Productivity, teamwork, creativity and collaboration are terms that never cease to appear in the jargon of software developers. Even if nowadays a lot of software development is performed remotely, it is quite clear that being in a room with colleagues helps to nurture ideas and achieve better results. Keeping this in mind, one must then wonder what the traits of a healthy software development work space are.
While having plenty of screens and some killer CPUs may help, the idea goes beyond simple performance. Most software development projects are the result of working from within a team, so it is just logical to think that there may be a couple of factors that push the team in the right direction.
1. A motivating development work space is key
The design of layout in work spaces has been around for quite a while, and not only alongside software development. Luckily, the main principles are the same for any environment where many people are working on different tasks, albeit towards the same goal.
To nurture a healthy software development work space, you want the team to feel motivated to work. That is, to ensure that everyone’s work is taken into account while there is space for creativity and new ideas. You can do this by celebrating everyone’s successes.
We are all used to work spaces where everyone has to pay for a single person’s mistake; but if we instead implement the opposite, then the results may be exceedingly better, and in Mahisoft we are well aware of that. We want our teams to bond and to know that every bit of their work is valued and looked upon.
2. Teammates should have the opportunity to interact with each other
Programmers are tasked to do two things: To think and then code. When thinking, it is a must for there to be an open room for meetings, where everyone can join and participate as they like. On the other hand, when it is time to code, a programmer is usually aware of what it is that must be implemented, so it is always a mood lifter when there is room to joke around and relax beyond the monitor.
Having developers sit in a classroom configuration (e.g., sitting in rows, all facing the same direction) is a way of telling them: “I want you to focus on doing your job. Nothing else”. This is, of course, counterproductive, as there will be significantly less communication among teammates.
Teams grow big and small, sometimes even during the course of a project, so be aware that enough room is essential to keep a healthy software development work space.
Face-to-face interaction and enough room to walk helps a lot to vent stress while programming. Having developers facing each other is great, as it helps to cope with work by providing them with the opportunity to chat and share ideas and stories, while also providing support to one another.
3. Individual comfort should always exist
Now, even though working with teammates is great, it is a fact that developers enjoy silence, as it helps them get into “the zone”, where they get their maximum focus. It is key to find a balance between open spaces and seclusion, as too much noise can lead to discomfort and lower productivity. While it is not advisable to have a huge echo chamber with all your developers in it, it is also not great to divide them with outdated cubicles.
Many developers choose to use noise-isolating headphones so they don’t get distracted. This is also a solution to take into account, despite that it is not always advisable for teammates to stop interacting with others for far too long. Then again, every bit of advice shown here is subject to the particular needs of each soon-to-be healthy software development work space.
At Mahisoft it is very important to have a motivating work space for our people to perform at their best and enjoy the journey!
