Developers can learn a thing or two from comedians

I recently discovered a pandemic era podcast by comedian and storyteller, Mike Birbiglia. You may know him from his Netflix specials or heard his stories on the radio show, This American Life. The podcast is called Working It Out.

The premise of the podcast is simple: Mike and his guest bring an unfinished joke or a draft story and work it out together on the podcast. So far, my favorite guests have been Ira Glass, John Mulaney, and David Sedaris.

A lot of work goes into creating that laugh out joke or that tear jerking story. Comedians and storytellers make it sound so effortless. Listening to the podcast, you can a peek at their work behind the scenes.

What do comedians have to do with software developers? Both are creative folks and the success of their craft depends on how they connect with their audience or users. I recognize several similarities in the actions to create a simple joke or story and what it takes to build a beautiful and easy to use product.

• Comedians rearrange the story for maximum effect. Land the punchline! Bring them to tears! Call to Action!
  Developers start by clarifying the end goal: when done, what does success look like? Forget about the detailed requirements, what are the key acceptance criteria? What is the Job-to-be-Done (JTBD)? What is our punchline?