Ever been stuck in a coding project that felt like it was growing uncontrollably? Maybe you were adding features you might need later, or using a ridiculously complicated solution for a simple problem. If so, you are already on your way to understanding over-engineering in software, so don’t fret.
It is way too easy to go down that path with software engineering. The intention is often good – build amazing software products. But, over-engineering in software development can cripple a software project with negative consequences and technical debt.
We’re going to look closer at what causes this and some ways we can stop developers overengineer it.
Table Of Contents:
- What Exactly Is Over-Engineering in Software?
- Practical Steps to Keep Things Lean
- Simplicity By the Numbers
- Conclusion
What Exactly Is Over-Engineering in Software?
So, what is it? Wikipedia defines overengineering as designing something with way more features, or complexity, than the core problem truly calls for. Think of it like using a commercial-grade kitchen appliance to simply toast a piece of bread.
Sure, it gets the job done, but with way more steps than required. This happens often in software when solving small problems, big solutions are implemented.
It might stem from a lack of experience, or even miscommunication within the development team. It leads to blown deadlines and budget issues. The truth is that teams must have strong open communication.
Great teams work well together. Their solution solving abilities help solve client’s needs that is focused on directly what they are solving.
Recognizing the Early Warning Signs
How do you know when the balance tips? How do we recognize problem code recognition early?
One sign to look for is a constant push to handle unlikely issues. For example, designing your app to support 10 million simultaneous users in a concept phase might indicate an issue with thinking through current requirements.
Another red flag could be getting obsessed with future scaling while your present is getting sidelined. Focusing on “future proofing” is all well and good in theory. But building based on current realities saves cost in the short-term.
Why We Fall Into the Over-Engineering Trap
There’s a few key reasons that drive software developers to over-engineer.
Sometimes, it is a perfectionist streak. You, as a startup founder, might think, that everyone must do their work to its fullest potential. But Pareto’s Principle has a saying, “80% of our work is based on 20% of the time.”
You really have to spend the other 20% of your time to truly get things to that perfect point. But, perfect code, truly does not exist.
Changing and evolving digital ecosystems always happen. Refactoring of some sort, almost always is going to be necessary.
New languages and code strategies seem so enticing when we want things “just so”. It may come from personal ego or even insecurity, but you also might really like “shiny” new features. Sometimes we just feel great solving a very hard problem, because the excitement takes hold.
The Hidden Costs of “Just in Case” Coding
It might appear as though you’re future-proofing when it happens. What, if down the line we require an even bigger scope? The cost, both hidden and apparent can become costly.
Let’s look at some specific things that over-complicating matters could cost your software and development:
- More Time: Think about a software project and when something comes out late. All too often you end up shipping features months later, if even at all. It’s also true, that the very first feature was truly all you required to get things started, right?
- Confused Teams: Complex code leads to hard code that not everyone understands. This even includes the future “you” of several months down the line.
- More Bugs: A hard code-base is almost always prone to breaks down the road. What tends to do the best? Simple systems tend to do the best for all those involved.
- Bad Maintenance: When over-engineering in software happens, the chance that you’re no longer helping your initial product launch goals gets high. Instead, all of your time gets caught up trying to maintain your intricate build.
Ultimately, an engineering issue of being overly strategic comes with steep cost that you, a business owner, just should not endure. This is because you’re introducing unnecessary complexities.
Real-World Consequences
Let’s dig into a real-world example shared on Stack Exchange, a respected network of Q&A sites that includes Stack Overflow.
A contributor, Andyz Smith, shared a story in 2015, which talks about a company that tried to “Soft Code” rules in its database. This was used in order for a basic rule to update between ten to thirty separate databases at the same time.
Then they even created its own version of coding “to allow non-techies to be able to create things.” This just became hard and pointless for a very simple, albeit growing, project. This shows that adding complexity is not always the best.
Over-Engineering vs. Under-Engineering
Is under-engineering also an issue? Yes, definitely.
There are some general principles like, SOLID and DRY that some teams might try. But as requirements happen, they follow no known rules, so often these design principles do not matter.
Under-engineering might be when not enough thinking happens on the development design. On the opposite spectrum of the design process though, is “over-engineering” things.
It is that zone that might get complicated. It also becomes very opinionated in terms of approach.
Practical Steps to Keep Things Lean
The main takeaway is to maintain a good development environment by following simple steps. Let’s discuss a handful.
How does an engineering lead stay away from pitfalls? Here are a few things to do:
- Ask this important, initial question that has bailed countless developments: “What is a way we could keep things lean and solve the immediate problem right now?”. You can always tweak and make updates after.
- Solve today’s challenges. Stop speculating about a month, a year or ten-years from now.
- Talk it out with another coder. If something is looking far-fetched in their opinion, reconsider your strategy.
- Stop obsessing. The coding team behind great software do a key thing. That is they solve user’s most urgent and relevant problems.
Doing the above four items will give huge impact. Following these makes sure your not making your code harder to maintain and work with.
Finding The Proper Balance
It is about matching tools to problems, but also considering a long-term future. Experienced developers are great at this.
When building your software systems, consider using something like the software, Amazon Athena. It uses DTO items and queries simple files that work with CSV.
Following a methodology such as this can assist in scalability but, also is easier to implement to just start to solve current solutions. Using this makes it so you’re not building overly complex systems.
Embrace Iterative Software Practices
Start with functions to give something to work for teams. If a future-proofing is critical, make an improvement for the later “version 2”.
Another consideration could include following a methodology such as an agile strategy. Iterative type systems might be useful here.
Think version-controls that give “check points” with smaller sprints that go weekly. This helps to avoid unnecessary features and wasted time on things you think might be needed.
Simplicity By the Numbers
Think for a moment about an online poll shared from 2009. A blog post back in the day wrote an article on a specific style on a codesimplicity.com website.
Someone posted about this “newly launched” code concept on a website named “Code Simplicity What Is Overengineering”. Then there’s that comment with the person referencing that symbols were complicated back then.
It shows, not even that long ago how fast new and easier frameworks can arrive out of left-field. It is crazy to imagine a new code that will handle ALL things.
Some basic issues, are only fixed with quick approaches. The KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid) is good advice to follow.
Take into consideration also a fact that most of developer’s workdays are impacted when software gets more complicated to solve. Engineers end up losing a great amount of their time spent just addressing technical issues from hard systems.
Did you know that coders lose over 30 percent of their work week dealing with already created engineering challenges? The truth is developers can spend 33% of their working time on already implemented issues.
Code should match current known problems. Keeping it simple matters to your teams and benefits everyone on time spent.
Conclusion
We’ve explored the nuanced nature of over-engineering in software. Simplicity still reigns supreme, and you should follow the KISS principle.
Strive to stay grounded. Address only current concerns, and keep things agile to avoid excess complexity by following an iterative approach.
Make it a top rule to remember. The art of true coding is to meet needs but resist adding excessive details. You are still producing robust code and systems, but prioritizing today’s core needs instead of tomorrow’s hypothetical challenges that may never become issues to avoid over-engineering in software.
