Where I currently work I do not have an office, but if I did I would choose the open office layout. I feel that team environments should be open and relaxed where if a team member goofed on something they are a foam dart away. Test teams and development teams should always be working together from day one, I think projects would go way smoother this way than having the two working independently of each other. Having engineers work on their choice of high end equipment only leads to high end products in my opinion, if they use crap equipment they're only going to produce a crappy product, it's probably best to dish out the money for better equipment early on than having to pay for up upgrades later.
I personally prefer cubicles since I'll have my own territory :) however, being in that for long time is boring. On the other hand working in open office has so much fun although it's noisy and you can't concentrate on your task. Since I am/was working in small offices I didn't have chance to have both of these environments at same office. About testing team, my preference is also having both together although sometimes looking at face of tester make you angry. For short term is okay however for long term (product development) I prefer to not see tester every day (you know having someone always criticizing you is not funny). In my last company Me as developer was working from Malaysia while testers were in Australia and I really enjoyed my life :) I also prefer high end devices since it has positive impact on application development although it's costly for the company. I think company will get better revenue finally since developer is able to deliver product in higher performance, enjoying his life and making delivery time shorter. However small companies usually prefer to use out dated equipment to reduce costs of company. I was working in a company that OS of my pc was Windows Vista and PC restarted at least 3 times a day suddenly. When I reported to my CTO he was always said "oooooh, I see, I see" :) (it's not complain, is just sharing my experiences.)
I need at least four screens and the corner with a view - Because I need plenty of space to stay focused, and at least one Admin Asst. ( 2 ) when I get rolling.
Our testers are on the opposite site of the planet, and while they do the best they can to communicate via e-mail and IM, sometimes it's frustrating not to be looking at the same monitor so you can just demonstrate or point at the thing that's either broken or needs improvement. :)
Well, your testers can use a screen recorder and send you videos of the steps of the bugs whenever needed. Like Jing is the one. Hope that may help communicate better.
For me as a tester, being close to devs is a crucial and vital thing. Most defects get detected even before being coded!
About office layout, here in Kyiv's GlobalLogic we've got office with plenty of cool things. I'd say it somehow similar to Google offices, and it's amazing! Such a workspace keeps me motivated.
Development team and testing team sitting together is a great idea, but I have observed that team sitting in closer layout has impacted the productivity because the place becomes noisy.
I can see there’s a need for close integration between different disciplines but I’m still surprised an open-plan environment is the best choice. Colleagues should be able to chat about stuff that doesn’t concern me without worrying about the distraction that might cause.
IIRC Bell Labs had offices with windows and doors onto a corridor. If the two sharing the office didn’t want to be disturbed they simply closed the door. The windows meant you could spot John passing and buttonhole him. Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister’s classic Peopleware also finds against open plan. Perhaps lack of space is overriding possible better arrangements?
1. Do you prefer an open-office layout, cubicles, or private offices?
From test engineering point of view Cubicles are the best option. A cubical can give an environment to developer/tester to concentrate on work. When ever it is open-office it may distract people.
2.Should test teams be embedded with development teams, or should they operate separately? Test team must operate separately to avoid development team influence.
3.Do the benefits of offering engineers high-end equipment outweigh the costs? Systems should be provided as per the requirement. For example sometimes test team needs to run 2/3 virtual systems on same system, so in this case high end equipment is preferred, but in the case of only one web system with only one browser a low end equipment should work.
Do you prefer an open-office layout, cubicles, or private offices? - We operate in Agile Scrum, so I prefer an open-office layout or if going with cubicles, cubes with half walls instead of full height. Being able to have a quick conversation without having to get up and walk across the room is a very underrated benefit.
Should test teams be embedded with development teams, or should they operate separately? - Again, with Scrum teams, I believe that having the tester embedded within the development team is incredibly valuable. Within our organization the testers are embedded but still report to a different leader than the dev team. This allows us to have testers integrated in every facet of the development cycle, while still being independent.
Do the benefits of offering engineers high-end equipment outweigh the costs? - I believe so. If you look at the per hour cost of a developer and compare that to the cost of an entry level system versus a high end development machine, the additional cost can easily be rationalized through time efficiencies of the high end device.
I prefer an open-office layout... Being able to have a quick conversation without having to get up and walk across the room is a very underrated benefit
That doesn't take into consideration the detriment it may have on those needlessly disturbed by the conversation.
If the development and product delivery life-cycle period is in short term, Open-Office seems more acceptable.
In my opinion, tasks about development/testing come with the person to everywhere who goes to.
Best test cases or development solutions do not come to mind at the office every time. I think Google recognized this issue and Google Offices're designed "Feel like at home" Style.
In addition, the red colored carpets and furniture make me suspicious when i read this news :) http://www.omg-facts.com/Science/The-Color-Red-Is-Scientifically-Proven-T/13980?lp=1.
There are many different opinions surrounding layout styles when planning an office. Many tech companies and start-ups have embraced open-office layouts with endless varieties of desk, chair, and work station arrangements. Research supports that open-office layouts and communal areas promote idea sharing, however I think the line of business as well as the specific workflow dictates the optimal office layout. Some projects/processes thrive off of collaboration while others demand focus and solitude. For example, the accounting department would be better served in segmented workstations while UI/UX teams will flourish in an open-office layout that facilitates idea sharing. Before arranging or re-arranging an office, it's key to consider how the layout will impact productivity and efficiency. This determination can best be achieved by reaching out to teams for feedback, as you mentioned in your second paragraph with Google's bottom-up approach to innovation.
I like the section about what the people have on their desks... When I remember the long discussions at our place about the costs of larger screens and newer PCs versus the saved handling and compilation times *rolleyes*
Nevertheless as an embedded systems engineer I wonder if such an open office concept as you have it at most google places would work for people like me with all the stuff on our desks (prototype boards, power supply, measurement equipment asf.) Is it the same for the guys doing Android and Chrome OS where the have to test on a pile of hardware?
It's strange to see how the warehousing of software developers is a great step forward in ergonomics. Companies short of space (e.g., big aerospace firms) have frequently resorted to taking a huge empty building and filling it with desks for engineers, etc.; this was related to me as a horror story, though. That approach yields too much noise, too many distractions and a general feeling of being a teeny, tiny replaceable cog in a giant soulless machine. Computer labs at universities also employ this expediency, although in this case it's more like an office with open seating; again it's like the computer users are barely tolerated clients. Maybe that's what folks get accustomed to as students but it sure seems a long ways from optimal. With current collaboration tools there's no reason you can't have intentional collaboration and with private offices it can be accomplished without inflicting it on everyone in hearing range. There's a time for brainstorming and much more frequently a time for intense focus.
Where I currently work I do not have an office, but if I did I would choose the open office layout. I feel that team environments should be open and relaxed where if a team member goofed on something they are a foam dart away. Test teams and development teams should always be working together from day one, I think projects would go way smoother this way than having the two working independently of each other. Having engineers work on their choice of high end equipment only leads to high end products in my opinion, if they use crap equipment they're only going to produce a crappy product, it's probably best to dish out the money for better equipment early on than having to pay for up upgrades later.
ReplyDeleteI personally prefer cubicles since I'll have my own territory :) however, being in that for long time is boring. On the other hand working in open office has so much fun although it's noisy and you can't concentrate on your task. Since I am/was working in small offices I didn't have chance to have both of these environments at same office.
ReplyDeleteAbout testing team, my preference is also having both together although sometimes looking at face of tester make you angry. For short term is okay however for long term (product development) I prefer to not see tester every day (you know having someone always criticizing you is not funny). In my last company Me as developer was working from Malaysia while testers were in Australia and I really enjoyed my life :)
I also prefer high end devices since it has positive impact on application development although it's costly for the company. I think company will get better revenue finally since developer is able to deliver product in higher performance, enjoying his life and making delivery time shorter. However small companies usually prefer to use out dated equipment to reduce costs of company. I was working in a company that OS of my pc was Windows Vista and PC restarted at least 3 times a day suddenly. When I reported to my CTO he was always said "oooooh, I see, I see" :) (it's not complain, is just sharing my experiences.)
I need at least four screens and the corner with a view - Because I need plenty of space to stay focused, and at least one Admin Asst. ( 2 ) when I get rolling.
ReplyDeleteOur testers are on the opposite site of the planet, and while they do the best they can to communicate via e-mail and IM, sometimes it's frustrating not to be looking at the same monitor so you can just demonstrate or point at the thing that's either broken or needs improvement. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, your testers can use a screen recorder and send you videos of the steps of the bugs whenever needed. Like Jing is the one. Hope that may help communicate better.
Deletecomo siempre perfectos Google es Google
ReplyDeleteyo no hablo siento Google perfecto en todo el mundo
ReplyDeleteFor me as a tester, being close to devs is a crucial and vital thing.
ReplyDeleteMost defects get detected even before being coded!
About office layout, here in Kyiv's GlobalLogic we've got office with plenty of cool things. I'd say it somehow similar to Google offices, and it's amazing! Such a workspace keeps me motivated.
Development team and testing team sitting together is a great idea, but I have observed that team sitting in closer layout has impacted the productivity because the place becomes noisy.
ReplyDeleteI can see there’s a need for close integration between different disciplines but I’m still surprised an open-plan environment is the best choice. Colleagues should be able to chat about stuff that doesn’t concern me without worrying about the distraction that might cause.
ReplyDeleteIIRC Bell Labs had offices with windows and doors onto a corridor. If the two sharing the office didn’t want to be disturbed they simply closed the door. The windows meant you could spot John passing and buttonhole him. Tom DeMarco and Timothy Lister’s classic Peopleware also finds against open plan. Perhaps lack of space is overriding possible better arrangements?
1. Do you prefer an open-office layout, cubicles, or private offices?
ReplyDeleteFrom test engineering point of view Cubicles are the best option. A cubical can give an environment to developer/tester to concentrate on work. When ever it is open-office it may distract people.
2.Should test teams be embedded with development teams, or should they operate separately?
Test team must operate separately to avoid development team influence.
3.Do the benefits of offering engineers high-end equipment outweigh the costs?
Systems should be provided as per the requirement. For example sometimes test team needs to run 2/3 virtual systems on same system, so in this case high end equipment is preferred, but in the case of only one web system with only one browser a low end equipment should work.
Do you prefer an open-office layout, cubicles, or private offices?
ReplyDelete- We operate in Agile Scrum, so I prefer an open-office layout or if going with cubicles, cubes with half walls instead of full height. Being able to have a quick conversation without having to get up and walk across the room is a very underrated benefit.
Should test teams be embedded with development teams, or should they operate separately?
- Again, with Scrum teams, I believe that having the tester embedded within the development team is incredibly valuable. Within our organization the testers are embedded but still report to a different leader than the dev team. This allows us to have testers integrated in every facet of the development cycle, while still being independent.
Do the benefits of offering engineers high-end equipment outweigh the costs?
- I believe so. If you look at the per hour cost of a developer and compare that to the cost of an entry level system versus a high end development machine, the additional cost can easily be rationalized through time efficiencies of the high end device.
Yes I'm ready to work for google. I'll work for food. Been waiting to get job at google for long time. Workplace looks very smart setup.
ReplyDeleteHi Justin,
ReplyDeleteI prefer an open-office layout... Being able to have a quick conversation without having to get up and walk across the room is a very underrated benefit
That doesn't take into consideration the detriment it may have on those needlessly disturbed by the conversation.
If the development and product delivery life-cycle period is in short term, Open-Office seems more acceptable.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, tasks about development/testing come with the person to everywhere who goes to.
Best test cases or development solutions do not come to mind at the office every time. I think Google recognized this issue and Google Offices're designed "Feel like at home" Style.
In addition, the red colored carpets and furniture make me suspicious when i read this news :) http://www.omg-facts.com/Science/The-Color-Red-Is-Scientifically-Proven-T/13980?lp=1.
Looks crowded, seems like you sit on top of each other...
ReplyDeleteAnkit,
ReplyDelete_Test team must operate separately to avoid development team influence._
But if the teams operate separately, you also reduce the testing teams' influence on the development team.
There are many different opinions surrounding layout styles when planning an office. Many tech companies and start-ups have embraced open-office layouts with endless varieties of desk, chair, and work station arrangements. Research supports that open-office layouts and communal areas promote idea sharing, however I think the line of business as well as the specific workflow dictates the optimal office layout. Some projects/processes thrive off of collaboration while others demand focus and solitude. For example, the accounting department would be better served in segmented workstations while UI/UX teams will flourish in an open-office layout that facilitates idea sharing. Before arranging or re-arranging an office, it's key to consider how the layout will impact productivity and efficiency. This determination can best be achieved by reaching out to teams for feedback, as you mentioned in your second paragraph with Google's bottom-up approach to innovation.
ReplyDeleteI like the section about what the people have on their desks... When I remember the long discussions at our place about the costs of larger screens and newer PCs versus the saved handling and compilation times *rolleyes*
ReplyDeleteNevertheless as an embedded systems engineer I wonder if such an open office concept as you have it at most google places would work for people like me with all the stuff on our desks (prototype boards, power supply, measurement equipment asf.)
Is it the same for the guys doing Android and Chrome OS where the have to test on a pile of hardware?
It's strange to see how the warehousing of software developers is a great step forward in ergonomics. Companies short of space (e.g., big aerospace firms) have frequently resorted to taking a huge empty building and filling it with desks for engineers, etc.; this was related to me as a horror story, though. That approach yields too much noise, too many distractions and a general feeling of being a teeny, tiny replaceable cog in a giant soulless machine. Computer labs at universities also employ this expediency, although in this case it's more like an office with open seating; again it's like the computer users are barely tolerated clients. Maybe that's what folks get accustomed to as students but it sure seems a long ways from optimal. With current collaboration tools there's no reason you can't have intentional collaboration and with private offices it can be accomplished without inflicting it on everyone in hearing range. There's a time for brainstorming and much more frequently a time for intense focus.
ReplyDelete