| There are different skill trees developers can have: 1. Implementation skills: can implement a solution, e.g. knows C++. 2. Problem solving: given a problem, can come up with a solution. "We need an API for X" -> can come up with a design for the API. 3. Identifying problems: can notice problems exist. 4. Teamwork. (Probably other skill trees as well.) Assuming confidence, trust and culture aren't an issue, it may just be the developers you're hiring lack the relevant skills to identify problems. These skills are rarely if ever taught explicitly, so many programmers get by with just implementation skills, or just implementation and problem solving skills. As you realize, though, problem solving and even more so identifying problems are key to productivity (https://codewithoutrules.com/2016/08/25/the-01x-programmer/). Maybe you should consider teaching these skills, or change hiring process to screen for them, or both. |