D&D Strategies for Software Excellence

Summary

Although developing software and playing D&D seem like very different beasts (especially when druids are involved) there are actually a lot of lessons to be learned from Dungeons & Dragons. I’ll cover principles from D&D that can be applied to enhance software development practices. Just as skilled players strategize to achieve critical hits in combat scenarios, software developers can utilize similar tactics to achieve excellence in their coding endeavors. Similarly, a DM needs to care about the player experience for a fun game just as developers need to care about end users and the developer experience of their team. Drawing parallels between character building, party dynamics, and quest completion in D&D, I’ll delve into practical strategies for optimizing coding workflows, fostering collaboration within development teams, and navigating challenges effectively. Whether you're a seasoned developer or a novice adventurer, this talk offers valuable lessons for achieving critical hits in coding and attaining software excellence. There will also be plenty of D&D jokes and puns!

About

LaraconUS is a Laravel conference that is takes place in the US, and was in Dallas this time. This was a 30 minute talk that that covers how Dungeons and Dragons and even just hobbies in general can make us better developers. Watch or listen to my talk here!