Number 1 Reason Why Your Team Is Struggling: How to Fix
Introduce a few basic practices to deliver better software
Recently, I had an interesting conversation with an overwhelmed product owner. Let’s call her Sarah…
Sarah: "Adnan, I'm really struggling with my team. We're delivering features, but we're also dealing with a lot of defects, misinterpretation of requirements and the codebase takes longer to change than it should."
Adnan: "I know how you feel. It's like trying to build a house on quicksand. No matter how much you pour into it, it just keeps sinking."
Sarah: "Yeah, that's exactly it. We're just spinning our wheels and not making progress."
Adnan: "Well, think of it like this. Good technical practices are the foundation of any building. Without a solid foundation, the whole structure is at risk. And that's what's happening with your team."
Sarah: "I see what you mean. So, what can we do about it?"
Adnan: "Think of it like a puzzle. Each technical practice is a piece that fits together to form a solid foundation. And when you have all the pieces in place, the structure becomes much more stable."
Sarah: "Okay, I'm ready to put the puzzle together. How do we start?"
Adnan: "First, let's focus on the basics. Make sure your team is following good development practices, like code reviews, testing, and continuous integration. These are the cornerstones of a solid foundation. And once that's in place, we can work on more advanced practices like refactoring, automated testing, and continuous delivery."
Sarah: "That all makes sense. I'm feeling more optimistic now. Thanks, Adnan."
Adnan: "Of course, Sarah. Remember, building a solid foundation takes time and effort, but it's worth it in the long run. And I'm here to help every step of the way.”
Your turn: Does your team suffer with inconsistencies? What have you done to help?