The Joel Test: 12 Steps to Better Code

Joel Spolsky's Joel Test provides a rapid evaluation of software development team practices through 12 simple yes/no questions covering source control, one-step builds, daily builds, bug databases, fixing bugs before new features, up-to-date schedules, specs, quiet working conditions, best tools, testers, coding interviews, and hallway usability testing. The test's power lies in its simplicity—'it's easy to get a quick yes or no to each question'—while identifying critical productivity and quality issues. Scoring is straightforward: 12 points is perfect, 11 is tolerable, and 10 or lower indicates serious problems. Spolsky notes that 'most software organizations are running with a score of 2 or 3' while companies like Microsoft achieve 12. Engineering leaders will learn that these aren't arbitrary requirements but practical, implementable practices that distinguish high-performing teams from struggling ones, focusing on process discipline, tool investment, and team dynamics that directly impact software quality and delivery speed.