It would be easy to think, like most people apparently do, that stress and the computing (and especially programming) industry were unlikely bedfellows. The habitual image of long-haired young "geek" programmers churning out 'software' from their teenage bedrooms is one that many still associate with mainstream programmers. Stereotype or not, this image is still commonly held, and the armies of deadline-bound, overworked and stressed-out programmers in the real World are all but forgotten in the melee that is the result of the technological age.
Stress is widespread within the computer industry, perhaps even endemic. From the assembly-line manufacturers forever looking to increase throughput to the debuggers whose time requirements weren't in the original production schedule, pressure on those who work in the industry is at an all-time high and it is only going to increase as margins drop and further efficiencies are required.
Even getting into the industry can be stressful ? like private companies, many educational institutions are now usurping control of the code written on their campuses via "ownership" clauses which leave the originators of ground-breaking code with nothing to show for their efforts. Having something to show at interview is becoming increasingly difficult not just for existing programmers, but for the "new wave" just emerging from colleges and universities with excellent qualifications, but nothing they "own" to demonstrate.
Once the elusive job does come along, things rarely improve. Our "immediate" society is a result of the computer age and effortless sourcing of products and services via the internet. How many programmers have faced the challenge of meeting impossible deadlines with the threat that the next job will go to cheaper labour overseas that can do it in half the time? This leads to longer working hours, less rest, exhaustion, errors and then the cycle starts again - is that really what we expected when we entered the industry? So how can you reduce the stress put upon you by this relentless march of "progress".
First of all, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound (or should that be a ton?) of cure. By ensuring that your contracts are fair and considerate to both sides, you could remove a lot of stress later on. Here are five easy steps to help prevent stress in you next contract:
1. Be Honest
If a deadline is too short ? say so. If it seems short now, it will only seem much shorter later.
2. Be Realistic
When you are assessing the requirements of a job, make sure you've got some wiggle-room. Nine times out of ten, you'll need it (or at least appreciate it!)
3. Be Certain
Check your facts, figures, requirements and timings. If you have made an error, you want to find out now, not later when you'll be held to what you quoted.
4. Be Flexible
It helps to have an ace up your sleeve. If things really go wrong, where can you get extra help. Build contingency arrangements with others in your field and help each other out when you need it.
5. Beware
Stress creeps up on you unexpectedly. Do routine reviews against your plan and make sure you're still on course. If not, DO something about it and always, ALWAYS let the client know.
Brian Adamson
natural health information centre
This article is Copyright 2005 Natural Health Information Centre, but may be freely distributed in its entirety when properly attributed to the source:
natural health information centre.
natural health information centre
non-toxic cleaning company Winnetka ..Microsoft-Outlook is a pretty amazing program. So much more than... Read More
Using professional icons in your application or website can bring... Read More
Introduction: The creating of a computer program involves a number... Read More
In our opinion, traditional approach when you select ERP/MRP system... Read More
Spyware is like the new technological nuclear weapon on the... Read More
Three highly respected names in Human Resources have joined forces... Read More
For those who still don't know, Microsoft Publisher helps computer... Read More
We would like to give you pluses and minuses of... Read More
If your company has regional and worldwide operations, you might... Read More
During the years of our consulting practice, which comes back... Read More
Whether you are an experienced web programmer or a complete... Read More
It is now common thing when large corporation selects mid-market... Read More
Best Software Act! is very popular CRM for small and... Read More
Microsoft Great Plains might be considered as ERP platform to... Read More
In a previous article, I wrote about OpenOffice... Read More
Not every software testing project can or should be automated.... Read More
GroupwareThe internet is full of 1.5 million to 7 million... Read More
Is your PC is slow and wimpy? Then you need... Read More
If you have Microsoft Great Plains as main accounting and... Read More
If you have been using the Internet for any amount... Read More
In this short FAQ style article we would like to... Read More
Although we don't know whether Microsoft ever envisioned such a... Read More
There are certain pluses and minuses in both cases and... Read More
Our company, Novaprof Inc., developed unique software - DB Integration.... Read More
1. What determines the software price? Is it Per Seat... Read More
experienced cleaning professionals Glencoe ..What is 'adware'?Adware is basically software or scripts that are... Read More
Three highly respected names in Human Resources have joined forces... Read More
With so many Microsoft Windows related viruses, errors, and other... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains is mid and even corporate... Read More
Looks like Microsoft Great Plains becomes more and more popular,... Read More
Siebel is traditional CRM market leader, however and mostly due... Read More
Finally, you have some time to personalize your desktop with... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions ? Great Plains is designed to meet... Read More
Customer Relationship Management, abbreviated "CRM," is the term for a... Read More
Icons are used everywhere; right from software applications, to internet... Read More
DBxtra is a powerful query and reporting tool that hides... Read More
Following tips help you to learn a software in lesser... Read More
Cyberspace has opened up a new frontier with exciting possibilities... Read More
Microsoft has never released a service pack for Windows98 SE,... Read More
CD and DVD replication is a process that works by... Read More
The title of "software engineer" has got to be among... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions offers several ERP applications: Great Plains, Navision,... Read More
I completed an experiment recently. I wanted to find out... Read More
Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains was designed back in the... Read More
We all take the computer for granted. I mean, all... Read More
Great Plains Software Dynamics, Dynamics C/S+, eEnterprise were written on... Read More
You might think you don't need a firewall... Read More
There is many things more frustrating than surfing a website... Read More
If your company has regional and worldwide operations, you might... Read More
You would like to protect your documents, wouldn't you? Reasons... Read More
Software |