How much code should I be writing?

Should I be coding at all?

it depends

Factors

• How big is your shop?
• How many developers do you have?
• How many people do you manage?
• Can you afford to spend time programming?
• Can you afford to NOT spend time programming?
• Is there a deadline?
• Can you even program?
• Should you even be programming?
• Do you even remember how to program?
• What level are you in the org?

Don't stop being technical

Tips & Tricks

Manager or Lead

• Keep writing code
• Take an active part in code reviews
• Work on some important things
• Don't be a bottleneck
• Don't take all the "fun" stuff
• Fix bugs
• Address technical debt
• If possible, make your time "free"

Manager of managers

• Keep writing code of some kind
• Take an active part in code reviews
• Little to no code actually in production
• Internal tools
• Dashboards
• Attend technical meetings
• Attend architecture discussions

Manager of managers of managers

• Keep writing code of some kind. Somewhere
• Coding is not your job anymore
• Don't forget your roots
• Don't stop knowing what you are talking about
• Or what other people are talking about
• Read books
• Attend meetings
• Code on the side?

Still need to be technical

No matter what, don't spend less than 30% of your time coding

http://www.drdobbs.com/architecture-and-design/engineering-managers-should-code-30-of-t/240165174

Reasons

• Estimates
• Technical debt
• Continuity of Understanding
• Parity with Responsibility
• Respect for team

Small percentage based on team size (5-20%)

http://scottberkun.com/2010/should-managers-know-how-to-code/

"your primary job is to do all the things that individual programmers cannot do."

Stay flexible and don't stop developing

http://randsinrepose.com/archives/technicality/

Advice for not losing perspective

• Use the development environment to build the product
• Be able to draw a detailed architectural diagram describing your product on any white board at any time
• Own a feature
• Write a test script

Managers don't code

Yes, but they should!

No, they shouldn't!

http://www.c2.com/cgi/wiki?ManagersDontCode

Benefits of coding

• Keep managers connected to the technology
• Remind them what real coding is like
• Ensure they are thinking about Succession Planning
• Provide exposure to an entirely different part of the business
• For many managers, increase their level of job satisfaction