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What makes a good team in software development?
More specifically, what are some good qualities that you have noticed from team members that get a good team going? Humor, flow, just anything in general that you have noticed help bring a team together to be more enjoyable & productive, specifically in computer science.
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9 answers
Michael Cox
Not an expert, but I offer real world experience that I want my daughter to learn
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Michael’s Answer
Good teammates tend to be those you can count on. They show up on time, are reliable as far as coming to work and getting their part done correctly and on time. Basically someone who doesn’t make someone else’s job harder. Passed that, be friendly and be part of the conversation. Be open and allow others to get to know you and learn about your coworkers.
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Dan’s Answer
Hi Myles, this is a great question. And it's glad to see you asked about "good qualities" like "Humor, flow" rather than technical skills. I believe you already thought about this by yourself, maybe already have some answers. But surely you are knocking the door. And I agree with you that soft skills are essential to make a good team compared to technical skills. And this applies to almost all kind of team not just software development. In fact, what people talk about lot in a sports team can be perfectly fit here for a software development. It's about trust, dependency, communication, collaboration, inclusiveness and dynamic. Each and every team member can be themselves in the team but at the same time knows each other, trusts each other, relies on each other. Each and every team member can talk freely to each other and express themselves without fearing of being judged, punished or retaliated. They take glories together and they take blames together. That makes a good team.
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Dominic’s Answer
The number one thing needed for any team is effective communication. Everyone should feel free to share ideas and raise issues in a timely manner. At the same time, they should not be bogged down by meetings and emails/IMs that are not necessary
Secondly, everyone on the team should know what their duties and responsibilities are in order to meet the expectations and objectives effectively. The team members should have the freedom and independence to try new ideas. They should have a sense of ownership and accountability to themselves and to each other
Finally, the agile scrum methodology is a great way of creating a fantastic yet scalable and sustainable culture specifically for software development teams. The scrum values and principles allow for teams to work together in a productive way for simple and complex projects alike
Secondly, everyone on the team should know what their duties and responsibilities are in order to meet the expectations and objectives effectively. The team members should have the freedom and independence to try new ideas. They should have a sense of ownership and accountability to themselves and to each other
Finally, the agile scrum methodology is a great way of creating a fantastic yet scalable and sustainable culture specifically for software development teams. The scrum values and principles allow for teams to work together in a productive way for simple and complex projects alike
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Steve’s Answer
First, each sub-codes are proper and no errors or bugs,
Second, input/output are correct and aligned among each function
Third, each teammate can take over other's project or function
Second, input/output are correct and aligned among each function
Third, each teammate can take over other's project or function
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Robert’s Answer
There have been some great answers already to this question. I'll add that building a team culture where you care, grow, and win together is key. Building psychological safety on the team is important to ensure all members feel comfortable speaking up and sharing their thoughts to make outcomes even better. Diverse voices and approaches can help ensure we build products that are consumable by all.
Focusing on building trusted relationships and strong connections across all teams supporting the project is key. Finally ensure the team has a clear focus to build ample velocity in the same direction. Divide work items to ensure folks get to handle activities that give them energy and motivate them to come to work and interact with the team each day. Hope these tips help out, and have a great day.
Focusing on building trusted relationships and strong connections across all teams supporting the project is key. Finally ensure the team has a clear focus to build ample velocity in the same direction. Divide work items to ensure folks get to handle activities that give them energy and motivate them to come to work and interact with the team each day. Hope these tips help out, and have a great day.
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Diana’s Answer
Hi Myles, this is a great question! I'd say from my experience an exceptional team is one in which communication is a core strength of each of the team members. I like to reference the fact that people cannot read each other's mind, and in an area in software development, where there can be so much happening at once, it's important to align and be on the same page with one another so that everyone is driving toward a shared goal. Another key element to a good team is the willingness of each team member to both be a teacher, and be open to being taught. We all have something we can teach one another and teams that recognize that can grow together too.
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Michel’s Answer
A team that has strong opinions but are willing to compromise, this ensures problems are fully explored but you are able to move the work forward. Also as you mentioned humor and having fun, like celebrating wins, and building a shared team culture. Good communication, and equal participation are really core, this ensures the quality of the work being done, makes sure knowledge is being shared on the team, and avoids duplication of efforts. Finally accountability allows you to be able to depend on your co-workers, and also enables your team to grow with an eye at continuously improving team process.
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Renée’s Answer
In my experience, a team that has a low ego and is open with engaging with everyone's ideas and opinions on how to do work. By low ego I mean people who take pride in their work, but aren't attached to their specific way to solve a problem. One way I judge this is to look at or ask about code reviews: how do people give and receive feedback on their code commits? If you are working with a development team, there is a large amount of a software engineer's time is spent in code review. Something specific I look for and try to emulate as a reviewer is to be clear about things that have to be changed and why vs suggestions / opinions / refactor that can come later. I've found teams that are open to contributions from people at all levels of development experience, and take the time to make that a good experience, are the best to work with.
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Kathy’s Answer
A few qualities of effective software teams are:
WORK AS ONE -- Effective software teams collaborate well with each other, they co-create together, and they move together towards a shared vision.
DIVERSE SET OF THOUGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES -- Encourage diverse perspectives on your team, and allow the team to be open to hearing others opinions.
LOSE THE EGO, and PLAY AS A TEAM -- Support your team mates and assume best intentions. As software teams move fast through the development cycle, it's essential to have open communication. Most importantly...have fun with each other, and don't be a jerk!
WORK AS ONE -- Effective software teams collaborate well with each other, they co-create together, and they move together towards a shared vision.
DIVERSE SET OF THOUGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES -- Encourage diverse perspectives on your team, and allow the team to be open to hearing others opinions.
LOSE THE EGO, and PLAY AS A TEAM -- Support your team mates and assume best intentions. As software teams move fast through the development cycle, it's essential to have open communication. Most importantly...have fun with each other, and don't be a jerk!