Good Test Case design in QA: Quality at every step of the process

Good Test Case design in QA: Quality at every step of the process

Outsourced Engineering Team, Product Development, Scio, Software Development, Technologies

Curated by: Sergio A. Martínez

Creating software can be compared to solving a big, complex puzzle. A developer needs to take a bunch of pieces (code, algorithms, requirements, deadlines, etc.) and put them together in the right way to create a functioning product that satisfies everyone involved, from clients to final users. And just like with a puzzle, there is no single «right» way to develop software; it depends on the individual developer’s preferences and style, where some may start by laying out all of the pieces and looking for patterns, while others may start assembling pieces and then adjust as they go along. 

Test-Cases-1

And the biggest challenge is that if even one piece is out of place, it can throw the entire system off balance. This is why, besides having a good team of developers able to see the big picture and break it down into manageable tasks, a good QA Tester is so critical to obtaining the best possible outcome during development. Only then can you hope to create a successful piece of programming.

That’s why having a good approach to QA is so important; having experienced testers whose toolset matches the requirements of the product, capable of coming up with a plan for how they will test the code as they write it, as well as having a deep understanding of what “quality” means for the project, is a must in any team. 

So, in that sense, we want to take a look into one of the most important processes of QA: test cases. Because beyond running automated tests and manual testing, QA involves a systematic approach where developers can avoid costly mistakes and create products that meet customer expectations. And in practice, how can you design the perfect test case? What considerations should you have, and what’s the best approach to document and keep track of the sometimes messy process of QA?

Test cases are simple: Just think of everything

When it comes to software development, well-designed test cases are essential. By carefully planning out each test case, developers can ensure that their code will be thoroughly tested for errors, and taking the time to design comprehensive test cases can save a lot of time and effort in the long run. But how should you approach this task in practice? Is there a trick to designing a good Test Case?

“It depends on the project”, says Angie Lobato, a Quality Assurance Analyst at Scio with a wide range of expertise in everything QA. “The ISTQB already mentions that 100% thorough testing is not something that is possible, so it comes down to the priorities of the team, the requirements, the severity of the bugs, and the timelines set to deliver the product, as well as how much time the person in charge of QA has.”

This is why knowing how to design a test case is so important; considering all the challenges that software development already faces, being able to write an efficient, timely, and thorough test case is a valuable skill, keeping in mind things like… 

  • Thinking about the expected behavior of the system under test. What should it do in various scenarios?
  • Choosing input values that will exercise all relevant parts of the system.
  • Designing tests that will detect errors, but also verify that the system behaves as expected.
  • Keeping track of all tests performed, including pass/fail status and any observations made.

However, saying this is easier said than done; it can be difficult to create comprehensive test cases that cover all possible scenarios, and as software becomes more complex, replicating customer environments to test for all potential issues requires some intuition and minute attention to detail. That’s why the design of your test cases has to start with a script as the basis of the test, documented and shared to see exactly what you are trying to accomplish. For this process, Angie tells us that…

“I first need to validate that the Test Case (TC) related to the specific item I’m checking doesn’t exist yet, and do whatever is necessary, like adding, taking out or updating steps to not end up with a suite of repeated test cases”, she explains. “To design the script, it’s always good to create them in their respective suite, with a link to the requirement so everybody in the team can easily find them (I’ve personally used TFS, Azure DevOps, and Jira) depending on the tools utilized during the project. For the script itself, I define the objective of the Test Case, as well as the preconditions and postconditions it needs. Once that has been taken care of, I start to retrace the steps necessary to reach the item I need to test. I add each needed step to achieve the objectives of the test case with their expected result, and finally, I validate the final results where the change needed to be reflected.”

As you can see, there’s a lot of documentation involved in designing a test case, and having the proper formats to keep everything in order (like this one) helps to make sure that each test is accomplishing what it needs to. And according to Angie, a good test case needs a couple of characteristics to make it good:

  • A good test case has a clear objective stated and is updated to the latest version of the project. 
  • Has all the necessary testing data to execute it without creating repeated information. 
  • Has defined all the preconditions and postconditions of the product. 
  • And most importantly, don’t try to test more than one thing in a single case.
  • However, if you need to, changing the parameters of the test is necessary to make that clear. 
  • An ideal test case shouldn’t have more than 10 steps in total.

Ensuring quality at a distance

Test-Cases-3

As anyone who has ever been involved in software development knows, QA is a critical part of the process, and a good test case can help to ensure that the final product meets the requirements of the customer and is free of issues, especially in the current development landscape where remote collaboration is becoming a given. 

For a Nearshore development team like the ones at Scio, a well-crafted, carefully designed test case is invaluable, helping to ensure that the team and the client is on the same page concerning the expected results of the testing process, and providing a clear and concise way to communicate those expectations to everyone involved. 

In other words, a good test case can help to streamline the testing process and make it more efficient, so taking the time to create a good test case is well worth the effort for any remote software development team. 

“Any company that outsources software development knows that collaboration is key to success. A good QA team is essential to ensuring that the final product meets the standards”, says Adolfo Cruz, PMO Director, and Partner at Scio. “In a Nearshore setting, they are especially beneficial because they ensure that any problems are found and fixed quickly before they have a chance to cause major problems. As a result, well-designed test cases play a vital role in ensuring the success of a remote relationship.”

The Key Takeaways

  • Quality is necessary at every step of the process of developing software, not only a concern in the final product.
  • A good example is test cases, how important they are to the process of QA, and what good practices get involved in designing one.
  • A well-designed test case is straight to the point, meticulous, and tries to think of all the context around the product in order to ensure the best quality possible.
  • Also, the process of designing a good test case is doubly important when working on a project remotely, helping keep everyone on the same page and track all the changes and corrections necessary to bring the best possible outcome. 

Scio is a Nearshore software development company based in Mexico where we believe that everyone deserves everyone should have the opportunity to work in an environment where they feel like a part of something. A place to excel and unlock their full potential which is the best approach to creating a better world. We have been collaborating with US-based clients since 2003, solving challenging programming puzzles, and in the process showcasing the skills of Latin American Engineers. Want to be part of Scio? Get in contact today!

The Rubber Duck Method: What is the explanation behind this debugging approach?

The Rubber Duck Method: What is the explanation behind this debugging approach?

Project Management, Technologies

Curated by: Sergio A. Martínez

Debugging software is an important, if often tedious, the task for any programmer. Finding and removing errors generating crashes, freezes, or incorrect results is critical to ensuring the quality of a piece of software, and while some bugs can be fixed with a few simple tests, more difficult ones require special approaches and techniques. And thankfully, there are many resources available to help programmers debug their software; after all, with patience and perseverance, even the most difficult bugs can be squashed.

The Rubber Duck Method: What is the explanation behind this debugging approach?

One such technique is the popular Rubber Duck method, which may already be familiar to a seasoned developer. In short, the Rubber Duck method is a debugging approach in which developers explain their code line by line to an inanimate object, such as a rubber duck. This may sound silly, but it’s an incredibly effective way to find and fix mistakes. 

“Computers process information differently than humans do. Anyone who’s first learning to program understands this well. What’s hard about programming for a beginner isn’t really big hard esoteric concepts, but that you’ve got to be so painfully exacting in how you describe everything to a (dumb) computer. That’s why we do rubber duck debugging.”

However, have you ever been curious about why this approach works? What exactly happens in our brains when we verbalize a problem to someone else (even if that someone just happens to be a bath toy), that could lead to a solution that was obvious all along? And what is the best way to implement this method to finally find and solve that bug that has been bothering you all week?

The challenge of language

Computers are dumb. And we don’t mean that in a Luddite, anti-tech sort of way, we mean it in the original definition of “dumb”: incapable of human speech. And speech here is more than just talking; speech includes context, mood, choice of words, familiarity, and an infinity of other variables that a computer can’t understand (yet).

Of course, this doesn’t mean that we cannot communicate with computers, it just means that we use specialized languages to do so, and every single one of them works with the principle that computers are dumb: unless you tell a machine exactly what they need it to do, or how to react when something happens, they will not produce a desirable outcome. Thoughtful Code put it best:

“‘Is it cold outside?’ is a question that most humans, having some idea of the weather, will answer pretty easily. They’ll say something like, “No, it’s pretty nice.” Asked that question, a computer — or a really finicky and hyper-rational person — will need you to define each of those words.”  

A computer understands the most literal and absolute terms and learning to manipulate those terms is the basic principle of programming. This also means that computers don’t make mistakes, people do. So, if something within the instructions given to the machine doesn’t add up, then the program will not work as intended, and finding the exact place where the communication between a person and a computer got out of alignment can be a challenge. Here’s where the rubber duck comes in handy, thanks to the way we process language.

Here’s a fun fact: did you know that reading, writing, and speaking are located in completely different parts of our brain? Our understanding of the way we use and apply language is always evolving, but it is understood that we use different functions depending on the type of language we employ, which is why it’s so useful to verbalize a problem to find a solution: you involve a completely different part of your mind to help.

Of course, the Rubber Duck method is not useful only in software development, but since computers are very linguistically complex tools (being probably the only ones we need to “speak to” to use), verbalization is useful here, forcing developers to slow down and think about the minute details of their code, which can help to spot mistakes that they would otherwise overlook. As the blog “The Psychology Behind Rubber Duck Debugging” puts it:

“A lot of times, I’ve experienced some programmers that will ask my help about a specific bug they are fixing. I will then ask them how their application and their code works. I literally have no idea how to fix a program that is not mine and have no idea about the flow. However, I let them explain the flow of the process and the connection between functions and files. Oftentimes, they think of a solution before I even understand what is happening. Many people have been so thankful for me — for doing literally, nothing.”

Programmers understanding themselves

The Rubber Duck Method: What is the explanation behind this debugging approach?

You can see the same principle at work in the classroom. Teachers probing students with questions are intended to make sure a lesson has been learned, forcing the students to consider and explain it by themselves. The only difference is that a programmer using the Rubber Duck method is taking both roles (teacher and student) at once. 

In other words, this method allows developers to share their thoughts with a neutral party, questioning and probing themselves regarding their code, which can help identify areas of confusion or misunderstanding. And most importantly, it encourages developers to develop a clear and concise explanation of their code, which can be useful for future reference. 

“The real magic doesn’t happen on the rubber duck itself (sorry, Duck Norris). However, it happens in our minds. It uses the same psychological principle wherein we are encouraged to explain to ourselves why we did such actions and have a self-realization about what we’ve done. It is usually used by most psychologists to fully understand a person and, at the same time, for the person to understand himself/herself fully.”

And understanding yourself is fundamental to being a good programmer. Just like writing any other thing (a novel, or a sheet of music), everyone has their own style, approach, and technique when coding an application, which makes the ability to explain what you wrote so important; if you aren’t able to understand your process inside and out, then debugging will always be a challenge, especially when working as part of a team, where the code must always be in sync. In fact, the Rubber Duck method can be used as a form of collaboration, as another programmer can serve as your rubber duck and offer feedback or suggestions while you go through your code trying to find an answer.

“When working on a software development project, it’s important to have a good collaboration method in place, and the rubber duck method is one way to ensure that everyone on the team is on the same page”, says Jesús Magaña, Senior Project Manager at Scio. “It can help a developer to articulate his or her thought process, and as a result, team members can quickly identify any gaps in understanding and address them before they cause problems. Additionally, the rubber duck method can help to uncover errors in logic or coding syntax, and overall is an effective way to ensure that everyone on the team can contribute.”

In a Nearshore development environment, where collaboration has come a long way in recent years, the Rubber Duck method can also be useful to bring keep everyone on the same page by improving communication, helping maintain contributions clear, and easing the challenge of solving a tough bug even in remote settings (where a developer may not have anyone to immediately bounce ideas or solutions during debugging), which can help projects to come together more easily. After all, Nearshore software development has its challenges, but by using the proper approach (or bath toy), teams can overcome obstacles and build better software together.

The Key Takeaways

  • A bug in the code is basically a mistake in communication between a developer and a computer.
  • Following this, it’s no wonder that approaches to problem-solving like the Rubber Duck method can help to find the precise place where a code is not working.
  • Although you only need something to talk to (like a rubber duck), this process can involve many people in a team, offering advice and feedback.
  • However, in remote setups (like with a Nearshore development partner), having a way to find and fix bugs without the insight of anyone else can be a valuable resource.

Scio is a Nearshore software development company based in Mexico where we believe that everyone deserves everyone should have the opportunity to work in an environment where they feel like a part of something. A place to excel and unlock their full potential which is the best approach to create a better world. We have been collaborating with US-based clients since 2003, solving challenging programming puzzles, and in the process showcasing the skills of Latin American Engineers. Want to be part of Scio? Get in contact today!

“Soft Tech”: Bridging the gap between technology and mindfulness in the workplace

“Soft Tech”: Bridging the gap between technology and mindfulness in the workplace

Technologies

Curated by: Sergio A. Martínez

We all know how it feels to have a long, stressful day at work. After sitting in front of a computer for hours, staring at code on a screen, or attending back-to-back meetings in faraway places, the last thing you probably want to do is come home and use even more technology, even if it is to relax. 

“Soft Tech”: Bridging the gap between technology and mindfulness in the workplace

However, there are some great ways to take advantage of technology to unwind after a stressful day, from streaming music to meditation apps can help to calm your mind and ease anxiety, and this is thanks to the rise of the “self-care” movement and increasing awareness of the critical importance of mental health in the workplace, where the plague of burnout and social anxiety has made more difficult for many developers to keep a healthy relationship with themselves. 

However, when people think about self-care, they often think of things like taking a bubble bath or going for a massage, but this is far from the truth. Self-care is an important tool for software developers, who do an activity that can have a physical toll (is well known how sitting in front of a computer for long hours can lead to eye strain, back pain, and even carpal tunnel syndrome, for example), as well as a mental weight thanks to the continuous challenge of solving technological puzzles under constraints almost every day. 

And today, this is the raison d’être behind the rise of a new field of software development currently known as “soft tech”; the idea of creating applications, interfaces, and programs whose purpose is helping us take care of ourselves, especially during those short windows that sometimes appear during a stressful day (or week, or month).  The essay “Radical Softness” by Kat Brewster, from the boutique videogame magazine A Profound Waste of Time, explains it best:

“To be radically soft in the digital age is not simply to recognize caring for one’s self as potentially a radical act, but also to recognize the unique strengths, limits, and realities of soft things. The radicalization of organic, messy, squishy, real-world bodies through creative technologies”.

“Soft tech” has been gaining traction during the last decade, and that shot up in importance since the COVID pandemic began in 2020, helping people to get through the isolation and anxiety that those circumstances brought in. In short, what “soft tech” wants to accomplish is using technology to create self-care tools to relax and regain a lost balance, a few minutes at a time. And when it comes to software development of every kind, whose demand skyrocketed during the pandemic, creating unending deadlines to meet and problems to solve, these kinds of applications can be a great resource to take care of oneself.

The best “soft tech” applications you can get

It seems like everywhere you look these days, a new app or software tool is promising to help you take better care of yourself. And it’s no wonder that this is becoming such a popular topic, especially with so many people moving towards working remotely, which can be isolating depending on your set-up. When you’re not surrounded by colleagues and are just working all the time, it can be easy to let your health and well-being fall by the wayside, but with soft tech apps, you can stay on track and make sure you’re taking care of your mental health. 

Many of these apps even offer helpful tips and articles on everything, from reducing stress to eating better, and with so many people now working remotely, it’s easier than ever to find an app that fits your needs and lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for help with meditation, fitness, or diet, there’s sure to be an app that can help you out, so we compiled some recommendations from our team on the best ones you can get right now:

Soft-Tech-Bridging--mindfulness-in-the-workplace-headspace

Headspace

If you’re looking for a meditation app that will help you relax and de-stress, then you should check out Headspace. This app is extremely user-friendly, and it has a ton of great features; you can choose from a variety of different guided meditations, and some helpful animations that explain the concepts behind this practice. In addition, the app keeps track of your progress, so you can see how your meditation practice is improving over time. “I’ve been using Headspace for a while now, and I can feel a notable difference”, says Denisse Morelos, Marketing Executive at Scio. “With just ten minutes spent on it, my day can always get better.”

Soft-Tech-Bridging--mindfulness-in-the-workplace-mountain

Mountain

This is a simulation game with a pretty simple concept: the app procedurally generates a digital mountain, with its own geography and climate, and you watch it evolve through simulated time (hours, days, years). It sometimes generates some insights to share, but that’s pretty much it. It doesn’t have controls, or anything else; it’s about stopping and enjoying the passage of time, a pretty calm, and even meditative, experience.

Soft-Tech-Bridging--mindfulness-in-the-workplace-mountain

Viridi

Depending on the type of person you are, you might find gardening either very stressful or one of the most rewarding pastimes you can have. If you are one of the latter, Viridi was made for you. Similar to Mountain, this game lets you watch the growth of a digital object (in this case, a succulent plant), giving you the task of watering and taking proper care of it, accompanied by nice, soft visuals and a relaxing atmosphere with nothing pressing on you.  

Soft-Tech-Bridging--mindfulness-in-the-workplace-throw-cubes

Throw cubes into brick towers to collapse them

Yes, the title tells you everything you need to know: a “sandbox” game where you can generate block towers (choosing everything from the shape of the bricks to the configuration of the tower, to even the parameters of the physics), and you just topple it down throwing cubes, selecting their size and mass, or even dynamite, if you want something messier. It’s basically a digital Jenga tower that you can collapse over and over, so just put some of your favorite music as background and unwind after a stressful day. “Toppling down writer’s block is more literal than you might think”, says Sergio Martinez, Content Manager at Scio.

An application for every need

Nearshore and FinTech: Easier than you may think

“Technology doesn’t need to be this hard-edged dark thing. It can be something that embraces your body, where the interfaces are designed around you, where the colors are warm and gentle, and promote health and well-being. And that’s really different from the attitude a lot of people had in the 90s, which was ‘Jack me in the Matrix and get rid of my physical body”, indicates the aforementioned “Radical Softness” essay.

We know that, as a software developer, a lot of your time is spent sitting in front of a computer screen. And while you might be used to working long hours, it’s important to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself both mentally and physically. That’s why learning some basic self-care techniques can be so important; things like getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals, and exercising regularly can help improve your focus and concentration and reduce your stress levels, and something as simple as an application on your phone can make the difference in your day.

It’s no secret that the workplace can be stressful. But by taking a few to focus on your wellbeing, you can increase your productivity, improve your mood, and reduce your anxiety levels. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed at work, be sure to download a self-care app and give yourself the break you deserve.

The Key Takeaways

  • Self-care is not bubble baths and having your favorite tea; it’s a discipline where you take proper maintenance of your physical and mental health, keeping a proper balance in your life.
  • In software development, which saw demand skyrocket during the pandemic, taking proper care of yourself is becoming more important than ever to keep performing as well as you can.
  • This resulted in the rise of “soft tech”, applications meant to help you reach a state of relaxation through meditation guidelines, or simply engaging, low-stake activities designed to bring mindfulness a few minutes at a time.

Scio is a Nearshore software development company based in Mexico where we believe that everyone deserves everyone should have the opportunity to work in an environment where they feel like a part of something. A place to excel and unlock their full potential which is the best approach to create a better world. We have been collaborating with US-based clients since 2003, solving challenging programming puzzles, and in the process showcasing the skills of Latin American Engineers. Want to be part of Scio? Get in contact today!

Optimizing for licensing versus optimizing for performance: A complex IT puzzle

Optimizing for licensing versus optimizing for performance: A complex IT puzzle

Technologies

Curated by: Sergio A. Martínez

It’s not a secret that IT environments are getting more complex by the day, with every new product and application nowadays needing deployment across multiple clouds, data centers, and architectures, which makes optimization through multiple licenses and states an ever-increasing challenge. And that’s without mentioning that our current path to digitalization was sped up considerably after the COVID-19 pandemic pushed our need for software solutions further away.

Optimizing for licensing versus optimizing for performance: A complex IT puzzle

This complexity is such, that according to Flexera’s 2021 State of IT Visibility report, “less than 25% of IT leaders have complete visibility into their IT estates”, which is a mind-blowing fact once we digest it properly; it means that up to 75% of our current IT environments have unknown areas that pose a challenge to the development and implementation of many software solutions.

But why does this happen? 

The truth is, organizations today are under the pressure to drive more value from IT investments, and as a result, leaders are always looking for ways to optimize their IT estates, creating a very specific challenge in today’s software development, creating a situation where a company has to choose between optimizing for licensing and optimizing for performance. And this is key for the success of any project.

Performance Vs. Licensing

Keeping Your Compliance: The other meaning for “KYC”

“As leaders look for ways to optimize their IT estates, they are challenged with choosing between optimizing for licensing and optimizing for performance. Each one has implications for the other, and without a holistic approach, organizations must choose where to focus their efforts”, explains this article published by IBM. In short, an organization should look to integrate applications (that is, “optimizing for performance”); however, since most third-party software charges a licensing fee to use them at business level, carefully weighing options that fit within budget (or “optimizing for licensing”) could make or break a project.  

So while it is important to optimize your software options for performance, choosing the applications, platforms, or software that best suit your needs it’s also important, and a balance must be struck between the two, understanding the advantages and disadvantages they bring. On one hand, when optimizing for licensing, leaders need to consider the type of license that is best suited for their business needs, how many licenses they need, and how they can get the most from them. A license from a big corporation like Oracle, for example, can charge up to 22% of the total price in licensing, so having multiple ones without careful consideration can be quite a hit to the bank account.

On the other hand, when optimizing for performance, leaders need to focus on how they can improve the efficiency of their systems and make them more effective, making financial considerations less of a priority, although it’s rare when an organization can do this without immediate concerns. So to make the best decision, leaders need to carefully weigh options and choose the path that will help them meet their goals.

Controlling your IT states

Nearshore and FinTech: Easier than you may think

“Traditional Software Asset Management (SAM) and IT Asset Management (ITAM) help organizations to understand where licenses are deployed, how software is being used, what versions of software are deployed, and if license use is compliant. This approach yields substantial benefits, but does not provide mechanisms to optimize on a continuous basis”, continues the aforementioned IBM article about some solutions currently implemented.

The thing is, current IT environments are so complex, that manual intervention is often required to understand a system holistically, especially when critical data gets ‘siloed’ in specific IT states, making it unlikely to have a complete view of the organization. After all, it’s easy for a growing company to look for solutions in the short term, and end with critical data concentrated in an external platform, creating issues to distribute it properly if it doesn’t play well with the rest of the IT environment. For example, cloud technology that might be challenging to troubleshoot if errors or other issues occur.

“What many [companies] don’t realize is that a software usage metering tool is just the first step, not the end-all and be-all, of managing these expensive software assets. The wide array of features and functionalities of software usage metering tools are only valuable if you know how to properly use them to accomplish your software license optimization goals.”

So to facilitate the task of implementing better automation into a processes, organizations need to be very smart about the tools, platforms, and systems they adopt into their IT environments, giving weight to the pros and cons of licensing a more uniform product, what the company is trying to accomplish product and/or service-wise, and the best way to achieve a good outcome.

“Combining license asset data and application performance data with intelligent automation gives IT leaders the visibility needed to optimize their IT estates while ensuring they remain in compliance”, concludes the IBM blog.

A solution in smart collaboration

As more and more organizations are outsourcing their IT needs to remain competitive, looking to optimize their spending and remain compliant with the license contracts without losing visibility into the entire IT estate, an answer can be found in Nearshore collaboration. With a Nearshore partner, an organization can gain visibility into their IT estate while optimizing their technology investments, getting the best of both worlds: the ability to remain compliant and the flexibility to optimize your technology investments.

This kind of collaboration can help simplify this systemic complexity by providing a single point of contact for all of their IT challenges by developing applications and products suited for their own context. The reason is that Nearshore development enables better collaboration between teams thanks to a close geographical location, and as a result, it’s a great way to combat the complexity of today’s IT environments. 

By working with a Nearshore partner, you can get the benefit of their expertise in managing complex deployments by making it easier to coordinate and manage projects, a great solution for companies that are looking to simplify their IT environment. The reality is that, as traditional workforces evolve, organizations to start investing in digital transformation efforts to keep up, and while the balance between licensing and performance is still an important consideration, choosing to develop internal tools and applications to reach a digital workplace is becoming more feasible thanks to the Nearshore model, which can help organizations fill skills gaps and reduce costs, 

However, it’s important to choose a partner that understands your culture and values, so while collaboration tools can help remote teams stay connected and aligned, they need to be used effectively. In other words, the workplace (as well as the IT environments that come along with it) is changing, and organizations need to be ready for it. So if you’re looking for a way to stay competitive in today’s digital world, and considering your options between optimizing and licensing, maybe Nearshore outsourcing is the answer you are looking for.

The Key Takeaways

  • Choosing a software application to implement in your organization requires a careful balance between optimizing for performance and optimizing for licensing.
  • Many of the bigger cloud-based service platforms can offer all the solutions you need, but the licensing costs, plus the risk of siloing information in an external system, could pose some issues in the long run.
  • However, depending on your needs and the size of your organization, opting to develop custom solutions that hit a performance target without getting tangled in too many licensing issues is possible by collaborating with a Nearshore outsourcing company.

Scio is an established Nearshore software development company based in Mexico that specializes in providing high-quality, cost-effective technologies to help you reach new heights. We have been developing since 2003 and our experience gives us access not only to the knowledge but also the expertise needed when tackling any project. Get started today by contacting us about your project needs – we’ll be happy to help you achieve your business goals.

Maintaining Productivity: Is the Pomodoro Technique for you?

Maintaining Productivity: Is the Pomodoro Technique for you?

Project Management

Curated by: Sergio A. Martínez

One of the main challenges for software developers everywhere is maintaining a high level of productivity throughout the day. No matter the size of the project, or how interesting the final result may be, it will involve hours coding away, looking at a screen, trying to stave off distractions, and keeping engaged long enough to accomplish a good outcome at every stage of production. And that can be difficult.

Maintaining Productivity: Is the Pomodoro Technique for you?

We have talked before about ways to make the most out of your workday here at Scio because we understand the importance of this focus and engagement, and today we want to dive into a popular technique that promises to effectively manage your productivity, allowing you to finish all the tasks involved in that sprint currently closing on you: the Pomodoro Technique. Have you heard about it? Has it helped you? What’s your take? Let’s dig into it and find out!

The key to productivity in software development

MAINTAINING PRODUCTIVITY: IS THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE FOR YOU?

There are several ways to increase productivity when working on software development projects. First and foremost, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the project requirements to focus your efforts in the right place and avoid wasting time. Secondly, use tools and processes that are designed to improve efficiency; many software development tools already include features that can help automate repetitive tasks. And finally, take regular breaks to avoid burnout; by giving yourself some time to rest and recharge, you will be able to come back to your work with fresh energy and ideas. This is where the Pomodoro Technique comes in.

We know the software development process can be a long and complex one, often involving multiple team members working on different parts of the project at the same time, which makes it difficult to stay focused and ensure that each task is completed efficiently. The Pomodoro Technique, which breaks down work into short intervals followed by breaks, allows developers to take on small tasks and then rest for a bit before starting the next one, preventing them from getting overwhelmed or bogged down in a single task. 

The beauty of the Pomodoro Technique is that it’s easy to get started and there’s no need for expensive tools or software. All you need is a timer and a way to keep track of your progress. The technique is effective in helping people focus and get work done, and it can also help to improve communication among team members, as developers can share their progress and discuss any challenges they are facing more frequently. As a result, this technique has become a popular tool for software development teams looking to improve their productivity.

How does it work?

MAINTAINING PRODUCTIVITY: IS THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE FOR YOU?

The Pomodoro Technique was devised by Francesco Cirillo as a University student in Germany, when he used a tomato-shaped timer to break his work into intervals, allowing him to keep a productive rhythm throughout the day. The basic technique follows these steps:

Before starting

  1. Determine the amount of work that you will need to do.
  2. Deal with any possible interruptions before starting (like emails, phone calls, meetings, or if you are at home, unexpected visits or deliveries).
  3. Make a schedule and set deadlines to finish, to calculate the number of Pomodoros you will need.
  4. Make a list of the tasks you will be tackling in this session.

During the Pomodoro

  1. Choose a task.
  2. Put your timer to 25 minutes and start.
  3. When it is done, take a break of 5 minutes.
  4. Repeat.
  5. After four 25-minute sessions, take a longer break of 20 minutes.

After finishing

    1. Record in a notebook (or something similar) how much you accomplished this session. 
    2. After you compile a good amount of data on your rhythm, start comparing it and note where you are getting stuck.

There isn’t much beyond this, which is the genius of the Pomodoro Technique; it only requires a timer and the willingness to keep records of everything that’s happening, to improve your efficiency constantly, which is why Jesús Magaña, Senior Project Manager at Scio, who advocates for this method in most of the projects he collaborates on: 

“It sounds very exaggerated to say you can only focus completely for about 25 minutes at a time, and some developers say that, when they get into the zone for hours, they can absolutely multitask, chat, watch videos, and work at the same time, but that’s just a simulation. You are not doing those things at once, but one thing after another, as interruptions. So, what Pomodoro does is organize your workflow so you can control your productivity better.”  

With such simple effectiveness, then, it’s easy to see why software developers are drawn to this method. Anyone who has ever worked in software knows that it can be a frustratingly difficult process, and part of the problem is that it’s very difficult to predict how long a given project will take. Even with careful planning, unforeseen complications can always arise and cause delays. 

In addition, software development is often an iterative process, with new features being added or existing ones being modified as the project progresses, which adds to the challenge of maintaining a consistent level of productivity. The relatively high cost of making changes to software once it has been completed can also lead to delays as developers are forced to make sure that each change is necessary, so it’s not surprising that the Pomodoro Technique has seen such a rise in popularity; it promises to keep a developer focused on making progress.

However, is the Pomodoro Technique the end-all of day-to-day productivity? Or are there some downsides we should keep in mind to ensure that it is implemented in the most effective way possible?

The challenges of an effective Pomodoro Technique

MAINTAINING PRODUCTIVITY: IS THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE FOR YOU?

While a popular time management strategy, the Pomodoro Technique is not without challenges and downsides that any developer should be aware of to get the most out of it. In theory, it should help to increase focus and productivity, but it can be difficult to stick to the strict 25-minute/5-minute timeline, especially when you’re in the middle of a particularly challenging task, and the frequent breaks can end up disrupting a workflow, making it harder to get back into the zone, which is something that Jesús Magaña likes to address: 

“There’s research going into people’s attention span, and 25 minutes is a consistent limit for it. So even if you are completely in “the zone” during the Pomodoro, it wasn’t going to last too long after the 25th-minute mark. The trick is getting yourself used to this length of time to accomplish something.”

Of course, nothing stops you from adjusting the length of the Pomodoro according to your personal rhythm; after all, the point is finding a way to keep you engaged in the task without getting burned out in the process. A more personal, customized version of the Pomodoro Technique is the most common at Scio, where the developers implementing it are likely to have better results if they take away some of the rigidity of this system.

Another common criticism of the Pomodoro Technique is that, even if it helps you go through the tasks of the day with no problem, it can be disruptive on a team to have everyone working at different speeds and taking mini breaks at different times. Does the Pomodoro Technique promote or hinder teamwork?

There are some advantages to using the Pomodoro Technique in a team setting; for one, it can help to prevent scope creep by keeping individual tasks focused and manageable, keeping team members on schedule by holding everyone accountable to the same timeline. However, there are also some potential drawbacks, like fragmenting the team’s work or making it difficult to collaborate on complex tasks. Additionally, the Pomodoro Technique relies heavily on individual motivation and discipline, which may not be evenly distributed among team members. Ultimately, whether or not this technique is beneficial for teamwork depends on the specific team dynamics and goals. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for this, so strong management of the project is required to make it work as it should.

Final thoughts

Regarding software development, the Pomodoro Technique is a powerful tool to increase your daily productivity, keep deadlines under control, and help developers make progress every day. And while it has some important downsides to keep in mind, as a solution to daily distractions, it can get the job done. With all that said, we can extract the following key takeaways from it:

  • Keeping your daily productivity can be hard depending on the project and its requirements, but there are a lot of methods out there to help you with that.
  • The Pomodoro Technique is the most widely used, thanks to its low-tech approach and simplicity to keep a working rhythm.
  • However, the rigidity of this technique is not for everyone, but nothing stops you from fine-tuning it to your personal preferences. 
  • Also, it can be counterproductive to teamwork, so having a solid direction and management during the development cycle is critical for a successful implementation of the Pomodoro Technique.

Scio is a Nearshore software development company based in Mexico where we believe that everyone deserves everyone should have the opportunity to work in an environment where they feel like a part of something. A place to excel and unlock their full potential which is the best approach to create a better world. We have been collaborating with US-based clients since 2003, solving challenging programming puzzles, and in the process showcasing the skills of Latin American Engineers. Want to be part of Scio? Get in contact today!