Track your TODOs

Just add a link...

Are you using a work tracker? If so, inside a TODO comment, include a link to the work in the work tracker:

# TODO Replace the naive algorithm with an O(log(n)) algorithm https://work-tracker/ITEM-001
def fib(n):
    if n < 0:
        return f(n+2) - f(n+1)
    elif n == 0:
        return 0
    elif n == 1:
        return 1
    elif n > 1:
        return f(n-1) + f(n-2)
    else:
        raise IncompleteIfTreeException("Values: {}".format(json.dumps({"n": n})))

There’s a few advantages to including a link to the work inside a TODO comment:

• It ensures the TODO work is in the work tracker which has two implications:

  • You’ll be promoted sooner. From a fast coding perspective, promotions matter because promotions lead to higher impact projects. If you track your TODOs in the work tracker, it’s visible. You are rewarded. You are promoted sooner. If you don’t track your TODOs and you spend time completing them…well, your boss doesn’t dig through git, looking for deleted TODOs, no matter how tech…