Start iterations on Wednesdays
A working week runs Monday to Friday, so it feels natural to start an iteration on the Monday and finish it on the Friday. On the Amplifying Your Effectiveness site, Johanna Rothman asked 'Whats wrong with Wednesday?'Our iterations are 1 week in duration and they start on Wednesday and finish on Tuesday. Friday night is the start of the weekend so it's great to always get away on time. And coming in on the Monday with energy levels boosted by the weekend's rest, you're ready for the push towards the iteration review on Tuesday.
Compare this to approaching the iteration review on Friday with depleted energy levels because you've worked a contiguous week on the iteration without a break. And then having to work late on Friday to get the iteration done. There's a good chance you'll be too exhausted to enjoy your Saturday.
I know which I prefer. I like starting iterations on Wednesdays.
Tags: extreme programming, iteration
posted by Simon Baker @ permalink
blinklist :
del.icio.us :
digg :
furl :
simpy :
spurl :
reddit
2 Comments:
well, was 40-hour-week not part of agile techniques (especially xp) ? ...
Indeed. The 40-hour week was part of Exreme Programming Explained, First Edition. However, IMO restricting work to 40 hours every week was never realistic. It's view of the working environment is too black-and-white. I prefer to trust team members to know when they are tired and go home to recharge. Kent Beck re-thought the 40-hour Week and substitued it for Engergized Work in Extreme Programming Explained, Second Edition.
The practice of Engergized Work is about working only for those hours where you are genuinely productive. Manage the time you spend at work carefully and protect your flow time. When programming, come up for air regularly. Take breaks often to refresh your brain and your senses. Work as many hours as you can sustain without a detrimental affect on the quality of your work, your health, and of course your personal life outside work. Burning yourself out today and spoiling the next two days of work isn't good for you or the team. It's important to retain a sensible perspective and find the right balance between work and play.
Simon Baker
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home