Humans of Software Development: A Workshop Recap

I recently had the pleasure of attending and hosting the "Humans of Software Development" workshop from the product space. It was a fantastic experience, and I wanted to share some key takeaways and reflections from the day.

The Workshop: A Deep Dive into the Human Side of Software

The workshop, expertly led by Sanjeev Subramaniam , focused on the often-overlooked human element in software development. Sanjeev's insights were invaluable. He emphasized the importance of collaboration, culture, and decision-making within development teams and how these factors significantly impact the success of a software project.

Key Takeaways

• Shared Definition of Success: The workshop began by stressing the importance of a shared understanding of success among all stakeholders – the team, users, and the business. True success is achieved only when everyone involved succeeds together.
• Conversational Communication: We learned about the power of open and honest communication within teams. Sanjeev highlighted the need for a conversational approach where everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas, concerns, and feedback.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: The workshop emphasized the importance of breaking down silos between different teams, such as development, design, and business. Collaboration and empathy across these functions are crucial for building high-quality software.
• Decision-Making: We explored various decision-making processes and techniques, including identifying and overcoming cognitive biases and indecision. We stressed the importance of making informed decisions that benefit the entire team.
• Technical Practices: The workshop also touched upon technical practices that enable effective communication and collaboration, such as pair programming, mob programming, and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD).

Moving Forward

The "Humans of Software Development" workshop reminded us that software development is not just about code; it's about people. By focusing on collaboration, communication, and culture, we can create a more positive and productive working environment, leading to better software and more successful projects.

I encourage everyone involved in software development to prioritize the human element. Invest in building strong teams, foster open communication, and empower individuals to make informed decisions. This approach will create a more human-centred approach to software development, leading to better outcomes for everyone involved.

I would conclude this article with the same message that Sanjeev concluded the workshop with.

While AI is busy conquering the solution space, let us focus on the more complex one, the problem space (Human aspects of software development)!

Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.