Future-Proofing Your Code: A Guide to Developer Continuity
Legacy software systems come with unique challenges that newer, greenfield projects have yet to encounter. While they are essential for the day-to-day operations of businesses, maintaining and managing these systems becomes increasingly complex with time. A key driver of this complexity lives in the developer knowledge that leaves when staff depart. Imagine a bug surfaces that has been on the backburner for years. “Ken knew why that bug was happening – too bad he left last quarter.” Now, every hour researching the issue and rediscovering what Ken knew bleeds value.
Losing key developers eventually happens. People move or decide to switch careers. So, it’s important to prepare for this eventuality. Rather than hope the developer tries to keep their code “clean” or “simple” so others can understand it later, employ best practices like creating documentation and facilitating opportunities to spread project-specific knowledge, and provide project visibility. Let’s explore some of the proven techniques we use at Code Pros to mitigate this risk.
Paired Programming
When a developer struggles on a specific project, one strategy is to pair them with another developer that has more experience in that area. Rather than leave them to unravel the more challenging or obscure parts of the codebase, our veteran guides them through the nuances so they can focus on the task, build new skillsets and be more efficient.
Paired Programming can dramatically reduce the number of hours spent on a particular part of a project, while helping a fellow developer gain key insights that they can leverage in future work.
Knowledge Transfer
Even seasoned developers face confusing system quirks. They have built countless “add-to-cart” flows. But why is the system blocking customers from adding hats to the cart if they are shipped to Wisconsin?
Documenting the whole process can be time consuming and add little value, but focusing on the most unclear parts ensures that new developers aren’t left guessing and have something to reference when getting started on a project.
Clarifying Complexity Visually
Sometimes words just don’t cut it. A system can get complicated enough that a visual representation is better. There are lots of tools available to make simple diagrams to illustrate extremely complex architecture.
UI mockups can also help align the team. When you say, “add a button here,” you may think you’re both imagining the same thing but leaves room for mismatched visions. Visuals close the gap and facilitate clear direction. In one example, a 4-hour mockup session saved 60 developer hours by confirming designs pre-build.
Peer Reviews
Regardless of the experience level of the developers on our team, we employ a strategy of peer review. This isn’t merely about error detection or catching mistakes, it’s a cost-effective strategy to ensure that multiple developers are up to speed on the same project. Encouraging knowledge redundancy is the name of the game here, as a good best practice, it’s a win-win scenario. Through the peer review process, we not only catch potential code issues early on but also foster a shared understanding among the team, promoting collaborative ownership of the project.
Asking Questions is Encouraged
It’s easy for developers to get bogged down in coding techniques or hot new tools to improve efficiency. However, programming is, more often a social challenge rather than a purely technical one. Creating an environment where people are afraid to ask questions or feel embarrassed about not knowing something can be detrimental to a developer’s success.
The reality is, everyone can’t be an expert in everything. Working as a cohesive team, in a space where questions are not only welcomed but encouraged, is a crucial component to success. As a customer, your expectation should rightly be that our developers are dedicated to solving your problems, not avoiding interactions with one another.
Conclusion
In software development, and particularly the domain of legacy systems, the vulnerability posed by specialized knowledge cannot be overstated. Recognizing the strategy isn’t about chaining developers to a project, but rather strategically addressing key areas of opportunity that ensure you have a bench of resources available when the need arises.
At Code Pros, using best practices like Pair Programming ensures that knowledge doesn’t reside in silos. Utilizing visual aids like UI Mockups provides clarity in design and flow, while Peer Reviews foster a shared responsibility, safeguarding against knowledge gaps. And above all, promoting a culture where questions are encouraged. These proactive steps underscore our commitment to being a strategic partner of choice for companies seeking ongoing software development support We always strive for clean code, but it’s just as important that the legacy of a developer’s expertise lives on, even in their absence. This is what positions us as the ideal ally for your sustained success.
