Many companies grant the software developers a benefit of working on projects they determine themselves. The philosophy is that providing some aspect of self determinism generates more satisfaction in the workplace.
There is a cost associated with this practice; it doesn’t come for free. The cost is accrued when the time is spent doing non-project work for the companies applications.
Again, the theory is that if you gave your employees 20% of their time for self determined projects that the remaining hours worked on company assets will be better and more efficient. It may be that the individual selects a project to write something that helps the company with their software development.
So, lets say your company just adopted this benefit. What are you going to work on? Share your ideas here online, or by email to btaylor@sswug.org.
Cheers,
Ben