Exploring strategies for managing interruptions effectively, different methods like ad hoc interruptions and dedicated sprints, importance of enhancing QA processes and fostering open communication with teams and clients for feedback.
Interruptions should be viewed as opportunities for improvement, reducing costs and stress levels.
Effective interruption management methods include addressing urgent issues immediately and rotating team members for specific tasks.
Deep dives
Types of Interruptions and Opportunities
Interruptions are a common occurrence for all teams, and the key lies in how they are managed. The podcast emphasizes that interruptions should be seen as opportunities for product or service improvement rather than mere annoyances. By viewing interruptions in this light, teams can lessen their disruptive impacts and even reduce associated costs and stress levels. The episode provides examples of various interruptions like critical bugs, urgent requests from customers, technical support questions, and founder requests.
Disruption Management Strategies
The podcast discusses different methods for managing interruptions effectively. It critiques the 'suitcase metaphor' approach, highlighting its inefficiency in handling interruptions due to human behavior complexities. Instead, the preferred method is the 'dedicated sprint method,' where urgent interruptions are addressed immediately, while less critical ones are deferred for later sprints designated for technical debt. Additionally, the 'Team John model' involves rotating team members to specifically handle interruptions, ensuring minimal disruption to the core team's workflow.
Recommendations for Effective Interruption Handling
The episode concludes with practical tips to improve interruption management within teams. Suggestions include enhancing the QA process, involving testing alongside development, scheduling regular maintenance to prevent interruptions, maintaining open communication with teams and customers for early issue detection, and documenting verbal and contractual commitments. Other advice involves addressing seagulling behavior, sharing knowledge across teams, and using interruptions as learning opportunities for continuous improvement.
Plenty has been written about how to prioritise roadmap items, but what about those disruptions or interruptions — the urgent requests from customers, the unscheduled maintenance, the technical questions from customer support, or the accumulating stream of bugs?