Time Management for Software Developers: Balancing Coding, Testing, and Project Management
The role of software developer is not a 9 to 5 position. The hours are constrained only by deadlines and the amount of work on your plate. And if you're like me, you might sometimes feel pulled in all sorts of directions. One moment you're coding and writing, the next moment you're testing or designing, and a minute later it's managing projects - or some mix that includes those three areas.
If this sounds like your weekdays, then read this post about time management for software developers! We'll cover how to prioritize everything on your plate - from coding to testing and project management - so that at the end of the day you can feel accomplished instead of exhausted.
Building a Foundation for Time Management
Let's get started with the basics. To begin, take a look at your typical day, then answer the following questions about it:
What is your daily routine? What time do you wake up? When do you start your workday? How long does it typically take you to get this workday going - to focus and get into the "zone"? When and where do you eat lunch, and what do you typically eat? Do you have any other daily rituals or habits that block out time (e.g. exercising, meditating, or reading)?
It's easy to recognize that it's not just about the number of hours you have in the day. You also have to factor in how well you are using each hour.
For example, if your morning is rushed and you skip breakfast, then your energy levels will be low. This could mean you're not as productive. Or maybe you get distracted easily because your mind desperately wants a few extra minutes of rest before jumping into work. Either way, it's important to look at these factors - because they all impact your ability to get work done efficiently.
Here are more related factors to consider:
How close is your office or workspace to your home / apartment / dorm? What's the drive like each day (traffic, weather, etc.)? Are you using public transportation? When is the daily commute (both in the morning and evening) and how long does it take to get from point A to point B? Are you driving alone or with others in the car? What's the quality of these commutes - are they peaceful or restless (i.e. can you focus on work)? Are there any shared resources where you work, such as a printer, scanner, or kitchenette? How much does your living environment impact your productivity - e.g. is it conducive to good sleep, quiet, or distractions?
This may be a bit of a stretch, but thinking about these factors could help you have more productive days - and less stressful ones.
Finding a Balance: Prioritizing Your Time
We've already covered the idea that it's not just about the number of hours in a day. But there are a couple other things to consider too:
How much time do you have? I'm sure you're familiar with the concept of "allocation" - but do you really know how much time is actually available for your daily tasks? This is especially important when working on multiple projects simultaneously, or when you want to max out your rate of progress.
I'm sure you're familiar with the concept of "allocation" - but do you really know how much time is actually available for your daily tasks? This is especially important when working on multiple projects simultaneously, or when you want to max out your rate of progress. How much time do you need? This is a bit harder to answer, because it depends on what you're specifically trying to achieve. For example, if you have a project deadline - then that's part of your requirements. But what if the deadline is flexible? Then it's good to take an objective look at everything on your plate and see how much time (and effort) each task requires. Don't just consider your own time, though. This will also help you figure out how much time is required from others, especially if someone else is involved.
This is a bit harder to answer, because it depends on what you're specifically trying to achieve. For example, if you have a project deadline - then that's part of your requirements. But what if the deadline is flexible? Then it's good to take an objective look at everything on your plate and see how much time (and effort) each task requires. Don't just consider your own time, though. This will also help you figure out how much time is required from others, especially if someone else is involved. What's the best use of your time? Are there multiple projects that could benefit from the same amount of effort (e.g. two different bugs you could fix) or overlapping activities (writing code related to one project, while testing a second)?
While answering these questions may seem difficult, it's actually pretty simple to get started with time management. There are a few tips I suggest you keep in mind:
Keep track of what your time is actually used for - what tasks you're working on at any given point in time. Make sure that each task/project has its own folder and a unique name. Also, document every step taken towards that goal - e.g. what are you doing right now? Write down what you've learned along the way, and make a note of any time-consuming parts. You can even use a project management tool that logs your time to help you keep track.
- what tasks you're working on at any given point in time. Make sure that each task/project has its own folder and a unique name. Also, document every step taken towards that goal - e.g. what are you doing right now? Write down what you've learned along the way, and make a note of any time-consuming parts. You can even use a project management tool that logs your time to help you keep track. Prioritize your tasks - it's a good idea to create a list of the things you want to accomplish each day. For each project, write down the minimum amount of effort required to complete that task. Then, as you complete one item, move another one up the list (this is the most important thing to do first) and continue this process until all items are done.
- it's a good idea to create a list of the things you want to accomplish each day. For each project, write down the minimum amount of effort required to complete that task.
Conclusion
If you're working full-time, and want to get ahead with your career, then you need to be focused on your goals. This means that you can't let yourself get stuck in a "I'm too busy" mindset - because it won't help you progress.
The reality is that it's possible to be productive when working full-time, and have the schedule fit your needs. However, this will require a different approach than if you were working part-time or only on an as-needed basis.
This article has covered several ways to increase your productivity - all of which can fit when you work full-time.