developer_levels.md

Entry

• Passion
  • Wants to learn
  • Eager to learn
• Aptitude
  • Can learn a new language with little help
• Understands basics to a Language
  • Language comprehension
  • Understanding of programming languages and compilers
  • Knows language syntax
  • Competent in at least one language - able to complete a story
  • Able to follow instructions without hand holding
  • Conversant on basic software organization, algorithms, and data structures
  • Can create an array
  • Can create a string
  • Can write working code
  • Understands language constructs
• Can navigate tools
  • Good problem solving
  • Basic IDE understanding
  • No need for tool specific knowledge

Mid/Jr

• Work independently
  • Codes what is asked of them
  • Able to lead a story to completion when pairing
  • Competent in more than 1 language
  • Shipped a project
  • Able to follow along with a stronger developer
• Professionalism
• Can write a test
• Beginnings of design
  • UML for white board discussions
  • OO Design Patterns
  • Fundamental understanding of principles of software design
  • Understanding of design/architecture change impacts
  • Drives local design
  • Understands code idioms
  • Understands SOLID design principles
• Problem Solvinng
  • Thinks through complex problems
  • Can work and solve problems with minimal direction
• Pair Leadership
  • Mid-level pair leaders
• Continued Self Education
  • Keeps up on Tech
  • Familiar with several frameworks and technologies and can explain strengths and weaknesses
  • Reads and follows external resources in the community
  • Open to new methodologies

Senior

• Understands cost/benefit
  • Can professionally push back on bad requirements and offer alternatives
• Tech Leadership
  • Get a basic understanding of new technology as needed
• Mentoring
  • Helps teach design and syntax to new developers
• Drives change
• Abstract Problem Solving
• Testing
  • Can write tests with no guidance
  • Understands different testing approaches
• Breadth of project types
• Design/Architecture
  • Can recognize trade offs in design
  • Helps discover what to build
  • Understands proper pattern use
  • Understands SOLID, YAGNI, Demeter, etc.
  • Helps others discover architecture
  • Drive choices to minimize futre pain in change
  • Can view the system as a whole and know where lines can be separated
• Leadership
  • Able to lead an entire software project life cycle
• Complete Systems
  • Can write complex systems alone