I use the Joel test to determine a job’s worthiness, and have been for some time now. However, I’ve never actually applied it to an organization that I’m working for, as if somehow I’m exempt from my own requirements.
Time to end that.
Here’s how my current organization fares on the Joel Test:
- Do you use source control? Yes
- Can you make a build in one step? No. Database changes are still run manually.
- Do you make daily builds? No.
- Do you have a bug database? Yes.
- Do you fix bugs before writing new code? No.
- Do you have an up-to-date schedule? Yes.
- Do you have a spec? Yes.
- Do programmers have quiet working conditions? No.
- Do you use the best tools money can buy? No.
- Do you have testers? Yes.
- Do new candidates write code during their interview?Yes.
- Do you do hallway usability testing? No.
That’s a pretty dismal 6/12. Probably better than a lot of places, but not as good as I’d like.
Since I also have the “George Test” I use, I may as well list my score here:
- How’s the Internet Access? Excellent.
- How much overtime do you expect? None.
- What’s the dress code? Business casual. We do jeans fridays; as if it’s some sort of perk.
- Do you conduct Code Reviews? Brown bag lunches? Hey, that’s two questions, but Yes and Yes.
- How many meetings do you have? One: A daily standup.
- Do you pay for me to attend professional conferences? Don’t know. Haven’t tried it. Will do so next year, though.
When’s the last time you rated your organization according to the Joel test? Isn’t it about time you started?