What is the recommended practice regarding task-level merges?

The recommended practice of integrating changes on user story and defect branches frequently is essential for maintaining a smooth workflow and minimizing integration issues in a project. Frequent merges help in identifying conflicts early, which makes resolving them simpler and less time-consuming. By continuously merging changes, team members can see how their work interacts with others' changes regularly, ensuring that the codebase remains stable and features progress efficiently.

Frequent integration also facilitates collaboration among team members, as it encourages feedback on the work being done. By doing this, it becomes easier to align efforts with project requirements and adapt to any adjustments needed in real time, rather than waiting until the end of a project when problems might have compounded.

In contrast, merging only at the end of a project or following long development cycles can lead to substantial integration challenges, where conflicts are more complex and harder to manage. Additionally, merging only when instructed by project management can disrupt the natural flow of teamwork and limit proactive communication among developers. This could lead to delays and decreased overall project effectiveness. Thus, the practice of frequent merges fosters better collaboration, agility, and overall productivity in software development.