Developers Face Big Challenges
As my colleague James Powell
reported last week, coding and data tools provider
Embarcadero Technologies recently published an interesting study that looked at some of the key challenges facing professional developers. According to the survey of 606 developers, analysts and architects, more than half (52 percent) said they simply do not have enough time to complete their work. Nearly one-third (31 percent) singled out poor unit and system testing as a top challenge.
I spoke with Mike Rozlog, senior director of Delphi Solutions at Embarcadero Technologies, after the survey results were released, and asked him if he thought the results were at all surprising. He said absolutely not.
"As this recession has taken hold and gone worldwide, developers are being asked to take on just monumental tasks," said Rozlog, who described the developer community as increasingly frustrated and cynical.
Rozlog said developers are scrambling to assess new technologies and tooling at a time when companies are simply not investing in training. The focus for organizations, he said, is entirely on short term ROI. "It's right in your face. If you are not delivering value, it is just a waste of time," he said.
Rozlog did offer some advice for developers frustrated by the lack of time and funding for skills training. His take? Developers are often over-anxious to jump on the newest technology.
"There is a feeling inside of many developers right now that if they don't do it right this second they are going to lose it," Rozlog said, adding. "Take a deep breath, relax a little bit. The technology is still going to be there.
Posted by Michael Desmond on 08/11/2010