly checks for variations. It is not necessary that you have to reject the change. At least, you should be aware of it.

Communicate

Good teams communicate well! Customers love to talk to such teams because their meetings are well organized. Discussions are live and the team speaks with one voice.

Don't Repeat Yourself

Chances of duplication is more in a team. A good project librarian can help in such situations. If a team member is looking for something, she must know that she has to talk to this person first. What if the project is too large for one person to handle? Divide it based on functional aspects so that one person can handle one particular aspect of the entire project.


- summary of Pragmatic Teams, from The Pragmatic Programmer: from Journeyman to Master.

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