Processes
Frequent Code Changes Lead to New Bugs A common indicator of slow progress on resolving software defects in Agile development environments is when new features are continuously added without adequate testing, resulting in the introduction of regressions and new bugs. An example scenario demonstrating this issue occurs when a developer hastily adds functionality to meet…
What are Process Smells? Process smells are suboptimal workflows, practices, and behaviors that indicate deeper collaboration issues on agile software development teams. They are symptoms of friction, misalignment, and lack of trust between team members that manifest in development processes. If left unaddressed, process smells lead to tangible consequences like slow progress, poor quality, and…
Software development teams often struggle to complete all planned tasks within a sprint iteration. Heavy workloads, unclear requirements, and poor collaboration can cause teams to miss deadlines and carry over unfinished work. This article explores practices for improving teamwork and communication to help developers collaborate more effectively and deliver work on time. Defining the Problem:…
What are Process Smells? Process smells are suboptimal workflows, practices, and behaviors that indicate deeper collaboration issues on agile software development teams. They are symptoms of friction, misalignment, and lack of trust between team members that manifest in development processes. If left unaddressed, process smells lead to tangible consequences like slow progress, poor quality, and…
Understanding the Core Problem The core issue being addressed is how to effectively evaluate project management solutions in a comprehensive, holistic manner. Often, organizations take a narrow approach focused solely on features, functionality and costs when selecting PM tools and methodologies. However, this fails to account for critical cross-functional impacts and alignment with broader business…
The Dilemma of Timeboxes Timeboxes, such as sprints in agile development, create a recurring deadline for delivering working software. On one hand, timeboxes propel the team to make regular progress. The cadence of sprints forces planning, prioritization, and production. On the other hand, time pressure can lead to rushed work and technical debt. Rigid timelines…
The Problem of Outdated Documentation Documentation that accurately reflects the current state of a product or process is critical for users to be productive. However, keeping documentation updated is an arduous task that often gets neglected, leading to outdated and misleading information. There are several reasons documentation easily becomes outdated: Frequent product changes and new…
Identifying Bug Origins When a new bug is reported, the first step is to identify its origin. This involves reviewing recent code changes, checking if the issue replicates in previous versions, and understanding the difference between the intended and actual behavior of the affected feature. Reviewing Commit History for Recent Changes Using version control system…
Defining Key Processes Before Tool Selection Clearly outlining key business processes is an essential first step before selecting any tools to support those processes. Taking the time to map processes, analyze requirements, and document needs helps prevent organizations from purchasing tools misaligned with workflows and objectives. Documenting processes involves understanding key inputs, outputs, activities, roles,…
The Need for Centralized Communication Having a single point of contact (SPOC) for project communication provides multiple benefits. It avoids confusion that stems from messages coming from multiple senders. Team members and stakeholders know precisely who to reach out to for official project information and updates. A SPOC streamlines the flow of communication through a…
