"Writing code is a creative endeavor, and not a lot of companies fully understand that," said Lawson in an interview with The Register. "A lot of people think of developers as math nerds who want sit in a corner, eat Doritos, and be told what to build."
'Treat your developers like creative workers – or watch them leave' • The Register
'"Companies need to treat their developers as creative workers and give them a lot of opportunities to flex their creative muscles," said he. '
'Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson believes companies should let their software developers off leash. '
'"Writing code is a creative endeavor, and not a lot of companies fully understand that," said Lawson in an interview with The Register. '
'"If they don't, the developers will leave for another company that does or start their own, because that's a viable option."', "Among companies that tell their developers what to do rather than involving them in the problem-solving process, Lawson believes things won't go well."
There are creative opportunities that can only be seen from the perspective of people deeply involved in the development of a project. These are the kinds of solutions that companies trying to reproduce the "garage" atmosphere are going for.
Doug Engelbart once wrote: "For those who are not highly trained or certified, the services of a pilot are the answer. Passengers are not expected to fly a helicopter; the pilot does that. Similarly, we should expect executives and average knowledge workers wishing to fly through complex or unfamiliar information space to employ cyber pilots."
As a developer I just want a good set of requirements, a decent process (agile, etc), and ample time. This article sounds like a way to burden a developer with extra tasks that are normally done by someone like a product manager.
I'm the one and only developer in my company. The wage is shitty so I'm looking to upgrade, but the one thing I appreciate is coming up with the solutions myself. Only about 10% of my time is actually spent with the keyboard; the rest of the time I'm thinking about the problem and doodling my CRC cards. Losing that is what I worry about most when I'm job-searching.
18 comments
8 u/happy_snek 31 Jan 2017 22:41
Shitty work environment, no time spent on planning, shoving absolute garbage into production. Again. And again.
Yeah, I don't care how much you pay me after years of that. My sanity is worth more.
-1 u/jlovisa 03 Feb 2017 02:56
You should come join us in the Emergent Coding community ;).
4 u/roznak [OP] 31 Jan 2017 20:26
3 u/derram 31 Jan 2017 20:31
https://archive.is/5RsXD | https://vgy.me/zSd01f.png :
'"Companies need to treat their developers as creative workers and give them a lot of opportunities to flex their creative muscles," said he. '
'Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson believes companies should let their software developers off leash. '
'"Writing code is a creative endeavor, and not a lot of companies fully understand that," said Lawson in an interview with The Register. '
'"If they don't, the developers will leave for another company that does or start their own, because that's a viable option."', "Among companies that tell their developers what to do rather than involving them in the problem-solving process, Lawson believes things won't go well."
This has been an automated message.
1 u/ioillusion 01 Feb 2017 01:05
There are creative opportunities that can only be seen from the perspective of people deeply involved in the development of a project. These are the kinds of solutions that companies trying to reproduce the "garage" atmosphere are going for.
Doug Engelbart once wrote: "For those who are not highly trained or certified, the services of a pilot are the answer. Passengers are not expected to fly a helicopter; the pilot does that. Similarly, we should expect executives and average knowledge workers wishing to fly through complex or unfamiliar information space to employ cyber pilots."
1 u/kevf4 01 Feb 2017 03:57
As a developer I just want a good set of requirements, a decent process (agile, etc), and ample time. This article sounds like a way to burden a developer with extra tasks that are normally done by someone like a product manager.
0 u/roznak [OP] 01 Feb 2017 17:45
That is not the hallmark of a "creative" developer.
1 u/ot_to_know 01 Feb 2017 10:53
Spot on! My day job has a consistent history of this but refuse to understand why we can't keep top talent.
1 u/Genial 02 Feb 2017 06:30
Yes yes yes.
I'm the one and only developer in my company. The wage is shitty so I'm looking to upgrade, but the one thing I appreciate is coming up with the solutions myself. Only about 10% of my time is actually spent with the keyboard; the rest of the time I'm thinking about the problem and doodling my CRC cards. Losing that is what I worry about most when I'm job-searching.
0 u/J_Darnley 31 Jan 2017 20:54
Please don't do that. More turn-over might let me get a job.
3 u/DinoRider 31 Jan 2017 21:29
I don’t think treating developers poorly creates more jobs. It just makes more of the jobs crappy.
0 u/J_Darnley 31 Jan 2017 21:33
No but if you quit your job it becomes available to me.
3 u/weezkitty 31 Jan 2017 23:32
...then you'll be stuck in a shitty environment. How is that a good solution?
2 u/J_Darnley 31 Jan 2017 23:36
A first job is a stepping stone to more jobs. Gotta get that experience somewhere. Plus a job is better than no job.
1 u/captbrogers 01 Feb 2017 03:51
A big influence on getting a programming job (or tech in general) is knowing someone and getting a job with their employer. Referrals can mean a lot.
I've gotten a job by showing up dressed well and answering, "No, sir." when asked if I'm lazy. That's all it took because I knew someone.
0 u/ElectroGypsy 31 Jan 2017 23:19
"Get any work done today? No? Well don't worry, you'll find your inspiration!"
Talk about privilege!