How to Deal with Crap Hardware and Apathy in Software Development In the fast-paced world of software development, the tools we use can significantly impact our productivity and morale. Unfortunately, many developers find themselves wrestling with inadequate hardware and apathetic management, …
Continue ReadingStruggling with EM Transition Transitioning from an individual contributor (IC) to an engineering manager (EM) can be a daunting journey, especially when faced with unexpected organizational changes. Many find themselves in situations where they must adapt rapidly to new teams and technologies, …
Continue ReadingWhat are the Key Challenges for First-Time Software Engineering Managers? Stepping into the role of a software engineering manager (EM) can be both an exciting and daunting opportunity. It’s common for individuals to transition into management after demonstrating exceptional skills as individual …
Continue ReadingI Built a Tool to Automate My EM Documentation Duties - Here’s What I Learned After Using It for a Year For the past year, I’ve been using a tool I built to handle my management documentation duties. What started as a personal solution has evolved into something beneficial for a few …
Continue ReadingStarving Teams to Justify Eliminating Their Products In large organizations, particularly in tech-heavy environments, certain patterns emerge that can leave teams feeling underappreciated and overworked. One of the most perplexing phenomena I’ve observed is the practice of deliberately …
Continue ReadingEngineering Management vs Project Management: Understanding the Distinctions Navigating the realms of engineering management and project management can be a perplexing endeavor, especially for those contemplating a career in one of these fields. While they may seem similar at first glance, these …
Continue ReadingMy Retrospective Going into Engineering Management - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Transitioning into engineering management is a journey filled with learning, growth, and sometimes unexpected challenges. As I look back on my path, I want to share the highs, lows, and lessons learned along the …
Continue ReadingQuite Technical Question - Asking for Help/Direction About DSL in Product Management! Introduction In the evolving landscape of product management (PM), particularly in technical roles, the conversation around Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs) is gaining traction. However, a prevailing sentiment …
Continue ReadingNavigating the Transition from Senior Developer to Software Development Manager (SDM) Transitioning from a Senior Developer role to a Software Development Manager (SDM) is a significant step in one’s career. It often entails a shift in responsibilities, mindset, and skill set. In this post, we …
Continue ReadingIs It a Red Flag When the Org Makes Everyone Share Logins for Paid Tools? In the world of startups and small organizations, resource management often becomes a tightrope walk between frugality and efficiency. One common practice that raises eyebrows is the sharing of logins for paid tools among team …
Continue ReadingWhat’s Your Favorite Cheap Issue Tracking Software? As we embark on the exciting yet challenging journey of building a startup, one of the critical decisions we face is selecting the right issue-tracking software. While tools like GitHub Projects serve their purpose, they may not offer the …
Continue ReadingSafe vs ALL-IN Engineering Management In the fast-paced world of technology, the role of engineering managers is more critical than ever. As leaders, they face a fundamental choice in their management style: to adopt a ‘safe’ approach or to go ‘ALL-IN.’ This post will explore …
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