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Discussion on: How Do You Balance Speed & Quality When Delivering Code?

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Gaurang • Edited

When balancing speed and quality in code delivery, I believe there are two crucial factors to consider.

Firstly, while implementing a feature, there may be multiple approaches, each with its advantages and disadvantages. One approach might prove easier and faster to implement but may not be open to minor changes in requirements. While another approach may initially seem rudimentary but could suffice given the overall impact and associated use cases.

A thorough understanding of the problem statement is essential to make informed decisions. This involves examining use cases, identifying potential failures, assessing complexity, anticipating future needs, and determining business impact and priority.

The second important aspect is time estimation. Once critical and optional use cases have been identified, it becomes possible to estimate the time required for delivery more effectively. This helps in setting realistic expectations and managing resources efficiently.

Open communication across teams is crucial too. There have been instances when I have engaged with the product team, outlining the use cases we can complete within the expected timeline and any limitations or uncovered cases. The product team, understanding the priorities, has often responded flexibly, excluding edge cases or lower-priority items from the initial implementation. This kind of collaboration ensures that critical use cases are prioritized and delivered on time, while also managing expectations for cases that may not be covered initially.

While speed is important, certain aspects should never be compromised. Neglecting these factors can lead to long-term technical debt and issues. Examples include pushing untested code to production, using single-letter variable names, or relying on global variables. It is necessary to maintain a clear understanding of non-negotiable factors and ensure they are upheld throughout the development process.

Often, business and product teams prioritize speedy delivery without considering the costs of technical debt. Transparent communication is key to mitigating these risks. It is essential to ensure alignment among developers, product teams, business stakeholders, and QA teams regarding compromises made for speed. By reaching a collective agreement on acceptable quality levels within the given time frame, it is possible to strike a balance between speed and quality without sacrificing essential factors.