What reasons do you have/give for using an MP3 player/iPod while programming?

Question

At my last job, as a Project Manager, I argued (unsuccessfully) for the Developers to be able to use MP3 players while they were working. Unfortunately, the culture in that company was such that many of the so-called business people could not cope with the concept that some people would be able to use their music players, whilst others (e.g. Call Centre staff) could not.

The company I worked at before that (as a Software Development Manager) were open to Developers using their iPods, and I found them more productive because of it - albeit they weren't allowed to plug in their iPods to their PCs for security and copyright reasons.

So to help me in my next job, if I come across this situation again, how would you successfully put the rationale behind allowing MP3 players?

Answer 1

Helps me to think, certain types of music I find lend themselves to this :-)

Working in an smallish office of 20+ helps me to concentrate by not hearing, the conversations, telephone calls, radio, etc, etc, etc. Especially important if l want concentrate on something l working on.

One colleague l once worked with said in a data entry company it was almost mandatory to use a radio or MP3. As it encourage workers to concentrate and reduced data entry errors.

As selling it to management? Less downtime with idle chit chat, more time concentrating and focused on the task. The question is maybe do the management team trust their employees to do the work they are tasked with or micro manage each part of their day.

Speaking to managers "listening to music = greater productivity = profit" look at this Music whilst you work. Does cite a couple studies but no links :-( Might worth following up. I really with working to Baroque music :-)

Answer 2

• Shut out distracting noises
• Some developers like coding while listening to music

The company you are referring to does not seem to be developer friendly at all. In fact, I would take a guess that senior management there is totally made up of non-technical people.

Answer 3

Perhaps because people think that music is distracting, or that you can't listen to music while being productive. Sometimes it helps focus, sometimes it hurts it. For example, I find it to be distracting, but just barely enough that it keeps my attention on my work so that I don't drift away doing other things.

Ultimately it should be unquestionably down to the developer how to manage his work environment. No one but him can say whether or not it's a good idea. Anyone who is in favor of prohibiting it is trying to micromanage. Make the point that people should be worried if developers are delivering good results, not how they do it.

Answer 4

It's less to do with listening to music, and more to do with NOT listening to everything else.

I'm lucky enough to work somewhere very relaxed about this sort of thing.

Answer 5

Putting on headphones and listening to whatever is the cubicle equivalent of shutting your office door. For me, it helps me focus.

The corporate culture may frown upon this because people may feel intimidated to interrupt you while listening. This could be a good or bad thing, depending on how important the interruption is.

Answer 6

Micromanagement drives morale down. Unless there is a compelling reason related to specified duties to ban mp3 players (e.g., call center workers), there is no reason to do this.

Answer 7

How about this for a rationale:

Can we have an exception for programmers who bring a note in from their parents that says they are allowed to listen to music? That way you could delegate treating your employees like children and have more time to micromanage the amount of toilet tissue people are using when they use the restroom.

Or how about:

The music helps them drown out micromanagement and remain focused on things that actually have any impact on the success of the company.

Answer 8

Management: "Give me a good reason why we should let them use their mp3 players?"

You: "Because they want to."

Management: "Uhhh?"

You: "If you're going to be assessing them on anything other than what they're getting done: you're doing it wrong."

It's a little forward but it's true.

Personally, it's a distraction to me, but my wife can't get anything done without background noise.

Answer 9

• A really boring task seems less boring, when i listen to music.
• I also use an app to help me keep a relaxed breathing rhythm.

In general i find music too distracting.