Level Up Your Problem Solving Skills

To become a better software engineer.

Welcome!

Hi this is John with this week’s Developing Skills - Skills for Developers looking to develop their careers.

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Tip of The Week: Become a Better Software Engineer By Levelling Up Your Problem Solving Skills

Good problem-solving skills are the difference between a software engineer who just about makes the code work and a software engineer who creates robust, efficient solutions to the problems that matter to the organisation.

These skills aren't a nice-to-have; they're the linchpin for writing, deploying and operating high-quality solutions and ensuring projects and products succeed. So how do you developer them? Here’s some suggestions.

Problem solving is a skill all by itself. The good news is it’s one you can work on and develop with practice. A good start is to use a systematic approach like the following.

1. Clearly Define the Problem:

   • Before diving into solutions, ensure a clear understanding of the problem at hand.

   • Break down the problem into smaller components to make it more manageable.

2. Research:

   • Dive into documentation, online resources, and engage with team members and the community to gather insights.

   • A well-informed approach sets the foundation for effective problem-solving.

3. Brainstorm Solutions:

   • Encourage creative thinking and consider multiple approaches to solving the problem.

   • Foster an open and collaborative environment for team members to contribute ideas.

4. Test, Refine and Iterate:

   • Implement solutions incrementally, testing at each step to identify potential pitfalls.

   • Embrace an iterative approach, refining and optimising solutions based on feedback and results.

5. Document the Process:

   • Keep a record of the problem-solving process, including the steps taken and decisions made.

   • Documentation not only aids in future reference but also facilitates knowledge sharing within the team.

Despite using a systematic approach you’ll still fail sometimes. Don’t treat failures as roadblocks. Instead view them as stepping stones to growth.

Here’s 5 tips on how to do that.

1. Embrace a Growth Mindset:

   • View failures not as roadblocks but as opportunities for learning and development.

   • Cultivate a mindset that values the process of overcoming challenges as a means of personal and professional growth.

2. Post-Mortems and Retrospectives:

   • Conduct thorough post-mortems after project completion or significant issues.

   • Reflect on what went wrong, what went right, and establish actionable insights for future improvements.

3. Create a Blame-Free Culture:

   • Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable admitting mistakes.

   • Focus on collaborative problem-solving rather than placing blame, creating a culture that promotes openness and continuous improvement.

4. Iterate Based on Feedback:

   • Act on feedback received from failures promptly.

   • Use failure as a catalyst for iteration, refining processes, and enhancing strategies for future problem-solving.

5. Celebrate Successes Arising from Failures:

   • Recognise and celebrate instances where failure led to significant improvements or innovative solutions.

   • Reinforce the idea that failures, when approached with a growth mindset, can pave the way for notable successes in the long run.

Two Ways I Can Help You Level Up As A Software Engineer:

1. I write another newsletter, Coding Challenges that helps you become a better software engineer through coding challenges that build real applications.

2. I have some courses available:

   1. Become a Better Software Developer by Building Your Own Redis Server (Python Edition) which guides you through solving the Redis Coding Challenge in Python.

   2. Build Your Own Shell (Go Edition) which guides you through solving the Shell Coding Challenge in Go.