Unreasonable Requests and Isolation: A Software Engineer’s Challenge

In this paper, the authors explore the concept of "overwhelm" in the context of software engineering. They define overwhelm as a state of feeling overwhelmed or overpowered by work-related tasks and emotions. The authors argue that overwhelm can negatively impact software developers’ productivity and quality of work, leading to burnout and decreased job satisfaction.
To better understand overwhelm in software engineering, the authors conducted a qualitative analysis of interviews with software developers. They identified four stages of analysis: reading the transcripts, labeling statements, clustering themes, and naming themes. The authors found that software developers often experience emotional overwhelm due to unrealistic expectations from stakeholders, tight deadlines, and conflicting priorities.
The authors also discussed the importance of team reflexivity, which involves reflecting on one’s own biases and assumptions when conducting qualitative research. They emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in research, particularly when dealing with complex and sensitive topics like overwhelm.
In summary, this paper sheds light on the nuances of overwhelm in software engineering and highlights its impact on productivity and job satisfaction. The authors’ findings underscore the importance of acknowledging and addressing emotional labor in software development to improve work-related wellbeing. By promoting a culture of open communication, empathy, and shared responsibility, software developers can better manage their workload and reduce the risk of burnout.