A Tidy Desk

Question

I know that some developers flourish with a neat and tidy work area while others (myself included) don't mind a build up of chaos as long as work is getting done. It's not that I like a mess, it's just that I prefer to clean when there aren't more pressing matters at hand - usually at the end of a big push or as a way to relieve the mind from thinking about a problem.

So I had the following questions:

• Is there anything definitive about "neat" vs "tidy" programmer work areas? Perhaps a study related to productivity or empirical/anecdotal evidence?
• Does anyone work in an environment where management checks on your work area to make sure you're keeping it clean?

Answer 1

If a cluttered desk indicates a cluttered mind, when does an empty desk tell you?

That said, if my employer measured my performance based upon how tidy my desk was, I'd be surfing the job boards day & night. The only exception is leaving company-confidential stuff out on your desk after leaving for the night - that's a big no-no.

Answer 2

There has been a book written about this. Bottom line is that being messy isn't always bad.

Answer 3

Mine is a big mess of pieces of paper that have scrawled into them curious symbols and patterns that were previously useful in communicating some idea to another developer or myself. I am indeed a messy thinker.

Answer 4

My work area is always a heap, but it's my heap I know where stuff is ;)

Answer 5

I tend to do a big desk tidy at the end of projects. During a project the desk deteriorates with functional specs, designs and cups everywhere.

A good desk tidy to coincide with the end of a project is a good way to round things off I think! Helps to clear your mind and prepare you for your next task!

Oh, and tidy workspaces also seem to be a bit of a health and safety issue as well, we've got inspectors coming in soon to review just that, the general cleanliness and state of employees workspaces.

Answer 6

The trick I use is to every now and then I make a folder called "OldDeskTop" on the desktop. Then I drag everything into it. The really important stuff gets moved back out and the rest is in an "archive". I can nest down several levels of OldDesktops. As long as long harddrives keep increasing...

Answer 7

I always keep my desk area sparse, just in case I decide to quit without notice.

Answer 8

Each to his own, whatever suits each individual. It's really not worth worrying about.

Petty office rules just waste time and annoy your team.

Answer 9

@Gary, Hilarious! =)

Answer 10

I tend to be very binary when it comes to this sort of thing. My desk is either absolutely spotless or covered by so much junk you can't even see the surface. I just don't seem to be able to have "a few things" on my desk. Those few things inevitably multiply into a massive mess. My home office desk is still a mess but at work I've had to make a rule that I do not leave anything on the desk. Before I leave for the day, everything goes back in it's place. No exceptions.

Now this is just me. There are plenty of folks out there who can have a moderate amount of stuff on their desks and keep things organized and under control. I'm just not one of them.