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What if a software developer didn't complete his work within the deadline?

3 points by donnie12345 ↗ HN
Y'all get in here !!! Let's discuss this important topic.

Also add answers and opinions related to : What do software developers do when they are forced to write a code/project within an impossible deadline?

What should a software developer do when company is giving unrealistic workloads and deadlines?

Is missing deadlines common in software development?

8 comments

[ 4.9 ms ] story [ 32.1 ms ] thread
donnie12345
Apologies, I know this are a lot of topics that I'm asking to cover but I need an honest opinion from senior developers.
geoah
My $0.02: Stay chill, breakdown the task in smaller easier to explain tasks together with their requirements and dependencies, go through them with the stakeholders, and try to offer alternatives and cutbacks while making sure they understand the consequences, and basically offer them an alternative that is feasible with the resources given.

Good luck :)

AnimalMuppet
And if they won't listen, state clearly and in writing that their plans/requests/demands will not be met. State it not just to them, but to others in positions of power and influence. Make it clear that the failure was too large a scope, not inability to deliver, and make it clear that the overly ambitious person was warned up front.
revskill
Descoping original task.

It's what agility in "Agile development" about.

dusted
> Is missing deadlines common in software development?

Yes.

> What should a software developer do when company is giving unrealistic workloads and deadlines?

Depends on the org, but mainly, give realistic feedback, that includes what can be realistically expected to be delivered.

> What do software developers do when they are forced to write a code/project within an impossible deadline?

Keep calm and carry on. Deadlines are someone else's problem, if they don't want them missed, it's their responsibility to communicate clearly enough with the developers to set realistic deadlines and expectations.