Talking to your engineering team about improving productivity

Navigating discussions about developer productivity can be daunting for managers, but the key is to approach them with empathy and a focus on shared goals rather than criticism. The emphasis should be on creating a productive work environment that avoids burnout, rather than increasing hours or measuring output through superficial metrics like lines of code. Managers should prepare by understanding the team's current state, celebrating past successes, and acknowledging challenges. Open-ended, offbeat questions can foster innovative thinking, and bringing a trusted colleague can help facilitate the conversation. It's crucial to ensure that discussions about productivity are not linked to individual performance evaluations or job security, as these issues often stem from systemic problems rather than individual failings. Follow-up conversations should be planned to track progress, ensure alignment with company priorities, and celebrate small wins. Useful frameworks such as Crucial Conversations and BICEPS can provide guidance in managing these potentially challenging discussions effectively.