You're feeling the heat to rush feature delivery. How do you maintain code quality under pressure?

Prioritize Critical Features: When under pressure, it’s essential to focus on what truly matters. Not all features need to be delivered immediately. Work closely with stakeholders to understand which features are most critical for the current release. Stick to Best Practices Even in a time crunch, adhering to coding best practices is non-negotiable. Avoid the temptation to take shortcuts that compromise code readability, structure, or functionality. Refactor Incrementally You may not have time for large-scale refactoring when rushing to deliver features, but you can still improve the codebase in small ways.

Over the past year, I’ve been in a constant push to maintain code quality while revamping our product. Here’s my experience: I’ve discovered effective ways to blend manual and automated methods to tackle this challenge. By exploring IDE plugins that automatically spot code smells and suggest improvements, I can quickly enhance our codebase. At the same time, I take the time to manually relook and refactor complex modules—like breaking down a tangled user data handler into simpler functions—making it clearer and more efficient. Collaborating with my team through code reviews and pair programming sparks fresh ideas and improvements. This dynamic mix keeps my workflow agile and ensures that we deliver high-quality features.

One of my senior once gave me a few suggestions and i still try to follow those : 1. Prioritise writing tests. Saves time fixing bugs later and lets you sleep better. 2. Clean as you code. A little refactoring during development keeps the mess from piling up. 3. Focus on delivering MVPs with solid foundations. It’s quicker to build on quality than to patch up a rushed job.

Set Clear Priorities: Focus on essential features first. Identify core functionalities and defer less critical ones if needed. Break Tasks into Chunks: Divide work into smaller tasks for easier testing and quicker feedback. Automated Testing: Use automated tests to ensure existing functionality remains intact as new features are added. Encourage Collaboration: Leverage team strengths through pair programming for real-time feedback. Quick Code Reviews: Implement streamlined reviews focusing on key quality aspects to catch critical issues. Communicate with Stakeholders: Keep communication open about the implications of rushing, managing expectations for quality.

Balancing speed and precision in coding, especially when the clock is ticking, is no easy feat. My approach? I focus on getting a working prototype first—something functional but not perfect. Then, I circle back to refine the code for quality, making sure to address readability, performance, and maintainability. Tools like linters and automated tests also help catch issues early without slowing me down.