Engineering Unblocked The science of developer experience with Kristen Foster-Marks from Depot
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Jan 3, 2025 Kristen Foster-Marks, Head of Developer Experience at Depot, shares her wealth of knowledge from her previous work at Pluralsight. She dives into the hot topic of 'ghost engineers,' stressing the importance of ethical research in the tech world. Kristen discusses how improving developer experience can impact productivity and retention, especially during tough economic times. The conversation also highlights the need for empirical studies and the challenges of replicating qualitative research, as well as the importance of research literacy for practical application.
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Kristen's Role at Depot
- Kristen Foster-Marks joined Depot two months ago as Head of Developer Experience.
- Depot is a build acceleration platform, originally created to address slow Docker builds.
DevX Science Definition
- Developer experience (DevX) research uses empirical methods to understand and improve software development experiences.
- DevX encompasses both job-related and open-source development.
Research vs. Marketing
- The intent behind research is crucial for distinguishing between genuine research and marketing efforts disguised as research.
- Ethical considerations and review boards are essential, particularly when human subjects are involved.