[jbay808]

It's very hard to align an explicit incentive scheme with the outcome that you actually want.

In this case, you'll get your features, but they very likely won't be bug-free. They'll probably be quite slow and fragile. They might not scale. They might not be well thought-out. They might break backwards compatibility, or break other features that your customers are already using.

In other words, why wouldn't a developer borrow limitless technical debt in order to claim the bounty as fast as possible and move on to their next bounty?

[marcinzm]

Especially since the developer will likely be at a new company or team in 1-2 years.

[astrobe_]

Because I am talking about programmers, not about mercenary-developers.

[jbay808]

Then what change in behaviour were you expecting your incentive scheme to result in?

[astrobe_]

The "scheme" a) draws from gamification b) prevents the sometimes hostile reception of the use of metrics c) reinforces the feedback loop. Positive perception leads to positive behavior.

[bluefirebrand]

Of course. No true programmer would be motivated by reward to produce shoddy work.