Salesforce is all about teamwork, but let’s be honest one of the trickiest relationships to manage is between developers and admins. Both roles are essential for keeping Salesforce running smoothly, yet they often seem to operate in parallel universes. Miscommunication, duplicated work, and conflicting problem-solving approaches can lead to frustration, delays, and a system that’s harder to maintain.
Based on common challenges and best practices, here are 10 tips to help bridge the gap between Salesforce developers and admins.
1. Collaborate Early on Project Planning
Tip: Involve both teams from the start.
Why: Early collaboration helps determine whether a declarative (admin-driven) or programmatic (developer-driven) solution is best for the task.
How: Set up joint planning sessions and create a decision matrix that outlines when to use clicks (declarative tools) versus code (programmatic solutions).
2. Create a Clear Decision Matrix for Clicks vs. Code
Tip: Develop guidelines that define which approach to take for each requirement.
Why: This removes ambiguity and helps both teams appreciate the trade-offs between rapid deployment and long-term scalability.
How: List scenarios where declarative tools work best and identify cases that require custom code to meet complex requirements.
3. Schedule Regular Check-Ins
Tip: Hold routine meetings to sync up on project progress and upcoming changes.
Why: Regular communication minimizes misaligned expectations and duplicated efforts.
How: Use recurring meetings or daily stand-ups to review current work and quickly address any emerging issues.
4. Leverage Shared Documentation Platforms
Tip: Use tools like Confluence or Notion to create and maintain a single source of truth for project details.
Why: Centralized documentation keeps everyone informed and reduces misunderstandings.
How: Document processes, decisions, and action items in a shared space accessible to both developers and admins.
5. Set Up Dedicated Communication Channels
Tip: Create Slack channels or Chatter groups exclusively for cross-team collaboration.
Why: Immediate communication helps troubleshoot problems and fosters a culture of teamwork.
How: Establish channels for daily questions, project updates, and ad-hoc troubleshooting to ensure rapid responses.
6. Align on Security Best Practices
Tip: Work together to set and follow security standards.
Why: Developers and admins often have different perspectives on permissions and automation harmonizing these views protects sensitive data and improves performance.
How: Conduct joint training sessions on Salesforce’s least-privilege model and regularly review security policies together.
7. Standardize Deployment and Change Management
Tip: Develop a shared strategy for deployments.
Why: A unified approach prevents overwriting changes, unexpected system errors, and version conflicts.
How: Encourage admins to use sandboxes, adopt version control systems like Git, and implement DevOps tools such as Copado or Gearset for structured deployments.
8. Adopt a Unified Project Management Framework
Tip: Use Agile or Kanban boards to manage tasks across teams.
Why: Clear processes improve visibility, prioritization, and coordination between admins and developers.
How: Utilize project management tools like Jira or Asana to maintain a shared backlog, conduct backlog grooming, and plan sprints that align priorities.
9. Encourage Cross-Skilling and Continuous Learning
Tip: Promote mutual learning so both teams understand each other’s strengths.
Why: When admins learn the basics of Apex and developers explore declarative tools like Flow, each can appreciate the challenges and benefits of the other’s approach.
How: Offer cross-training sessions, pair programming, and shadowing opportunities to build empathy and broaden skill sets.
10. Foster a Culture of Collaboration and Continuous Improvement
Tip: Create an environment where feedback and shared ownership are prioritized.
Why: Continuous improvement and open dialogue lead to scalable, secure, and maintainable Salesforce solutions.
How: Hold regular retrospectives, celebrate collaborative wins, and encourage team members to provide constructive feedback on both processes and tools.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, Salesforce developers and admins share the same goal: building robust, scalable solutions that drive business success. By aligning on best practices, enhancing communication, and embracing continuous learning, teams can break down silos and create a more cohesive, efficient work environment. Implement these 10 tips to bridge the gap between your developers and admins, and watch as collaboration transforms your Salesforce ecosystem into a true business enabler.
What challenges have you faced in aligning your Salesforce teams, and which tips do you plan to implement? Share your experiences in the comments below!
