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Crab on the beach, photo by Felipe Portella How to Deal with Crabby Coworkers

We've all had to deal with crabby coworkers—the people who have good technical skills but are a pain to work with. They grouse, gripe, and are generally negative. Luckily, there are more things you can do than just hope you don't have to interact with these people. Here are tips for dealing with your crabby coworkers.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
Cover of the Summer 2018 issue of Better Software magazine What's in the Summer 2018 Issue of Better Software Magazine

For twenty years now, Better Software magazine has published articles offering helpful tips and techniques for those in the software industry. The new issue celebrates those two decades of knowledge-sharing—and, of course, gives you more ideas. Articles this issue focus on leadership and software quality.

Ken Whitaker's picture
Ken Whitaker
Person about to slip on a banana peel 3 Mistakes Teams Make When Choosing a ScrumMaster

One cause of agile project failure is choosing the wrong person as your ScrumMaster. While a bad ScrumMaster is a problem for any team, it is particularly bad for teams new to agile, as the team won’t know they are being led down the wrong path. Here are three mistakes organizations make when choosing a ScrumMaster.

Jeffery Payne's picture
Jeffery Payne
GEDI May the Forest Be with You: A New GEDI Laser Is Coming

There’s a new laser device coming to the galaxy this fall that will be good for the forests here on Earth. NASA’s Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation Lidar (GEDI) will be the first space-borne laser designed to map the world's forests in 3-D to help us study and understand forest changes.

Pamela Rentz's picture
Pamela Rentz
A software professional about to sign a contract Be Careful What You Ask For: Contract Considerations for New Projects

In a new project, there are always going to be challenges and delays, and when the end date is looming, you may be tempted to rush through the contracting and procurement process. But that can have dire consequences down the line if roles, responsibilities, and expectations aren't clear. Take the time to communicate.

Payson Hall's picture
Payson Hall
Calendar showing some already missed deadlines The Normalization of Deviance Could Be Hurting Your Team

Normalization of deviance refers to becoming blasé about counterproductive behavior or activities. The concept applies to processes that become ingrained in a team even though they contribute to negative outcomes, such as slipping deadlines. Employees become so accustomed to the deviance that, to them, it seems normal.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten