Software program growth groups have been on a journey over the past a number of years to enhance productiveness. Whether or not that’s by reducing down on the time spent coding by introducing AI-powered coding assistants or implementing collaboration instruments, it’s clear that groups are on a mission to be extra productive.
Nonetheless, that drive for productiveness may very well be making issues worse by introducing extra “grey work” into their processes. Maya Palfreyman, product advertising and marketing director at Quickbase, defines grey work as something that will get in the way in which of your day-to-day job, like chasing down info or folks.
“It’s all of the little stuff that you just would possibly assume takes 5 or 10 minutes right here and there, however you notice as you take a look at the day or the week that all of it provides up and also you’ve spent a number of time doing what you would possibly think about not so significant to the impression you’re making an attempt to drive in your job,” she mentioned on a latest episode of the SD Instances podcast.
Palfreyman leads the corporate’s analysis on grey work, and within the not too long ago launched Quickbase Grey Work Index, it was found that 59% of the 2000+ respondents spend greater than 11 hours per week chasing down info from totally different instruments, a rise from 45% in 2024.
And it’s not simply time spent chasing down info in instruments that contributes to grey work; it’s additionally the time spent ready on info. “You’re sitting there wanting to maneuver on to the following step, however it is advisable see the place the progress is, and also you’re ready on that individual to reply,” she mentioned.
The impact on particular person builders
This wasted time doesn’t simply result in delays, it might additionally impression developer wellbeing as a result of it’s demanding understanding you may have work to do, however not truly with the ability to try this work since you’re ready on info.
Based on Palfreyman, it might result in not having fun with the work as a lot as you may need, doubtlessly resulting in burnout.
“And on the finish of the day, you’re simply not getting as a lot carried out since you’re having to form of undergo all these grey. After I take into consideration grey work, that’s not what I’m measured on. I’m measured on the impression that I drive.”
Factoring grey work into planning
Whereas it will be nice to get rid of grey work completely, that’s not the world we reside in in the present day. Due to this fact, managers ought to actually be factoring this into their planning cycle and the way it impacts deadlines and budgets.
If staff are spending hours of their day on grey work slightly than growth work, that’s going to result in delays.
“If you find yourself making commitments throughout planning, you will need to see, is there grey work that’s going to sluggish us down? Is there grey work that we are able to doubtlessly get rid of to assist meet our objectives in a greater manner? I believe that it tends to catch a number of groups abruptly.”
Key takeaways from the Grey Work Index
That is the third 12 months that Quickbase carried out analysis on grey work, and looking out on the traits year-over-year, staff are literally getting much less productive and power funding is rising.
“That’s the largest takeaway for me, as a result of one thing doesn’t add up,” mentioned Palfreyman. “The truth that these strains are shifting in numerous instructions is fairly attention-grabbing to me.”
The researchers additionally discovered that there’s been constant themes round information fragmentation and silos through the years. Organizations are inquisitive about eliminating these challenges, however are primarily simply doing so by shopping for extra instruments to attempt to resolve the issue.
“These are arduous conversations, and these are large tasks that have to be taken on by way of consolidating software program, eager about how issues join in the suitable manner. However I’m hopeful. Every year I like doing this analysis to see what else we are able to be taught,” mentioned Palfreyman.
