How can we as developers take a defensive stance, and what are some specific types of defensive code?

While doing user research, it might be helpful to look at the design from the viewpoint of several users.

For most applications, a team of developers works together building code for specific features and functionality. This collaboration provides numerous benefits to the developers as well as the users of the finished product. What are some of the benefits of team-based approach to application development? What are some of the challenges to this approach and how can a development manager prevent these from negatively impacting the final product? What are some "good programming principles" that you can implement to help others work with the code you write? Are you able to implement these practices for your weekly programming assignment? (Provide justification for your response regardless of which position you choose to take.)

Therefore, does this imply that developers must create code that can be maintained even if the company does not?