How Many Pull Requests Per Week

How Many Pull Requests Per Week Should You Aim For?

The ideal number of pull requests (PRs) per week isn't a magic number that applies universally. It heavily depends on several factors, including your role, team size, project complexity, and individual work style. There's no single right answer, but understanding the nuances will help you strike the right balance.

Factors Influencing Optimal Pull Request Frequency

Let's break down the key elements affecting how many PRs you should aim for:

1. Project Complexity & Size

Working on a massive, intricate project with numerous dependencies will naturally result in fewer PRs per week compared to smaller, simpler projects. Large projects often require more extensive changes, leading to larger, more carefully considered PRs.

2. Team Size & Collaboration

In larger teams, merging PRs might involve more reviews and approvals, potentially slowing down the process. Smaller teams often enjoy faster turnaround times, allowing for more frequent PRs. Effective collaboration and clear communication are key regardless of team size.

3. Your Role & Responsibilities

A senior developer might manage fewer, larger PRs focused on architectural changes. Conversely, a junior developer might focus on more smaller, task-oriented PRs, building experience and receiving feedback.

4. Individual Work Style

Some developers prefer a methodical approach with fewer, well-structured PRs. Others thrive with a more iterative process, submitting multiple smaller PRs throughout the week. Finding a rhythm that suits your workflow and contributes to overall team efficiency is important.

5. Code Quality and Review Time

Prioritize code quality over quantity. Submitting many small, poorly-written PRs is less effective than a few well-crafted ones. Factor in the time needed for code reviews; a backlog of unreviewed PRs indicates a potential problem.

The Importance of Quality Over Quantity

Instead of focusing solely on the number of PRs, emphasize the quality of your contributions. A well-structured, well-documented, and thoroughly tested PR will always be more valuable than several hastily submitted ones.

Key Considerations:

• Atomic Commits: Break down large tasks into smaller, logical units with clear, concise commit messages. This improves code readability and simplifies the review process.
• Meaningful PR Titles and Descriptions: Clearly communicate the purpose and scope of your changes.
• Thorough Testing: Ensure your code functions correctly before submitting a PR.

Finding Your Optimal Frequency

The best approach is to experiment and find what works best for you and your team. Start by tracking your PR frequency and gathering feedback from colleagues. Analyze your workflow, identify bottlenecks, and adapt your approach to maximize productivity and maintain high code quality.

Ultimately, the goal is not to hit a specific number of PRs weekly, but to consistently contribute valuable, high-quality code that efficiently moves the project forward.