Heyo! 👋

So, when it comes to being a senior developer, finding that sweet spot between tech stuff and business goals is like juggling, but with code and business plans. You cant complete a task without writing some code, but you cant write the code until you know what the business wants. Each are just as important as each other! When you start to get good and knowing what the business wants, you get more time to do all the fun stuff we became developers for, like designing and coding! Here are a few things I've picked up on this crazy ride about how to make sure you are on the right track and expectations are managed, that way you can focus on crushing code.

Get the Business Vibes

It's not just about the code; it's about understanding what the business is all about. Get cozy with stakeholders and figure out what makes the company tick. What are the big dreams? How can your solutions help make those dreams a reality?

Sort Out Your To-Do List

Not all code tasks are created equal. Figure out which ones will give the most bang for the buck. It's like being a venture capitalist, finding the tasks that will really move the business forward are the ones you want to invest more time in and prioritise.

Talk Like a Human

Non-tech folks sometimes look at our code like it's written in an alien language. Clear communication is key. Break down the geek speak, keep everyone in the loop, and watch the magic happen. I've found it very useful to explain things to people from other professions. My mother or my wife make great sounding boards; I know when they are losing interest or not following along with my technobabble, It's time to adjust my communication!

Spot Trouble Before It Hits

Ever played chess? It's a bit like that. Think a few moves ahead. Identify potential hiccups and let everyone know before they turn into full-blown headaches. Offer solutions, not just problems. Risk registers are great for tracking things like this, right off the bat, they can feel a little tedious, but when its time for a big go-live, they really help get the pre-mortem rolling.

Baby Steps, Not Giant Leaps

Big tasks can be overwhelming. Break them into bite-sized pieces. It's like eating a pizza slice by slice instead of trying to down the whole thing at once. Smaller tasks mean quicker wins and more flexibility for changes. The trick here is that each task comes with its own set of over head from things like kick off's and updating tickets, so too small can be just as disruptive. A good rule of thumb is you should be able to complete the task, and test/review/merge it with in a few days.

Guess How Long It Takes (And Be Ready to Be Wrong)

Time estimates are like predicting the weather — sometimes you're spot on, sometimes you're way off. Be honest about how long things will take, but be ready to adapt. Flexibility is the name of the game. It's very helpful to reflect on tickets when the blow out of proportion, there's lessons to be learnt from why things happened the way they did, and its really useful to keep those fresh in your mind for next time your doing estimations!

Squad Goals

Work closely with your buddies from other departments. It's like being in a band where everyone plays a different instrument. Together, you create a symphony. Collaborate, listen to each other, and make beautiful tech music. Design and Product team colleagues are fantastic sounding boards that offer unique views. Never underestimate how useful they can bee when you feel like you are bashing your head against the wall with what you perceive as a "technical problem", you'll be surprised by how well they understand sometimes, and I've they are fantastic at telling you when you are over engineering something.

Stay Curious, Stay Humble

Tech is always changing. Stay curious, keep learning, and share the knowledge. We're all on this learning roller-coaster together.

By incorporating these strategies, I've found as a senior developer, I can strike a balance between technical excellence, business objectives, and efficient time management. Being a developer is not just about coding prowess; it's about being a tech-savvy, business-savvy, all-around good human. Here's to finding that balance and making awesome stuff happen! 🚀