Developing software can be very serious, but it can also be fun. There are many examples of software development fun, ranging from the jokes that software developers play on each other, to the software developer memes that are often used on Kanban boards to break the tension of the work.
A good software development meme combines a well-known image with a caption that plays on a phrase used in software development. This means that most software developer memes are only funny if you are a software developer, because if you don’t understand the phrase as used in software development, then you won’t get the joke. For example, an image of the wizard from the film ‘Lord of the Rings’ is pretty well known. If you add a laptop, and the phrase ‘The wizard will now install your software,’ you have a perfect software development meme that helps to provide software development fun.
How many Software Developers does it take to Change a Lightbulb?
Most software developers are light-hearted by nature, and like breaking the rules and being just a bit different. They like challenges such as puzzles and problem solving and love technology. By using a bit of thought, managers of software development teams can harness these qualities to make software development fun. One way is to harvest and re-use software developer jokes in team meetings. For example, there is a range of jokes that go ‘how many xxx does it take to change a lightbulb?’, where xxx is a profession. These need some knowledge of that profession to make them funny. For example, the joke ‘How many surrealists does it take to change a lightbulb? ‘Answer: A fish!’, relies on the listener knowing that surrealists attempt to change the nature of something well known into something that releases the creative potential of the unconscious mind. The software development joke on these lines goes: ‘How many software developers does it take to change a lightbulb?’. ‘Answer: None, it’s a hardware fault!’. This example of software development fun requires the listener to understand the difference between hardware and software, and that different teams deal with their maintenance. Every software developer will know this, so this software developer joke will resonate with them and help them to build a strong team spirit and alignment with the culture of developing software.
Building Stronger Development Teams using Humour
Using software developer memes, software development memes, and software development jokes are good ways to make software development fun. These can help to build and retain strong teams that can brave the high pressures associated with software delivery sprints, and find innovative solutions with limited resources. Typically, software developers are independent and forceful characters who are concise and to the point, but sometimes blunt. They are also commonly introverts, but with the right culture can bring a wealth of insights and technical aptitude to any team. Some of the team will be extroverts who enjoy reaching out and checking on how the rest of the team is doing. The challenge for any manager is to find the best balance of fun and hard work to maximize the productivity and enjoyment of creating software. Software development fun can also be used to smooth out tensions between individuals in the team, and between the software developers and other teams.
Summary:
Software Development Fun
There are many examples of software development fun, ranging from the jokes that software developers play on each other, to the software developer memes that are often used on Kanban boards to break the tension of the work. A good software development meme combines a well-known image with a caption that plays on a phrase used in software development. This means that most software developer memes are only funny if you are a software developer, because if you don’t understand the phrase as used in software development, then you won’t get the joke.
