Why developer should learn to make deadline estimates:
- boundaries drive creativity. It pushes you to think of solutions to achieve the deadline
- done is better than perfect
For a junior developer, hitting the deadline is less important.
It's training you to think like a builder, a planner, and a collaborator.
The self-reflection after a task is completed is the most important.
If you didn't hit the deadline, ask yourself:
- what edge case didn't you consider early?
- what questions didn't you ask early?
- what thing should I start next time to avoid this?
- did I start building too late? Do you think getting into building mode early will help you?
- were you tinkering too much on non-important stuff and didn't focus on making it work first?
- were you trying to be too pixel perfect?
- were you completely off the track?
- did you show progress along the way, or did you show it only at the end?
Remember, you have me to review and correct along the way. Make use of me.
If you over-achieve the deadline, celebrate and reflect:
- what solutions did you came up with that allow you to achieve this
- what hard things that I started with that led the remaining half of the coding easy.
How to make good estimates:
- You don't need to be precise. Think broadly like 1 day, 1 week, or 1 month.
- Think of the hard things first.
- Start building early.
FAQ
If hitting the deadline is less important, so why set it?
If you find yourself thinking this way, I'm worried that you're starting to lose ownership and responsibility in your work.
A deadline is still needed so your leaders know when to expect to see your work.
Why did you make estimation before crossing the road? It's because you're responsible for your life.
I feel inexperienced when I fail to hit a deadline
Be proud of this feeling. It shows you're learning and growing.
A person that don't feel this means that they don't value growth. They just want to do easy things and call it a day.
I still feel this way when fail to hit a deadline or goal.
I'm nearing the deadline and I can't make it
The worst thing you can do in this situation is keep quiet.
Communicate.
You have 4 choices:
- Voice out what you're struggling and ask for help. You have me to discuss.
- Work the extra hours to meet the deadline if it's because you were slacking at the start. Take ownership but don't repeat next time.
- Write out why you can't meet it and what you're doing now.
- If you're trying a different solution because you think it's better, write out what is it first.