Working with Developers. How to Tell if Your Developer is Lying to You - with Duncan McGregor

TL;DR

Understanding the needs and motivations of developers is crucial for successful collaboration, including a focus on delivery and technology. Misleading or lying can occur due to various reasons, such as project management pressure or the desire to maintain code quality.

Transcript

Duncan welcome thank you Mike nice to see you so for those who don't know Duncan McGregor like many of the best people trained as a physicist but uh he discovered very early on that he has a talent for and a love of writing software so he's been a professional developer for 35 years writing code and running projects for large UK clients including t... Read More

Key Insights

• 🪡 Understanding the needs and motivations of developers is crucial for effective collaboration.
• 🤗 Building trust and a good relationship with developers can lead to open and honest communication.
• 🤥 Misleading or lying may occur due to project management pressure or the desire to maintain code quality.
• 🚚 Agile practices, such as continuous delivery and frequent small deliveries, can help improve transparency and progress tracking.
• 🤗 Psychological safety plays a vital role in creating an environment that encourages open communication and trust.
• 🫡 Project managers should value and respect the work of developers while also setting realistic expectations.
• ❓ Software development is complex and requires ongoing learning and adaptation.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the main concerns of a development team?

Developers care about delivery and using technology to make an impact. They want to produce software that makes a difference and be motivated by doing what they do well.

Q: Why might developers mislead or lie to project managers?

Developers may mislead or lie due to project management pressure, the desire to please, or the need to maintain code quality. They may also pad estimates or withhold information that is not needed at the time.

Q: How can project managers tell if developers are misrepresenting the truth?

It can be challenging to determine if developers are deliberately lying, but there are clues. Developing a good relationship with developers, observing patterns, and paying attention to their body language can help project managers gauge the truthfulness of the information provided.

Q: Is measuring velocity a useful method for tracking progress?

Measuring velocity can provide valuable data, but project managers need to understand that estimates are not set in stone. Agile practices recommend focusing on verifiable progress and delivering small increments of work regularly.

Q: How can project managers create an environment that encourages open communication with developers?

Project managers should prioritize psychological safety, allowing developers to feel comfortable sharing the truth without fear of negative consequences. Establishing trust and recognizing the value of their work can foster collaboration and transparency.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Developers prioritize delivery and the use of technology to make a difference in the world.

• Building a good relationship and trust with developers is essential to encourage open and honest communication.

• Misleading or lying can occur due to project management pressure or the need to uphold code quality.