Looking to hire the best remote developers? Arc can help you:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u26a1\ufe0f Get instant candidate matches without searching Try Arc to hire top developers now \u2192<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Good time management enables you to get quality work done while using your time effectively. It\u2019s the result of a combination of different skills \u2014 that\u2019s why it\u2019s hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is a list of the five core skills you need to master to get good at managing your time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not knowing how to manage your time as a software developer can have a negative impact on the success of your projects. It can also seriously hamper your career growth, whether you remain in software development or switch careers down the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And, if you’re wondering how to get into software engineering<\/a>, we can’t stress the importance of time management enough!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read More<\/strong>: 12 Common Mistakes Keeping You From Landing Your First Developer Job<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a bunch of different activities related to software development that rely on good time management skills \u2014 not just coding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the beginning of an important task or project, you need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you start coding, you have to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019re done coding, you might be asked to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n All of these activities (and many more) require you to have a good time management system so you can deliver high-quality work and meet deadlines. You\u2019ll even have less work to do because you\u2019ll eliminate throwaway work and minimize the amount of rework!<\/p>\n\n\n\n On top of that, remote work brings its own challenges into the mix. With more autonomy (read: no one physically looking over your shoulder), you’ll have to learn how to manage your own time best to deliver the results your CTO or Head of Engineering expect!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read More<\/strong>: Use Social Media Thought Leadership To Level Up Your Developer Career<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Maintaining communication and good relationships with all individuals impacted by the project you\u2019re working on is called stakeholder management<\/em>. This includes handling ongoing requests, collecting feedback and managing expectations as to what can be delivered and when.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When requirements increase throughout the lifecycle of the project, it can be referred to as scope creep<\/em>. It could be due to new information coming in, changing requirements, miscommunication of original requirements, or technical challenges. Most projects have a change management process<\/a> for addressing scope creep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The critical path<\/em> is the minimum time required to complete a project. All tasks are ordered sequentially and dependencies mapped with the longest path to project completion identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The critical chain<\/em> is the critical path with resource availability and capacity constraints taken into consideration \u2014 an improvement of the critical path. The critical chain is usually longer than the critical path because of this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fast-tracking is when you perform tasks in parallel that would\u2019ve otherwise been performed sequentially. This is only possible if those tasks can be overlapped due to resource availability and there are no dependencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oftentimes, resources (e.g. developers or quality assurance analysts) are shared across multiple projects. This could be either because full-time resources aren\u2019t available or a project doesn\u2019t require a full-time resource for a specific type of expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, a project with predominantly more front-end development work may only require a back-end developer at 50% capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read More<\/strong>: How to REALLY Get a Job as a Self-Taught Developer (6 Important Tips)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n Arc is the best place to find great remote jobs. Find great remote jobs at top startups and tech companies. Freelance and full-time remote opportunities are available. Simply setting goals makes you more effective in achieving those goals because it forces you to visualize the outcomes. From there, you\u2019re able to see more clearly what you need to add to your to-do list, what obstacles you might run into and how you should allocate time to be successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A simple to-do list has no priority system, which can lead to productive procrastination where you ignore tasks that are most important or most valuable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ABCD method forces you to ignore your least important tasks by grouping all tasks into five categories using a priority matrix:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Eisenhower matrix is a tool for decision-making that involves categorizing all your tasks into four buckets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80:20 rule, dictates that 20% of your effort contributes to 80% of your results. On the other end, wrapping up that remaining 20% of a project due may require 80% of your effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To save time and maximize impact, focus on tasks that are likely harder but contribute more to your success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read More<\/strong>: How to Stand Out & Get Noticed in Your Current Development Job<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mind mapping goes beyond a linear text-based way of documenting and developing ideas by engaging the brain in a more analytical<\/a> and creative way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You start with your main idea in the middle and develop subtopics that connect to it. Those subtopics can be illustrated using varying sizes to denote their importance. Colors and symbols are often used to represent ideas more visually.<\/p>\n\n\n Essentially a hub-and-spoke model to visualize your thoughts, each node at the end of a spoke may be itself a “sub-hub,” if you will, with further, more specific ideas continuing to branch from there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The GTD technique is based on the fact your brain is for processing information, not storing information. The goal is to spend less time thinking about your task list and more executing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whenever you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed by the tasks in front of you, follow the GTD process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find a detailed overview of how to implement the GTD method here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This technique involves splitting your day into intervals called pomodoros<\/em> (Italian for “tomato”). Each pomodoro is made up of 25 minutes of focus time and a five-minute break. After about four pomodoros, you take a longer break of 15\u200b\u200b\u201330 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The concept of a timer invokes a sense of urgency and encourages fewer distractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When working in an office with many interruptions, some developers are known to wear a certain hat during their focus time<\/a> to signal to teammates they\u2019re not to be interrupted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Timeboxing involves limiting the amount of time you\u2019ll spend on an important task. This makes every minute spent on the task more important and, therefore, more valuable. The practice also minimizes distractions<\/a> because of the limited time available for the task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro tip:<\/strong> Timeboxing is great for development research tasks to avoid going down a rabbit hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read More<\/strong>: Here\u2019s When You Can TRULY Call Yourself a \u201cSenior\u201d Software Developer<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting an 80-hour task to build or implement a third-party integration can feel daunting. But if you break the task down into smaller chunks, not only will those smaller pieces be easier to estimate, but you\u2019ll feel more motivated<\/a> as you complete each small task and see your progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smaller subtasks also make it easier to track your progress with your team and flag issues you run into sooner (e.g. your second subtask taking longer than estimated).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hardest tasks with the biggest unknowns are the most difficult to estimate accurately because of incomplete information. That\u2019s why it\u2019s crucial to get started on them first so you can flag any issues or delays early on in the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you know, the order of development tasks matters. Whether it\u2019s because you can\u2019t complete a certain task before another one or you\u2019re dependent on another developer\u2019s work, you need to know your dependencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be vocal and clear about your tasks\u2019 dependencies so the project can be managed effectively and you don\u2019t waste time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read More<\/strong>: 5 Great Ways to Get Your Profile Noticed as a Software Engineer<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you think you\u2019re good at multitasking, it takes an average of 23 minutes to get back on track after an interruption<\/a>. Multitasking is, essentially, \u201ctask switching\u201d because you\u2019re redirecting your attention from one task to another \u2014 and it can be very damaging to your productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To maximize focus time, block out periods of two to three hours for uninterrupted work.Turn off all email and chat notifications. If you need to check emails and chat notifications, plan disruptive periods of 10\u201315 minutes every few hours to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visibility is extremely important in a project \u2014 especially when working remotely since it\u2019s harder to communicate effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On top of tracking the progress of your tasks on a tool like JIRA, you should also track how closely you\u2019re delivering to your estimates. Do you need to increase your future estimates? Or can you possibly deliver more? This helps flag any delays early in the project and ensures your time is being used effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To save time in transferring knowledge to other developers in the future, create technical documentation explaining what you\u2019ve built and the technical decisions you\u2019ve made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Commenting on your code can help you save time when it comes to fixing bugs in code you wrote a long time ago. It also makes it easier for other developers to troubleshoot your code in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a remote software developer, leaving a paper trail of your work like this makes your code much easier to maintain in the future. This can earn you quality testimonials and better projects the next time around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read More<\/strong>: 9 Important Cross-Cultural Communication Tips for Remote Developers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you find yourself doing a straightforward task more than once, consider writing a script to automate it. Don\u2019t waste time and precious mental energy doing repetitive tasks \u2014 save it for problem-solving<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Retrieving and storing information is a big part of a software developer\u2019s job, especially when collaborating with other developers. Eliminate any unnecessary stress by making it easy to find what you need while you work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goal is to set yourself up to be able to work calmly through complicated problems in times of pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The brain often works through problems in the background. Sometimes a break is exactly what you need to solve a problem. That could be a short walk or even just a good night\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Working for long periods of time can also make it harder to manage your energy levels. It\u2019s better to lose 30 minutes to a walk than to lose a few days (or worse, a few weeks) to burnout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read More<\/strong>: Remote Collaboration: How to Collaborate Effectively as a Remote Dev<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Improving your time management skills requires that you understand where your weaknesses or obstacles are. Only after you acknowledge them can you work to be a more effective time manager!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s take a look at some concrete examples of bad ways and good ways of managing your time as a software developer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bad:<\/strong> You start with a small and simple task made up of a few styling changes and then move on to a large and complex task involving new technology and many unknowns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good:<\/strong> You dive into the large and complex task first and complete a proof-of-concept to eliminate unknowns early in the project before working on the small styling task you know exactly how long it\u2019ll take you to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bad: <\/strong>You end up spending days or weeks learning how to implement a new solution for a project with a tight deadline without communicating with anyone or asking for help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good:<\/strong> You immediately flag the fact you aren\u2019t familiar with the new solution you\u2019re being asked to implement, timebox your initial research to one day, and delegate the most complicated tasks to an experienced colleague.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bad:<\/strong> You switch between coding, responding to messages on Slack, and checking your emails every five to fifteen minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good:<\/strong> You notify your team you\u2019ll be timeboxing three hours to get your most important task done. Then, you turn off all Slack and email notifications during that time to get uninterrupted focus time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bad:<\/strong> You start on a 40-hour task without any view into the subtasks involved and only provide an update once you\u2019ve spent 40 hours on it but haven\u2019t been able to complete it yet or gathered feedback for changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good:<\/strong> You break down the 40-hour task into 5\u201310 small subtasks, track all subtasks in JIRA for visibility and ask for feedback after every subtask. You incorporate changes incrementally and enable the project manager to use fast-tracking if needed to speed up project delivery and meet project deadlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bad:<\/strong> You complete a complex integration task on your own but fail to save any time documenting how it works, the configuration involved, or why you made certain security-related decisions. When you\u2019re later allocated to a new project, you have to work overtime to transfer knowledge to the new developer in charge of maintaining the integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Good:<\/strong> Knowing that you\u2019ll be transitioning to a new project once you finish a complex integration task, you ask for a few extra days on the project to create technical documentation and add comments to your code in order to transition the maintenance to another developer smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read More<\/strong>: Got a Busy Developer Schedule? Here\u2019s How to Keep Learning & Make Time<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether your time management skills are above average or subpar, these tools below are some of the best when it comes to helping developers in managing time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Focus Keeper<\/a> is an Apple-only app for time management that lets you use the pomodoro technique to run and track pomodoros. Each pomodoro interval is called a focus session<\/em> and you can set a daily goal for the number of focus sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n RescueTime<\/a> is a productivity tool that helps you incorporate more focus time into your workday. It\u2019s got a two-week free trial to let you test out the product before committing to the paid plan at $6.50 per month. It also works on both Mac and Windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use RescueTime to set a goal for the amount of focus time in a day and get an automatic account of your day at the end of each day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also a good tool to use to identify which sites most frequently disrupt your focus while working and block them during focus sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other than the fact it\u2019s got an awesome landing page (who doesn\u2019t like a multi-layer cake?), Toggl Track<\/a> is a free tool that lets you track different tasks under multiple projects with a simple timer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is ideal for remote software developers working on multiple projects for different clients. You can sort tasks by project and sort projects by client.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The free version lets you create reports for how much time you spent on each task and project. You can even configure a weekly time report to be sent straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Holopod<\/a> is a relatively new tool specifically designed for minimizing distractions for heavy Slack users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Its core functionality is automatically updating your status on Slack based on what you\u2019re doing \u2014 whether you\u2019re in meetings, on a call, or in the flow<\/em> (not to be interrupted.) It even lets you customize your statuses to show off your personality, which is a nice touch for remote teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, it gives you insights into how you\u2019re spending your day among your different activities so you can figure out how to be more productive<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read More<\/strong>: How to Network: a Guide for Remote Software Developers & Engineers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n You should now know how to manage your time effectively and carefully as a software developer so you can maintain a state of zen while working through complex problems. And, if you’re looking to improve your leadership abilities<\/a>, structuring your time wisely is critical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Occasional times of stress are inevitable, unfortunately. But, if you follow these time management tips and practices and use careful planning and organization, those stressful times shouldn\u2019t plague you too often. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And you\u2019ll be able to focus<\/em> (see what we did there? :wink:) on what you set out to do when you became a software developer \u2014 be creative while building cool stuff!<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s just one surprise bonus tip we wanted to share with you that\u2019s super important:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you solve a really challenging problem or finish a <\/strong>time-consuming task<\/strong>, reward yourself! Go for a walk, have a delicious snack, or take a nap.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve earned it \u2014 especially when you\u2019ve managed your time well. Your brain will thank you once you\u2019re knee-deep in the next task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have any other tips and advice for software engineers looking to improve their time management skills? Any questions or feedback? Let us know in the comments below, and thanks for reading!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also explore HireAI<\/a> to skip the line and:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u26a1\ufe0f Get instant candidate matches without searching <\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/a>Try HireAI and hire top developers now \u2192<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Reduce stress and streamline your workday with this guide on how to improve your time management skills as a remote software developer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":388,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career-growth"],"yoast_head":"\n
\u26a1\ufe0f Identify top applicants from our network of 350,000+
\u26a1\ufe0f Hire 4x faster with vetted candidates (qualified and interview-ready)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat are Time Management Skills?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Which Dev Activities Require Good Time Management?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Important Time Management Concepts to Know<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Stakeholder management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Scope creep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Critical path vs. critical chain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fast-tracking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shared resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"work](\"https:\/\/arc.dev\/talent-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Talent-blog-CTA-banner.png\")
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Sign up here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nTime Management Techniques & Practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Setting goals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The ABCD method<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Eisenhower matrix<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/arc.dev\/talent-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Eisenhower-Matrix-300x300.png\")
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Pareto Principle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mind mapping technique<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"linux](\"https:\/\/arc.dev\/talent-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/linux-mind-map-example.jpg\")
GTD (Getting Things Done) technique<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Pomodoro technique<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arc.dev\/talent-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Pomodoro-Technique.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTimeboxing technique<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Important Tips & Strategies for Improving Time Management Skills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Break large tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Start with the hardest tasks with the biggest unknowns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Know your dependencies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Avoid context-switching at all costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Track your time for the project<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Create technical documentation and leave comments in your code<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Write scripts to automate short & repetitive tasks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Organize files & resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Take frequent breaks, especially when you\u2019re feeling stuck or stressed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bad vs. Good Time Management: 4 Example Scenarios for Software Developers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Example time management scenario #1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Example time management scenario #2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Example time management scenario #3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Example time management scenario #4<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Example time management scenario #5<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Time Management Apps & Tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Focus Keeper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
RescueTime<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Toggl Track<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Holopod for Slack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s a Wrap!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u26a1\ufe0f Identify top applicants from our network of 350,000+ with no manual screening
\u26a1\ufe0f Hire 4x faster with vetted candidates (qualified and interview-ready)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n