How Tech Leaders Deliver Quality Code on Time

Some areas are critical, but others just need to get the job done. Spending extra time on non-critical code wastes effort.

Here’s what to do:

• Before starting, clarify with your team which areas are critical and which aren’t.
• Focus on critical parts of the project—features or systems that directly affect users or business goals.
• Keep low-priority areas simple and functional. If needed, add a ticket to the backlog for future clean-up to avoid wasting time now.

Stakeholders and managers care about outcomes, not perfect code. They need to know the trade-offs you’re making to meet deadlines, to avoid surprises later.

Here’s what to do:

• If you’re skipping a step to meet a deadline—like a refactoring or writing full tests—document it clearly. For example, write: “Refactor skipped for now. Address in Ticket 1024”
• Proactively share the impact of any compromises, such as potential maintenance issues or increased testing time.

The earlier you communicate these trade-offs, the fewer surprises there will be down the road.

Relying on manual processes like testing or code reviews slows you down and increases the chance of errors. Automating these tasks ensures consistency and saves valuable time.

Here’s what to do:

• Set up automated tests for core functionalities, such as API endpoints, database operations, or user workflows.
• Use linters and static analysis tools (e.g., ESLint, SonarQube) to catch minor issues early before reviews.
• Implement CI/CD pipelines to automate builds, tests, and deployments.
• Use Git hooks to automatically run unit tests and linters before every commit. This ensures only reliable code gets pushed.

You don’t need to build every feature in full right away. Start small, release early, and improve later. This way, you deliver value without overloading yourself.

Here’s what to do:

• Break features into the smallest parts that deliver value. Ship those first.
• Use feature flags or toggles to safely release partially completed work without affecting users.
• Plan follow-up tickets to improve or expand functionality in future sprints.

You can’t deliver quality work if you’re constantly working late or skipping breaks. Protect your time and energy by setting clear boundaries.

Here’s what to do:

• Set a hard cut-off time for work (e.g., 6 PM) and stick to it. Block that time on your calendar to avoid interruptions.
• Use breaks to reset your focus. A 5-minute pause every 25 minutes (like with the Pomodoro method) works wonders.
• If you feel that the workload is unsustainable, talk to your manager about the situation and get non-urgent tasks moved to the next sprint.

Balancing code quality with deadlines doesn’t mean overworking or cutting corners. By prioritizing critical work, automating tasks, building incrementally, and protecting your time, you can deliver great results without burning out.

Feel like you’re always racing the clock? Share this guide with your team and start making simple changes today.

Cheers,
Gábor