Joining a new development team is a pivotal stage. The first three months are a period of intense observation, learning, and integration, where every action and interaction shapes the perception of your future contribution. These 90 days are your chance to make a positive impression and build solid foundations for a successful career within this new structure. To help you navigate this crucial phase, here are five essential strategies to help you stand out from the start.
1. Rapid immersion: knowledge is your best ally
In the initial days, an eagerness to learn must be your main driving force. Immerse yourself in the team culture, the established processes, and the company’s priority objectives. Who are the key players? How are decisions made? What are the current projects and the challenges involved? To get this vital information, initiate “listening tours” during your first two to three weeks. Engage in conversations with your colleagues, ask relevant questions, and absorb as much information as possible. This proactive approach will allow you to quickly align your actions with the team’s actual needs and gain credibility.
2. Small wins, major impact: demonstrate your technical agility
There’s no need to revolutionise the system as soon as you arrive. Concentrate on identifying quick and tangible improvements. Automating a repetitive task, optimising an existing tool, or streamlining a workflow can have a significant impact on the team’s efficiency. These “small wins” provide concrete proof of your commitment and technical competence. They bolster your credibility with your peers and demonstrate your ability to add immediate value.
3. Prioritise the urgent: become the problem solver
Quickly seek to identify the major friction points within the team. Are there critical bugs hindering production? Inefficient processes slowing down progress? By positioning yourself as the person capable of diagnosing and resolving these urgent problems, you establish yourself as a reliable and indispensable team member. Your ability to provide concrete solutions to the challenges faced will reinforce your image as a proactive, results-oriented developer.
4. Clear and open communication: the cornerstone of collaboration
In the world of development, technical skill isn’t enough. A good developer is, above all, an excellent collaborator. Adopt transparent communication and don’t hesitate to explain your actions and the reasoning behind your technical choices. Involve your team in your decisions, seek their input, and be receptive to feedback. This open and honest communication fosters a climate of mutual trust, essential for successful integration and productive teamwork in the long run.
5. Respect the legacy: build on existing foundations
Even if your fresh perspective identifies areas for improvement, refrain from hasty criticism of the work done before you arrived. Adopt a constructive approach, acknowledging and valuing past efforts. Seek to understand the logic behind previous choices before proposing changes. Focus on how to optimise what already exists rather than questioning everything. This respectful and positive attitude fosters better acceptance of your ideas and ensures smoother collaboration and more lasting results.
When applied, the conclusion is a successful start and a promising future. Approaching your first 90 days with a clear strategy and a proactive attitude is an essential investment in your future within the new team. By focusing on rapid learning, small wins, resolving urgent issues, effective communication, and respecting existing work, you will maximise your chances of success and lay the groundwork for a significant and lasting contribution. Remember, these first few months are your opportunity to prove your value and become a key member of the team.
