This chapter focuses on effective time management for developers, emphasizing avoiding unnecessary meetings, managing focus, and maximizing productivity.
Meetings: Necessary but Wasteful
- Meetings are expensive (~€200/hour per attendee).
- Professionals should avoid meetings without immediate value.
- Declining: You don’t have to attend every meeting; managing your time is your responsibility.
- Leaving: If a meeting becomes unproductive, leave.
- Agenda & Goal: Every meeting should have a clear purpose.
- Stand-ups: Quick check-ins (max 20s per person) on:
- What I did yesterday
- What I will do today
- What’s blocking me
- Iteration Planning Meetings: Should be short and prepared (~2 hrs max for a 1-week sprint).
- Retrospectives & Demos: Keep them brief (20 min for retros, 25 min for demos).
Handling Arguments & Technical Disagreements
- If a debate lasts over 5 minutes, stop arguing—gather data instead.
- Use facts, not opinions, to settle disagreements.
Focus & Productivity
- Focus is like ‘manna’—a limited resource that depletes with effort.
- Recharging: Take breaks, go for a walk, or have conversations to restore creativity.
- Muscle Focus: Physical activities can improve mental clarity.
- Creative Input = Better Output: Fuel creativity with new ideas and experiences.
- Pomodoro Technique: Short bursts of focused work increase efficiency.
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
- Priority Inversion: Avoid procrastinating with less important tasks.
- Blind Alleys: Recognize when you’ve made a wrong technical choice and have the courage to back out (“Rule of Holes: If you’re in one, stop digging”).
Time is a developer’s most valuable resource. Avoid unnecessary distractions, focus on deep work, recharge efficiently, and don’t waste time on endless debates.