Do programmers perform better when working from office or from a location of their choice? Also do they work better with fixed timings compared to flexible hours?
Programmer performance : based on location, timings
productivity;performance
This depends highly on the individual programmers involved, and the need for collaboration, teamwork and mentoring.I've seen teams fail because the programmers all worked different hours in different places, and couldn't keep on the same page or share knowledge quickly by ways such as instant whiteboard meetings in the hallway, talking over cubicle walls, pair programming, etc.I've also seen teams perform poorly because programmers who who liked to code all night were expected to come in for too many morning meetings after a long commute, and ended up too sleep deprived to get in the groove and meet schedule.  If you have management flexibility, I suggest varying the routine near the beginning of a project, and find an unbiased observer to estimate if any type of routine seems to help or hinder the team on average.  If the programmers are employees in a competitive market for their skill sets, you also have to include job satisfaction in any decisions.