Mise En Place: Applying the Principles of Kitchen Organization to Web Development at an Agency

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I was speaking with someone recently and they told me about “mise en place” (pronounced “MEEZ-on-plahs”). This French term, which roughly translates to “everything in its place,” refers to the process of preparing and organizing all of the necessary ingredients and tools BEFORE starting to cook. It’s a crucial step in ensuring that the cooking process goes smoothly and efficiently, and that the end result is both delicious and visually appealing. Being someone who likes to prepare meals for my family and friends, enjoyed exploring this idea…in the web development space.

Interestingly, the concept of “mise en place” can be just as applicable when it comes to working in web development. Here are a few ways in which this idea can be put into practice:

  1. Preparing the Necessary Tools

Just like a chef needs to have all of their pots, pans, and utensils ready to go before they start cooking, a web developer needs to have all of the necessary tools at their disposal. This might include a text editor, a version control system like Git, a project management tool like Trello, and a testing suite like Selenium. By setting up these tools ahead of time and ensuring that they are all working properly, a developer can avoid wasting time and focus on the task at hand.

  1. Organizing the Project Files

In addition to having the necessary tools, a web developer also needs to have a well-organized project file structure. This means creating a clear hierarchy of folders and files that makes it easy to find and update code as needed. By taking the time to organize files and folders ahead of time, a developer can avoid confusion and ensure that their code is easy to maintain and update down the line.

  1. Planning the Development Process

A web developer should have a plan for the development process. This might involve breaking down a project into smaller, more manageable tasks, setting deadlines, and delegating tasks to other team members. By planning ahead and setting clear expectations, a developer can ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the project is completed on time and within budget.

  1. Testing and Quality Assurance

Finally, just as a chef tastes their food throughout the cooking process to ensure that it’s coming together correctly, a web developer needs to test their code and ensure that it’s working as intended. This might involve using automated testing tools, running manual tests, and performing quality assurance checks to ensure that the code is clean and error-free.

The concept of “mise en place” is just as applicable to web development as it is to cooking. By taking the time to prepare, organize, and plan ahead, a web developer can ensure that their projects are completed efficiently, on time, and with the highest level of quality possible. Planning for site platform, function, APIs, analytics tracking, demographics, time zones, accessibility and more are all ingredients in your recipe. Whether you’re working on a small project or a large-scale application, the principles of “mise en place” can help you achieve success in your web development endeavors.

Zut alors! I have missed a bug.

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