The Future of Tech is in Here and Now

Open Space

?? Last week of September 2023, the first (Un)Conference on the topic of the Future of Tech was held in Belgrade, Serbia.

As a woman with over 10 years of experience in the IT industry, in various roles, ecosystems, and work methodologies, it was a pleasure to use the Open Space format to discuss the current challenges and advantages of two work methodologies in the IT world: pair programming and team programming ??♀???????♀?????♂?.

Also, personal growth through these methodologies.

Let me share some insights that I gained through the Open Space and the Panel Discussion.

Hr or Rh?

?? One of the current challenges (and a known one) is that companies fail to see the real benefits of having two or more people work on a single task. They perceive it as a waste of resources.

10% of truth

?? This truth makes sense if these methodologies are not used for the right purposes. So, indeed, some tasks can be done independently by programmers, but others (such as refactoring or test-first programming) have much greater benefits when approached through these methodologies, with proper guidance.

Maintenance… intrspkshn

?? Another interesting challenge is: how to maintain enthusiasm among programmers for pair/group programming on a single task?

??♀? Guided by personal experience in working with others: by introducing deeper introspection for each team member, and urging each team member to take responsibility for their own saboteurs at the level of their mind. Therefore, the keyword is RESPONSIBILITY. For oneself, one’s feelings, emotions, thoughts, and actions. For this to be possible, people need a framework that enables them to do so on a daily basis.

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm. Winston Churchill

Vlnrlbty

?? Part of the discussion was also psychological safety during pair/group work – vulnerability, as resistance due to saboteurs occurs, as well as resistance to this type of work. The conclusion is that we will never reach that level of psychological safety that is imposed on us through various stories, and if we remove all obstacles – and if we exclusively strive for that, then we miss the point.

??? The key is in deep introspection, and only in this way can we provide psychological safety to ourselves and the environment we are in, strengthening both our own and our team’s resilience regardless of the circumstances and challenges that arise.

???? I am glad to hear that there are people who practice these methodologies and reap the benefits of their work on their projects and that there is interest in them. Especially for deeper self-work.

Thanks to Milica Lubinic, Filip Petrovic from Devistify, and all the other team members for organizing this event, panelists, and open space contributors.

As well as Tenderly from Belgrade that provided us their venue for this event! ??

note: Everything I share here is straight from my heart and based on my personal experiences. It's my truth, shaped by my journey. Keep in mind, what clicks with me might not vibe the same way for everyone. Let's chat and respect each other's unique perspectives. After all, it's the mix of our stories that makes this space so awesome.