Follow up: internal tools team with nothing to do

Follow up: internal tools team with nothing to do

Follow Up: Internal Tools Team with Nothing to Do

A while back, I wrote about how my team, dedicated to internal tools and developer experience, found ourselves in a perplexing situation: we had been left without any work to do for over three months.

The Context

As an internal tools/platform team, we were expected to enhance the developer experience within our organization. However, we quickly realized that we were operating without a clear agenda, a product manager, or even a way to track and prioritize our work. We were caught in a bizarre loop where we couldn’t make commits to our codebase without JIRA tickets—allegedly a requirement for ISO 27001 compliance. Yet, we couldn’t create tickets without a board, and no one seemed willing to set one up for us.

The absurdity of our situation was palpable. We were effectively paralyzed, unable to contribute meaningfully to the organization.

What Happened Next

In search of fulfillment, I transferred to a different team. Unfortunately, that experience turned out to be a forced march through extreme programming practices, where pair programming felt more like a chain gang than a collaborative effort. The project was an e-commerce initiative that further complicated my experience. Frustrated by the political games and condescending treatment, I ultimately decided to leave for a new job, which came with a 50% salary increase.

Reflecting on my former team, I now see that they remain in the same position—still lacking tickets and direction. In hindsight, I should have taken the opportunity to learn Rust during that idle time, but I was eager to escape a dysfunctional environment.

Lessons Learned

This experience has imparted several key lessons:

  1. Dysfunction is Common: It’s crucial to recognize that many organizations suffer from dysfunction. Attempting to fix these systemic issues often feels like pushing water uphill. Sometimes, the best course of action is to invest in yourself and bide your time until management figures things out.

  2. Navigating Career Transitions: Some of the advice I received was to flee at the first sign of trouble. However, I later realized that there was no grand conspiracy to dismantle the team—just poor management. In many cases, the ebb and flow of company dynamics can explain situations like mine. Without clear red flags, such as multiple layoffs or vague management communication, the instinct to “run” can lead to rash decisions.

  3. The Job Market Reality: As one commenter noted, the current economic climate makes it particularly precarious to be part of a team with zero output. When companies begin to cut costs, teams lacking productivity are often the first on the chopping block. Therefore, having a new opportunity in hand is far preferable to risking a layoff on the company’s terms.

Community Insights

The responses from readers showcased a range of experiences and perspectives:

  • Dysfunction in the Workplace: Many echoed my sentiments about working in dysfunctional teams where productivity was stifled. The common thread was a lack of direction and the frustration of being unable to take initiative without facing repercussions.

  • The Perils of Job Hopping: Several commenters shared their experiences of leaving jobs due to similar circumstances, only to end up in worse situations. This highlights the importance of carefully considering the implications of each career move and the potential long-term effects on one’s resume.

  • The Value of Learning: A few individuals noted that while having time to learn new skills (such as Rust) is beneficial, a significant salary increase can be a game-changer, reinforcing the notion that personal growth should align with financial stability.

Conclusion

In the end, my experience serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in the tech industry. While it’s easy to assume the worst in a troubling situation, a more measured approach often yields better outcomes. The key takeaway is to focus on personal growth, remain patient amidst organizational chaos, and recognize when it’s time to advocate for oneself or seek new opportunities.

As we navigate our careers, let’s strive to foster healthier work environments and support one another in overcoming the challenges that arise in our professional journeys.

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