To Build Better Software, Build Better Developers and Testers

Developers and testers are, by their very nature, curious creatures. But when facing deadlines, they often become fixated on solving today's problem and miss the bigger picture. Over time and under pressure, they lose their motivation to learn new information and acquire new skills. Without a plan encouraging learning can be costly—and can backfire. A professional development plan should incorporate practical strategies and techniques for the entire team and managers. Fortunately many proven techniques exist for professional development: code katas, code dojos, workplace user groups, agile learning, and evaluation, as well as time management methodologies such as the prioritization matrix and Getting Things Done (GTD). Kick-start professional development by learning some of these opportunities and techniques, and see which can have the best return and long-term maintainability for your team’s developers, testers, and managers.