Why We Should Pay Greater Attention to Developer Experience (DevX)
Tags: webdev, programming, development, computerscience
Published: 2023-10-30 01:11:37

> I am Denis Davydov, a software engineer with over 10 years of experience working in such tech and fintech giants as Meta, Amazon, Tinkoff and Vivid Money. Part of that journey I spent accomplishing the responsibilities of an engineering manager, which essentially means that I have been hiring, scaling and training teams of developers and their leaders. At some point, the everlasting process of working on both the developing process internals and externals prompted me to take a closer look at what is developer experience in general. During the last few decades, the definition became a stable one, and now Developer Experience, or DevX, is a separate area to scrutinise and enhance.
 

In this article, we explore the compelling case for investing in DevX, analysing how prioritising this aspect of development can offer a competitive edge, attract top talent, enhance efficiency, and ensure long-term scalability while emphasising why such investments are now more crucial than ever in the existing technological landscape.


## Back to the Fundamentals: What is DevX And Why Investments Are Stressed

DevX encompasses a comprehensive set of tools, documentation, support, and processes designed to empower developers and streamline their workflows. Its significance extends far beyond coding, influencing the efficiency of software development, the satisfaction of developers and end-users, and ultimately, the bottom line of businesses in the tech industry.


> As some compare (and I think it is great for understanding a relatively new phenomenon), DevX is akin to UX, or user experience — the difference is that DevX lies on the reverse side of everything that users benefit from.
 


Investing in DevX, therefore, is not merely a matter of convenience. In a world where software development cycles are becoming increasingly rapid, a positive DevX can be the driving force behind accelerated product development, reduced time-to-market, and heightened overall quality. Moreover, it plays a pivotal role in attracting and retaining top talent in the highly competitive tech job market. Developers who find themselves equipped with the right tools, clear documentation, and responsive support are more likely to be productive, motivated, and satisfied in their roles. Conversely, the lack of work towards revisions in terms of DevX can greatly affect the incentives and results.


## Developer And Customer Satisfaction
First and foremost, the synergy between the developer and customer satisfaction lies at the heart of investing in DevX. DevX's profound impact on developer satisfaction and productivity cannot be overstated, as is already evident. The elevated level of developers’ satisfaction not only leads to reduced turnover but also promotes a culture of innovation, as motivated developers are more likely to experiment and push the boundaries of what's possible in software development.


Consider the case of Plaid, a prominent player in the financial technology sector, recognising the critical importance of DevX in optimising its operations. At some point, with a substantial engineering team supporting a vast developer customer base, they faced scaling challenges that needed innovative solutions. Plaid's Developer Efficiency Team embarked on a journey to enhance their DevX by creating "Devenv," an internal CLI tool supported by a remote environment. This strategic investment revolutionised their development process, allowing for a seamless transition from local Docker to Remote Devenv and eventually to Remote Syncing Devenv. Devenv's success is evident in its widespread adoption, powering over 150 services and receiving thousands of daily invocations from developers and CI systems alike. As Plaid continues to explore cutting-edge solutions, such as a transition to a shared Kubernetes cluster, its commitment to improving DevX is evident.


## Business Benefits

One of the imperative reasons to invest in DevX is the distinct advantage it can provide for the business that gravitates to it. Companies that prioritise DevX find themselves better positioned to deliver superior products and services faster than their competitors, and that is not a surprise if we break it up into cause and effect. 

That’s why, furthermore, DevX investments have proven invaluable in attracting and retaining top talent. A positive DevX fosters a supportive environment, minimising developer turnover and recruitment costs while ensuring that the best and brightest in the field choose to stay and contribute their expertise. At the end of the day, it can contribute to reducing the onboarding time, which, in the cases of delay, is as crucial as interruptions during the working process. As we explore the business case for investing in DevX, these examples illustrate the tangible benefits that come with this strategic focus, making it a crucial consideration for any tech-driven enterprise.


## Long-Term Benefits and Avoiding Technical Debt

While the immediate benefits of investing in DevX, such as increased productivity, are clear, the long-term implications are much deeper. As we have already found out, enhanced DevX means streamlined processes. Over time, this reduces the chance of errors, minimises rework, and ensures that the software and systems developed are robust and efficient.

On the other side of the coin is the technical debt. Technical debt refers to the future costs incurred due to shortcuts or non-optimal decisions made today. Without a strong emphasis on DevX, developers might use band-aid solutions that work for now but that might cause problems later. Investing in DevX is a proactive approach to reducing technical debt — it provides developers with the right tools and practices from the outset, ensuring the health of the systems they built.


## Summing Up…

The shift from viewing the tech sphere merely as a cost to recognising it as a value generator has heightened the emphasis on DevEx, with companies across diverse sectors realising that software mastery is a defining competitive edge. By taking a developer-centric approach, from understanding their journey to creating a conducive culture, businesses don't just enhance productivity but catalyse their broader objectives.

The attention to the way developers do their work and how certain factors influence this is still quite a young practice. To say that this should not be treated critically is an understatement: Once agreed to invest and further implement DevX, each business must develop a unique set of practices most suitable for its case, so it does not jeopardise the success and level of performance already achieved. Nevertheless, taking all this into account, DevX is still worth paying attention to now if you want to prosper down the line. After all, developers are the driving force behind your tech business.