Kristen Foster-Marks, Head of Developer Experience at Depot, explores the complexities of measuring Developer Experience (DevEx). She delves into the controversial idea of 'ghost engineering,' questioning how many engineers truly engage in their work. Kristen emphasizes the need for critical thinking to evaluate developer productivity and discusses the significance of both qualitative and quantitative metrics for DevEx. With a light-hearted touch, she shares insights on how effective communication and collaboration can significantly enhance the developer environment.
Measuring developer experience involves balancing objective metrics like build times with subjective factors such as developer satisfaction and feedback.
The discussion around 'ghost engineering' highlights the need for critical analysis of workforce contributions to maintain credibility in efficiency assessments.
Deep dives
The Role of People in DevOps
DevOps relies heavily on people, processes, and technology, with a strong emphasis on the human element. Recognition of challenges faced by individuals in the workforce is essential, especially in fostering a supportive environment. The podcast highlights a charity initiative supporting the Trevor Project, reflecting the importance of community support and inclusivity in tech. By promoting acts of kindness and understanding, organizations can cultivate a positive culture within DevOps teams, leading to better productivity and morale.
Understanding Ghost Engineering
Ghost engineering refers to the discussion around software engineers who appear to contribute little to the team, with claims suggesting that a significant percentage may be inactive in their roles. The concept originated from a recent controversial post that claimed research found 9.5% of engineers do virtually nothing, termed as 'ghost engineers.' However, the validity of such claims was questioned due to a lack of peer-reviewed research, showcasing the need for scientific literacy in evaluating such assertions. Critical analysis and skepticism regarding sources are essential for maintaining credibility in discussions about workforce efficiency.
Defining Developer Experience (DevEx)
Developer Experience (DevEx) encompasses how developers interact with tools and processes in their work and can be categorized into three dimensions: academic, user experience analog, and a product aspect. Academic researchers analyze the phenomenon to understand challenges in software development, while others equate it to user experience in product development. Companies are increasingly focusing on improving developer experience as a product, developing tools and metrics to measure and enhance it. This multidimensional understanding is crucial for organizations to foster better working conditions and productivity.
The Challenge of Measuring DevEx
Measuring developer experience presents a complex challenge due to the diverse factors influencing it, ranging from objective metrics like build times to subjective aspects like developer happiness. While quantifiable metrics can be tracked, aspects such as satisfaction and perception often rely on surveys and user feedback, lacking rigorous scientific foundations. There is ongoing discourse in the tech community regarding frameworks that help measure these constructs effectively, but much remains to be developed. A structured approach, through discussions and test amendments, can guide improvements in developer experience over time.
Developer experience is a hard metric to measure qualitatively. On today’s show, we talk with Kristen Foster-Marks about Developer Experience, or DevEx. We start with the controversial concept of “ghost engineering,” which claims many software engineers do not contribute meaningfully to their work. We delve into the validity of this claim, and discuss the scientific... Read more »
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