Re: Re: On Creating an Effective Work Environment

[halley]

Amen. I could never work in any of these "open plan" bullsh-pen suggestions. What's next, uniforms and fox-holes? A few people can work well like that, but not everyone. We could easily list a large number of teams and companies (both Bazaar and Cathedral style) who are extremely effective without playpen spaces.

Being in view of someone else's screen, when I'm trying to concentrate on mine, destroys my 'groove'. And vice versa. I'll come out of my office to question, to arrange, to chit-chat, to play hacky-sack. I'll go into my office to code. I'll set the lights the way I want. I won't overhear a conversation and try to butt in, and I won't be interrupted by someone else when I'm trying to talk one-on-one. I'll sit on my papa-san couch and read when I need to, without everyone watching me "slack off."

If people are going to own their problem domain, they need to feel like they own their physical domain too.

If you mix several flavors too thoroughly, you get the bland average. If you highlight and juxtapose various flavors, you get a dynamic interaction.

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[ e d @ h a l l e y . c c ]

[vek]

I could never work in any of these "open plan" bullsh-pen suggestions. What's next, uniforms and fox-holes? A few people can work well like that, but not everyone. We could easily list a large number of teams and companies (both Bazaar and Cathedral style) who are extremely effective without playpen spaces.

I couldn't agree more. Working in an open playpen is certainly *not* for everyone. I think a lot of it boils down to your personality. I can't think of anything worse than someone looking over my shoulder all day long - or forced to look over someone else's shoulder myself. That would drive me nuts. I like to put on my headphones and start banging out code.

Where I work, all non manager types live in the cubie farm. The developers are all in the same area. When we need to ask each other questions we do - there's no need to get up from our cubies. We have an open area (i.e corner of office next to the window) that we use for our meetings. It all works extremely well. You certainly don't need an open playpen to be productive.

-- vek --

[chromatic]

I can't think of anything worse than someone looking over my shoulder all day long - or forced to look over someone else's shoulder myself.

No one wants that, which is why it's not part of pair programming.

Of course, if you've never tried it and you're not willing to try it, you'd never make it on my team. I know — I've worked with people who weren't willing to try.

[vek]

I did try it and I didn't like it. Just my mindset I suppose, I like to have my 'space' when working.

Pair programming cetainly isn't for everyone. Some people may love it and shout the benefits from the rooftops and that's fine with me - whatever bakes your noodle I suppose. I've found that developers can be quite productive and work well without the need for pair programming. Obviously YMMV.

-- vek --