RDEL #75: How do interruptions impact different software engineering activities?

Overview
This article examines how interruptions influence various software engineering activities, from coding and code review to design discussions and meetings. It summarizes recent research showing that task complexity determines interruption impact and reveals a gap between engineers' perceived disruption and physiological measurements.

Key Takeaways

• Complex tasks such as deep coding work are more vulnerable to performance loss after an interruption.
• Simpler or routine activities recover more quickly and are less affected.
• Engineers often underestimate the true cost of interruptions, as physiological data shows higher stress levels than perceived.
• Implementing focused work blocks and protected time can mitigate negative effects.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering managers seeking to improve team productivity.
• Technical leads designing work processes.
• Individual engineers aiming to manage interruptions.
• Researchers interested in human factors in software development.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• No specific framework is introduced; the article references general productivity and interruption management practices.