Motivating and keeping software developers
Ken Whitaker · Computer · 1997
Addresses the needs of those who are responsible for managing or leading computing professionals. This article is about motivating and rewarding software developers. This is especially difficult in a competitive job market that emphasizes high salaries and multiple opportunities for each software developer. Two important issues you need to handle are: making certain that developers understand their roles; and keeping developers happy, using either rewards or incentives. Management usually reacts to a wave of departing developers rather than proactively doing the right things to make certain that developers don't even think about leaving. Do the right thing now. To motivate and keep developers: (1) define a product delivery process and clear roles; (2) reward-don't use incentives; (3) set goals and make career plans on a regular basis; and (4) compensate to keep people.