Om Varma

When will it get done ? A common question asked to every devteam/developer.

In this article, we’ll be discovering how to shift from a top-down mentality to an inclusive approach while asking questions in Agile Project progress.

The completion of a product developementg depends on the complexity of the project and the resources available. A developer may be able to estimate a timeline based on their own experience and research but it is important to remember that any timeline should be seen as an estimate not a guarantee. There are many potential factors which could affect how long it takes including unanticipated issues, changes in requirements or unexpected delays. In some cases, a project can take longer than expected due to external factors beyond the developer’s control such as procurement processes or slow delivery times for components. It is also worth noting that developing software projects is not always linear – there can be periods of intense activity followed by phases where little progress appears to have been made due to debugging and quality assurance processes. As such, it is important to remain flexible and be prepared to adjust your timeline as needed. Ultimately, no one can guarantee a fixed timeline for software development – it is best viewed as an ongoing process with each step providing more information that can inform the next steps in the development journey. With clear communication between all involved parties, realistic expectations, and constant monitoring of progress against objectives, a successful project outcome is achievable.

Thats where Agile ways of product development plays a vital role in the development process. Agile helps in planning for the project and give more accurate timeline estimates to the developers based on their experience, research and current progress of the project. Agile also gives more clarity between all involved parties such as stakeholders so they can collaborate better, plan better, track better and monitor progress better.

Agile product development methodology allows developers to build features incrementally over a series of sprints which means that any delays or unexpected issues are easier to manage since there is less risk associated with them. By breaking down the software development into smaller chunks, developers can see what works quickly and make changes before too much time or money has been invested in a particular feature. This way, it is possible to get feedback at an early stage.

Estimating the time and resources required for an Agile project can be challenging, as Agile projects are typically characterized by their flexibility and adaptive nature. However, here are a few tips for estimating Agile projects:

1. Start with user stories: User stories are short, simple descriptions of a feature or functionality that a user needs. They are a great starting point for estimating Agile projects as they provide a clear understanding of the requirements and scope of the project.
2. Use relative estimation techniques: Relative estimation techniques such as story points or t-shirt sizing can be used to compare the size and complexity of different user stories and prioritize them accordingly.
3. Establish a baseline: Establish a baseline by using historical data to determine the average velocity (the amount of work a team can complete in a sprint) of the team. This baseline can then be used to make informed estimates for future sprints.
4. Break down work into smaller chunks: Breaking down work into smaller, more manageable chunks, such as tasks or subtasks, makes it easier to estimate the time and resources required for each item.
5. Plan in sprints: Agile projects are typically executed in sprints, which are short time-boxes of 2-4 weeks. Use sprint planning to estimate the work that can be completed in each sprint and adjust the estimate as needed.
6. Involve the team: Involve the team in the estimation process and leverage their expertise and knowledge to arrive at accurate estimates. This can help to build a shared understanding of the project and improve the accuracy of the estimates.
7. Be prepared to adjust: Agile projects are characterized by their adaptability and flexibility, so be prepared to adjust your estimates as the project progresses and new information becomes available.

Remember, the goal of estimation in Agile projects is to provide a rough order of magnitude, rather than a precise prediction of the time and resources required. The key is to be flexible and adaptive and to regularly reassess and adjust the estimates as needed.

Thats Great. Our prjects has been running for quite a while now, say 12 sprints, should we create a minimal story goal for the developer like least story point that a developer should take up ? so management can see if they are being productive enough?

The goal of monitoring developer productivity in a Scrum team is to provide valuable insights into the team’s performance and to make data-driven decisions that will improve the team’s efficiency and effectiveness. The key is to regularly assess and adjust the team’s processes to ensure that the project is progressing smoothly and that the developers are able to deliver high-quality work. Considering the contribution that an individual makes to the Scrum Team varies and its should not be used to compare against teams but to retrospect and refine the overall teams developement efforts. The number of story points that a developer should take during a 2-week sprint can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size of the team, the complexity of the work, and the individual developer’s capacity and capabilities.

In general, a developer should aim to take on a workload that is challenging but manageable, and that allows them to deliver a high-quality output. The exact number of story points that constitutes a “challenging but manageable” workload will depend on the individual developer and the specifics of the project.

In some cases, a single developer may be able to handle 5-7 story points in a 2-week sprint, while in other cases, they may only be able to handle 2-3 story points. The important thing is to ensure that the workload is sustainable and that the developer has the capacity to deliver high-quality work.

It’s also important to keep in mind that Agile projects are characterized by their adaptability and flexibility, so the number of story points that a developer should take on during a 2-week sprint may change as the project progresses and new information becomes available. The team should regularly reassess and adjust the workload as needed to ensure that the project is progressing smoothly and that the developers are able to deliver high-quality work.

Lets have both perspectives ie: Management Side and Developer Side listed.

Effective Monitoring

Monitoring developer productivity in a Scrum team is an important aspect of ensuring that the project is progressing smoothly and that the team is delivering high-quality work. Here are a few tips for monitoring developer productivity in a Scrum team:

1. Use sprint retrospectives: Sprint retrospectives provide an opportunity for the team to reflect on the previous sprint and identify areas for improvement. The team can discuss the workload and capacity of individual developers during the sprint retrospective and make adjustments as needed.
2. Track team velocity: Team velocity is a measure of the amount of work the team is able to complete in a sprint. Monitoring the team’s velocity over time can provide valuable insights into the team’s productivity and help identify areas for improvement.
3. Monitor work completion: Monitoring the completion of work items, such as user stories and tasks, can provide a clear picture of the team’s progress and help to identify areas where individual developers may be struggling.
4. Use burn-down charts: Burn-down charts provide a visual representation of the amount of work remaining in a sprint. Monitoring the burn-down chart can help to identify areas where the team is struggling to complete work and make adjustments as needed.
5. Encourage regular communication: Encouraging regular communication between team members and between the team and the product owner can help to identify areas where individual developers may be struggling and ensure that any issues are addressed in a timely manner.
6. Use agile metrics: Agile metrics, such as lead time and cycle time, can provide valuable insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of the team’s processes and help to identify areas for improvement.

Personal Productivity

Being productive and continuously improving as a developer in an Agile team is a continuous process that requires focus, dedication, and a willingness to continuously learn and adapt. By regularly assessing your performance and seeking feedback from your team, you can ensure that you are making progress and continuously improving your skills and abilities.

1. Prioritize your workload: Work with your team to prioritize your tasks and ensure that you are focusing on the most important tasks first. This will help you to stay focused and ensure that you are delivering high-quality work.
2. Set clear goals: Set clear and achievable goals for yourself, both short-term and long-term, and regularly track your progress towards these goals. This will help you to stay focused and motivated and ensure that you are continuously improving.
3. Regularly reflect on your performance: Regularly reflect on your performance and identify areas where you can improve. This could be in terms of your technical skills, time management, or other areas. Be honest with yourself and seek feedback from your team to help identify areas for improvement.
4. Continuously learn: Stay up-to-date with the latest developments in your field and continuously learn new skills and technologies. This will help you to maintain your edge and remain competitive in an ever-changing industry.
5. Collaborate with your team: Work closely with your team and actively participate in team meetings and discussions. This will help you to build strong relationships with your team members and ensure that you are working effectively as a team.
6. Practice agile practices: Adhere to Agile practices such as Scrum, Kanban, or others, and actively participate in Agile ceremonies such as daily stand-up meetings, sprint retrospectives, and demos. This will help you to work more effectively and efficiently as part of an Agile team.

When Management and Development Teams are harmonized in the approaches of collaborative development and progress can be understood via the following questions

1. What is the status of the work? What tasks have been completed and what tasks are still in progress?
2. What challenges have you encountered during the sprint? How have you addressed these challenges?
3. How confident are you in completing the work items within the sprint? What risks or dependencies have you identified that could impact the team’s ability to deliver?
4. How have you been communicating with stakeholders and ensuring that they are informed of the team’s progress?
5. How has the team been working together and collaborating to deliver high-quality work?

These types of questions provide the management with a more holistic view of the team’s progress and the challenges that they are facing. They also encourage open and honest communication between the team and management and help to build a culture of trust and collaboration. By focusing on the progress of the work and the challenges that the team is facing, management can provide support and guidance to the team and ensure that the project is progressing smoothly.