Productivity tips for Game Developers

Robert Barkley -YelKrab Studios

The key to running a successful business, regardless of the sector that you are in, is working efficiently. The problem is that knowing how to do that isn’t always easy. As a software developer, time really is of the essence, which is why it’s so crucial that you are aware of how to work in a productive manner, to maximise your time and work in an efficient way.

While completing tasks promptly is vital as a software developer, that is not to say that you should let the quality of your work suffer. The fact is that if you want to ensure that you complete your work quickly but without impacting the quality of it, then working in a productive manner is key.

Bearing that in mind, the question is, what are all the best productivity hacks for software developers?

Write a daily to-do list 

When you are trying to work in a productive manner, the last thing that you want is to not know where to start. This can severely impact your productivity. Each morning, write a to-do list of the tasks that you would like to complete so that you always have something to focus on. Aim to put the most complex task at the top of the list, as often we get into the habit of putting complex tasks off, but if you do them first then once they are completed, you can relax. Say, you need to use Time Machine services to test part of your application, to see how well it will run, but know that this will be a time-consuming task. Instead, of putting it off, ensure that it is at the top of your to-do list. 

Avoid multitasking 

There is a common misconception that multitasking means that you will get more work done. However, that isn’t the case. The fact is that actually, multitasking can impact your ability to work in a productive way. Swapping from task to task means that you will lose your focus and may end up struggling to get everything done, as stress caused by trying to do too much at once, may send your mind into overdrive. 

Minimise distractions

When creating a piece of software, the last thing that you need is distractions. Distractions will not only slow down your work but may also cause you to make mistakes. Developing pieces of software may not mean that you have to stare at your screen constantly, but it pays to be focused and in the zone, as that way you will be able to complete the task at hand more quickly and effectively. Even taking the time to read or answer an email will have an impact on your productivity. The fact is that switching from task to task, ends up making each task longer than it would usually be, which is why minimising distractions is so vital. 

The fact is that in every industry productivity is vital. However, in the software development industry, it’s more crucial than ever, as tasks are time-consuming and require a lot of focus.