As we know, software projects usually take quite long period to finish the completed project, especially from medium to large scale project. And its been in recorded as yearly period in statistics. Relative to this kind of project, the other projects like building construction, even took longer period in average and they say its normal for 3-4 years period. But in the software development it is a bit different, because we invent on the pure brain of the developers. That is why software project seems has more risk on the time frame.
Boring on the project, might causing slow progressing, even drop on the quality, late delivery and finally might lost on the upcoming projects.
How we can cope that problem? First off all, we must identified how long in statistically the period of the project has started make the developers bore. A year? One and half?
Then how we can provide something to make them refreshed. Some company using switching with other developers between projects, some other go somewhere interesting place. Some of the companies also assumed that the developers are agreed in any conditions have to be ready and no bore!, by provide them good facilities like swimming pool, nice place.
But I have seen the good alternative on the "Project for Fun". What is this? This is a month period to create whatever project that developers want to create for their fun. Because actually their soul is still in coding activity and they also want to develop their skill up. They only boring with the current project day-by-day condition. The situation on the"Project for Fun" should very different with their daily have in the projects. My idea is they can work from everywhere, has an approved budget, should monitor on the progression by their own and should delivery on a month. But finally they must have been assessed and might result the acknowledge of the upgraded skill and maybe certified or any kind of rewarded.
By working on the "Project for Fun", from everywhere, they can work from the hotel, on the village while travelling, on the hill, nice. Two sides have been reached, refresh on the activity, refresh on the brain. I have done this my self couple times and for me this is good to bring the spirit back.
Some others think this is crazy, working while refreshing, but you can find this is interesting for some developers. They are really passionated on this kind things. No doubt they are the native programmers.
:)