3 Must-Do's When Working with Multiple Developers

When working with a team of developers, three practices have consistently proven valuable: clear communication, clear task management with Git and testing, and collaborative problem-solving. I’ve experienced both sides—leading a team of developers and being part of a team with a lead developer managing code reviews. No matter the role, these attributes are essential for a successful project.

Clear Communication Clear communication is by far the most important. Every day, I find it helpful to connect with the lead and other developers to check in, offer assistance, or simply clarify what I'll be working on that day. Sometimes tasks are written quickly, so it’s crucial to discuss any unclear points to avoid misunderstandings. Communication also helps in addressing technical challenges or potential issues in tasks.

Each lead may have preferences regarding coding style, and discussing these expectations ensures consistency across the project. For instance, maintaining a shared WIKI or documentation on project principles, commonly used functions, or specific files can enhance the team's efficiency and overall success.

Clear Task Management with Git & Testing Good Git practices clarify what each developer is working on and prevent branches from lagging behind. Typically, we start by checking out the ‘develop’ branch. For new tasks, the branch name should include the Jira ticket number, date, and a brief description, e.g., jira/{ProjectName}-{TaskNumber}/{TodaysDate}/{Description}. This convention provides clarity and makes branch names understandable for the lead and other developers.

Once a task is complete, it’s crucial to merge it back into ‘develop’. To ensure compatibility, developers should merge the latest ‘develop’ branch into their working branch before creating a merge request. This process allows the lead to review changes easily and ensures that everything works correctly. Testing is critical; the developer should provide evidence (such as screenshots or videos) demonstrating the task's functionality, making it clear that the task has been thoroughly tested before review.

Collaborative Problem Solving Collaborative problem-solving is essential since developers may encounter unfamiliar challenges where a lead developer’s guidance can lead to a more efficient outcome. Some issues might impact the entire project, so it’s beneficial to discuss and troubleshoot tasks together before starting on them. While not every problem can be anticipated at the beginning, tackling issues as a team—even mid-project—ensures that solutions are optimal for everyone involved, resulting in a stronger final product.