- 73% of software developers have experienced burnout, but time management can help you reduce the amount you work.
- The best methods of time management for developers include planning, managing priorities, and improving communication and documentation.
- 36% of developers are dissatisfied with their work-life balance. Time management improves it.
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How do software engineers/developers manage time?
You might be thinking, “I get everything done – I don't need tips on time management for developers.” Sure, you get it all done. But what if you get MORE done in LESS time? It's a way to work smarter, not harder, even during your busiest weeks. And as a software engineer, you stay busy, which means your time is your most valuable asset. On any given day, you spend your time:- Analyzing coding requirements and writing new or improved code
- Testing software and debugging when necessary
- Identifying dependencies and unknowns
- Planning and prioritizing development work
- Coordinating with stakeholders and collaborating with other developers
- Collaborating on technical documentation and recommending new tools
- Tracking progress, troubleshooting, and managing roadblocks within your code
- Handling urgent tasks, fixing bugs, and transferring knowledge
- Learning new skills
8 best time management tips for developers and software engineers
Time management for software engineers lets you focus on what matters, like friends and family. It really does change everything. Demir and I used to work 80-hour weeks… until we discovered the exact tips I’m about to share with you. They helped us beat burnout, travel, grow our family, AND build a business. All while working just a few hours each week. The best hacks for time management for developers include:- Planning your week ahead of time
- Managing your priorities
- Using time-blocking
- Conducting a time audit
- Keeping good documentation and communication
1. Plan ahead
😵💫Do you often feel exhausted, stressed, or overwhelmed at the end of the workday? I have one question for you. Are you planning your week ahead of time? I’m willing to guess not. But planning ahead is an incredible way to make the most of your time. Trust me – Demir and I have done this for years using our Winning the Week Formula. In just five steps, you can plan out your entire week. They are:- Step one: Reflect on the past week and identify what worked and what didn’t.
- Step two: Set a few weekly goals and break the largest ones into smaller tasks.
- Step three: Prioritize each task using the Champagne Moment exercise.
- Step four: Calendarize your tasks. I’ll show you how here.
- Step five: Reflect and plan for next week accordingly.
2. Manage priorities
As a software engineer, a tool’s usability depends on you. Every task is important! I hear you. But a big part of time management for software engineers is knowing how to prioritize tasks. Doing it well saves time and makes an impact. I find it helpful to approach your tasks with the 80:20 rule in mind: 80% of your results stem from 20% of your efforts. 🔍In other words, focus on the tasks that have the greatest impact on the rest of your week. Creating an Eisenhower Matrix is a great way to determine where that 20% of effort should go. It categorizes your tasks into four categories, ranked by urgency and importance:- Most urgent, most important – Focus on these.
- Least urgent, least important – Minimize or eliminate these if you can.
- Most urgent, least important – Delegate these.
- Least urgent, most important – Schedule for later.
✏️Writing an effective to-do list or using an online task manager can also help.
Around here, we exclusively use Asana, but you could also consider tools like:
3. Use time-blocking
Time-blocking is a great way to improve time management for software developers. Plus, you can use things you already have lying around, like a kitchen or phone timer. 📝You can even gamify your to-do list with a pack of sticky notes. Learn how to play our Sticky Focus Game in this guide. You could also try:- Calendarizing your tasks by setting aside a specific time for each one on your calendar.
- Using the Pomodoro Technique and working in 25-minute intervals before taking a five-minute break.
- Timeboxing, which means dedicating specific amounts of time to a specific task. When the time is up, move on, regardless of whether you've finished. Morgen is great for this and even integrates with other task managers you're using.
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4. Audit your time
It's easy to feel like time slips through your fingers and just… disappears. 💨 And you might think you know how you’re spending it, but I bet you’d be surprised. Why? Because we’re terrible estimators. We need hard data! That’s why I recommend auditing your time. ⏱️Conducting a time audit is simple.- Step one: Choose a time-tracking tool. You could use a pen and paper, an online task manager, or even an Excel spreadsheet.
- Step two: Track your time for two weeks. For the best results, track every hour in half-hour increments.
- Step three: Analyze your results. This kind of deep dive will give you incredible insight into how you spend your time.
- Step four: Change how you spend your time. Identify any “low-hanging fruit” to streamline your calendar and optimize your time.
5. Keep good documentation and communication
💬Sure, being a good communicator can help software developers:- Provide updates to stakeholders
- Explain new ideas or solutions confidently
- Answer questions clearly and effectively
6. Avoid distraction
🤹Most software engineers admit they juggle several different projects at a time. Now, you might think you’re multitasking when you do this, but you’re not. It doesn’t work (or exist)! Instead, you’re context or project switching – and it’s killing your productivity. Think about it. Each time you switch tasks, your brain has to switch gears, too. And it can take up to 25 minutes to reach the same level of productivity you were working with before. As a developer, that’s time you can’t waste! You have to be on high alert. Otherwise, you leave the door open to faulty code, glitches, and bugs. 🪲 So, you have to minimize or avoid distractions altogether. Here are some of my favorite ways to do it:- If you work from home, face your desk away from distractions. 🛑
- Put your phone on Do Not Disturb and hide or silence as many apps as possible. 📵
- Close your office door. If you don’t have an office, wear noise-canceling headphones or put out a sign asking not to be interrupted. 🎧
- Clean your desk. Neat desk, neat mind! 🗑️
- Leave any technology you don’t need in another room to reduce temptation. 👀
- Create a communication policy and only check work-related channels at designated times. This includes emails and instant messages. 📥
7. Automate repetitive tasks
⌨️Studies show that developers spend less than an hour writing code each day. Why? Because they’re drowning in manual tasks like:- Code reviews
- Code formatting
- Testing
- Documentation
- Data migration and handling
- Bug tracking and debugging
- Cody: Sourcegraph's AI coding assistant helps with coding, including writing, fixing, and maintenance. It also integrates with apps like Linear and Notion, which means you can also use non-code context.
- ESLint: This plug-in analyzes code for problems and fixes them automatically. It can be used with or without a framework, and you can create customized rules.
- BroswerStack: This integration includes low-code automation and automates testing for web, mobile apps, and accessibility. It can also be used with tools like GitHub Actions, BitBucket, and Slack.
8. Set boundaries
A lot of people assume that setting boundaries will hold them back. But they don’t – they make for a healthier, more sustainable career. In fact, I consider boundaries an essential part of time management for developers. 📈Boundaries help improve productivity, well-being, job satisfaction, and work-life balance (which 36% of developers are dissatisfied with). And they’re good for your team, too – with boundaries in place, they’ll know exactly what to expect from you and when. So don’t be afraid of the word no! 📚Read more: How to Say No to the Top Time Sucks And remember to take some time for self-care. 🧘 Be intentional about setting aside some time to review, reflect, and recharge. Even a ten-minute break every hour will help you return ready to tackle the rest of your to-do list.Next steps
There you have it! The best tips for better time management for software engineers. Some of these tips take time and practice to master. But if you want to jumpstart your productivity RIGHT NOW, grab our Win the Week worksheet below. It'll help you take control of your schedule in minutes — and is a no-brainer for anyone looking to make the most of time management for developers. Get it here!
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