What do you do if you want to free up time for higher-level tasks as an application developer?
As an application developer, you're often swamped with tasks that can bog down your schedule, leaving little room for the strategic, high-level work that can truly make a difference. The key to freeing up your time lies in effective delegation, automation, and prioritization. By mastering these skills, you can shift your focus to areas where your expertise is most needed, ensuring that your development projects are not only completed efficiently but also with a greater level of innovation and strategic insight.
Automation is your best friend when it comes to saving time. Start by identifying repetitive tasks that can be automated, such as testing, building, or deploying your code. Tools like continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines can automatically test and deploy your applications, eliminating the need for manual intervention. By setting up scripts to handle routine database backups or server maintenance, you'll free up significant chunks of time. Remember, every minute you save through automation is one you can spend on higher-level tasks.
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Roger Kibbe
Conversational and Generative AI Technology and Strategy Leader. Head of Conversational AI Developer Relations
Automation is indeed your friend. My rule is typically when faced with a routine task: - First time: just do it - Second time: do it but think about how you would automate - Third: Automate it There are plenty of automation tools and libraries available. Grunt work is boring, automate it and open up your time to doing the interesting stuff!
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Mohsin Naeem
CEO Techtiz -Disruptive mobile apps
Delegate AND Automate. Here's how: - Identify Repetitive Tasks: Scrutinize your workflow. Are there repetitive coding tasks, testing procedures, or even documentation creation that could be automated using scripts or CI/CD pipelines? - Empower Your Team: Don't be afraid to delegate! Are junior devs itching to learn? Assign well-defined tasks with clear expectations. This not only frees up your time but also fosters team growth. - Leverage Third-Party Tools: Explore code generators, testing frameworks, or even knowledge base tools for internal documentation. These can significantly reduce manual effort. It's all about maximizing your team's potential and freeing yourself for strategic thinking.
Delegation is crucial for time management. It's important to recognize tasks that others can handle, perhaps even more efficiently than you. This could include delegating bug fixes to junior developers or outsourcing certain aspects of your project to other teams or services. When delegating, make sure to provide clear instructions and expectations to avoid confusion and ensure that the task is completed correctly. Effective delegation not only frees up your time but also helps in building a stronger, more capable team.
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Roger Kibbe
Conversational and Generative AI Technology and Strategy Leader. Head of Conversational AI Developer Relations
Consider delegating to AI. AI code generation and helpers are getting better and better. I find AI code generators are great for: - Creating the general framework for something e.g. write a bunch of the needed but uninteresting boilerplate work - Quick prototyping - get it working with AI and then optimize it - Adding tweaks/refactoring, which is usually grunt work, and AI is good at this. Use tools like Copilot or Codeium directly in your IDE to get much better auto-completion, suggestions, and automated writing of routine functions and code snippets.
Prioritizing your workload is essential. Not every task has the same level of importance or urgency. Use a method like the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance. Focus on high-impact, high-urgency tasks first, and consider if low-impact tasks are worth your time at all. Sometimes, saying no or postponing less critical work can be the best way to ensure you have time for the tasks that truly matter.
Time blocking is a powerful technique to manage your day effectively. Allocate specific blocks of time to work on different tasks or projects. For example, you might reserve mornings for coding and afternoons for meetings or code reviews. Sticking to a structured schedule can help you focus and make progress on high-level tasks without getting sidetracked by minor issues or distractions. This method also allows you to set aside time for learning new skills or researching emerging technologies.
Streamlining communication can significantly reduce time wasted on unnecessary meetings or lengthy email threads. Utilize collaboration tools that allow for quick messaging and document sharing. Establish clear communication protocols within your team, such as when to send an email versus when to call a meeting. By making communication more efficient, you'll spend less time on back-and-forths and more time on development work that requires deep concentration.
Regularly refactoring your code can save time in the long run. Refactoring is the process of restructuring existing computer code without changing its external behavior. It improves nonfunctional attributes of the software. By keeping your codebase clean and well-organized, you'll make it easier to add new features or fix bugs in the future. This practice not only improves the quality of your application but also reduces the time spent deciphering complex or messy code.
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Daniel Kereama
Senior Software Developer | Solutions Architect | Test Automation Specialist | QE Lead
I like to work in chunks. This is where you work on a chunk to the point you can walk away from it and can pick it back up easily. Between chunks get a clear head then you are ready to go again. Working like this you will sometimes have chunks of time you can work on something else
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Mohsin Naeem
CEO Techtiz -Disruptive mobile apps
Don't get bogged down in constant back-and-forth emails or meetings. Utilize tools like project management platforms with clear ticketing systems and discussion threads. This lets you address issues efficiently on your own time, freeing up space for strategic planning, code reviews, and tackling those complex problems that move the needle. Bonus: it empowers your teammates to take ownership and fosters a culture of clear documentation.
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