Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 88 | Page 74

FINAL WORD

Eight effective ways to build a productive development team

The human element is a key part of team behaviour and ensuring that each team member has the best work relationships through well thought out and pro-active communication practices will go a long way in ensuring they are productive and the overall team as well , explains Gabriel Eisenberg at Synthesis Software Technologies .

Project success hinges on many factors , but the human element of development teams should not be overlooked . While the team primarily delivers code , software systems and intricate system architectures , the journey to project success can be streamlined by prioritising the soft skills and relationships amongst developers , your fellow warriors in the trenches .

With the right foundations , unbreakable bonds are formed that are worth striving for , ensuring a more cohesive and productive team .
# 1 Ownership
Regardless of the role , be it a technical lead or developer , everyone can lead by taking ownership of their domain and contributing to the project ’ s success . Taking on responsibility goes a long way and empowers everyone .
Fostering a culture where everyone embraces ownership and actively contributes not only enhances individual growth but also strengthens the collaborative fabric of the entire team .
# 2 Communication
Teams perform best when communication is frequent , and individuals lean on each other for help . Although communication is critical , comprehension is what will ensure that the team is truly on the same page . While meetings are a wonderful way to bring the team together , it is worth taking the time to ensure that the team is aligned in these sessions . This simple act can save a lot of time over the duration of a project and can prevent large scale changes .
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