The closer developers are to end users, the better
The closer developers are to end users, the better.
Why? End user feedback increases empathy, motivates developers, shortens the feedback loop, and enables rapid, cheap experimentation.
Developers working with end users is the epitome of agile.
The first line of the agile manifesto:
“Individuals and interactions over processes and tools”
Developers iterating directly with end users is a wonderful example of agile in action. 👍
Unfortunately, this is rare. Most companies don’t trust their developers, and won’t admit it.
So they put layers between devs and users.
This slows the feedback loop, creates doc overhead, and leads to misunderstandings.
Stop the game of telephone.
Let devs talk to users!
What’s the fastest possible feedback loop? A developer hacking code live with the user, and tweaking based on feedback as they try it.
How? Work against mocks.
Any steps away from this slows the feedback loop, and adds overhead. Such overhead should be justified.