The Joel Test is a simple 12-question checklist for evaluating software team quality that can be completed in minutes. Each 'yes' answer scores one point, with 12 being perfect, 11 tolerable, and 10 or lower indicating serious problems. The test covers fundamental practices like source control, daily builds, bug tracking, spec writing, quiet working conditions, and usability testing.

• •A perfect score is 12, 11 is tolerable, but 10 or lower indicates serious problems, while most software organizations score only 2 or 3
• •Fixing bugs immediately is cheaper than delaying—the longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes in time and money
• •Interruptions destroy programmer productivity by knocking them out of 'the zone', with even a 1-minute interruption potentially costing 15 minutes of productive work
• •Programmers should write code during interviews, as hiring based solely on resumes or trivia questions fails to test actual coding ability
• •Hallway usability testing with just 5-6 people reveals 95% of usability problems at virtually no cost

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