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Dungeons and Developers: Uniting Experience Levels in Engineering Teams by Chantelle Isaacs Join us in “Dungeons and Developers,” a unique exploration of team dynamics through the lens of Dungeons & Dragons. Discover how the roles and skills in D&D can enlighten the way we build, manage, and nurture diverse engineering teams. Whether you’re a manager aiming to construct a formidable team (Constitution) or an individual seeking to self-assess and advance your career (Charisma), this talk will guide you in leveraging technical and transferable talents. Together we’ll identify your developer archetype and complete a 'Developer Character Sheet'—our tool for highlighting abilities, proficiencies, and alignment in a fun, D&D-inspired format. Developers and managers alike will leave this talk with a newfound appreciation for the varied skills and talents each person brings to the table.
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In the talk titled "Dungeons and Developers: Uniting Experience Levels in Engineering Teams" delivered by Chantelle Isaacs at RailsConf 2024, the central theme revolves around leveraging the collaborative aspects of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) as a metaphor for fostering diverse engineering teams. Isaacs emphasizes the importance of collaboration, diverse perspectives, and the roles individuals play in a team just as characters do in D&D. She introduces several key points throughout her presentation: - **D&D as a Framework**: Isaacs relates the roles in D&D to the dynamics in engineering teams, illustrating how diverse backgrounds contribute to problem-solving and innovation. - **Team Dynamics**: Highlighting the need for varied skills within development teams, she correlates different engineering roles with D&D character classes (e.g., back-end developers as Wizards, front-end developers as Sorcerers). - **Self-Assessment**: The use of a 'Developer Character Sheet' is introduced as a tool for attendees to assess their skills, backgrounds, and roles. Attendees are encouraged to reflect on their individual contributions while recognizing the necessity of teamwork. - **Experience Levels**: Isaacs challenges traditional measures of experience by stating that levels in a tech context should not only indicate years but also skills and contributions from diverse experiences. - **Collaboration & Growth**: The discussion extends to the concept of evaluating team dynamics to identify areas for professional growth and mentorship opportunities. - **Culture Fit vs. Culture Add**: She promotes the idea of adding fresh perspectives to teams to enhance creativity and adaptability. Throughout the presentation, Isaacs engages the audience with hands-on activities, prompting them to identify their roles and skills in a fun, illustrative manner. She concludes the talk by encouraging developers and managers alike to appreciate the unique strengths each person brings to the table, reinforcing that a diverse team leads to better solutions and innovation. The key takeaway emphasizes assembling a well-rounded team that not only complements technical skills but also fosters collaboration and diverse perspectives to navigate the challenges within the tech landscape.
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