Engineering 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 ReadingTransitioning from Individual Contributor to Engineering Manager: Navigating the Technology Knowledge Gap Transitioning from an Individual Contributor (IC) role to an Engineering Manager (EM) position can be both an exciting and daunting journey. After 11 years as an IC and a substantial experience …
Continue ReadingSkipping Happy Hour During Work Hours: A Manager’s Dilemma In the modern workplace, the boundaries between work and social activities are increasingly blurred, especially as companies adapt to hybrid and remote work models. One area of contention that has emerged is the concept of “work …
Continue ReadingSmythos: Simplify Workflow Management for Engineering Teams Hello, r/EngineeringManagers! I’m excited to introduce you to Smythos, a platform I’ve been developing to address the unique challenges faced by engineering managers in today’s fast-paced tech environment. As someone who has …
Continue ReadingVery Incompetent Team Member: Navigating Workplace Dynamics In any professional environment, particularly within large organizations, team dynamics can become complicated when one member consistently underperforms. The challenge often lies in addressing these issues without coming off as a …
Continue ReadingWould You Take Over a Lead Role for a Group Known to Be ‘Slackers’? Transitioning into a leadership position is often a significant milestone in a software developer’s career. However, what happens when you’re approached to lead a team that has a reputation for …
Continue ReadingHow to Deal with Projects in Maintenance In the software development lifecycle, the transition from project completion to maintenance can often feel like a daunting task. This phase, which includes monitoring, bug fixes, and updates, is crucial yet frequently underestimated within organizations. …
Continue ReadingLooking for Engineering Manager Positions Introduction As I navigate my career as a Data Engineering Manager, I find myself at a crossroads—after 1.5 years in a hands-on role at a small consulting company with 500 associates, I am eager to explore opportunities in larger organizations that offer …
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 ReadingThe Importance of GPG Signing Your Commits: A Light-Hearted Approach to Security In recent updates, Bitbucket has introduced support for GPG commit signing, a feature that emphasizes the importance of verifying the identity of developers making changes to a codebase. As the lead developer in my …
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 ReadingThe Value of Domain Knowledge in Software Development In the fast-paced world of software development, it’s not uncommon to encounter a disconnect between management and technical teams. One aspect of this disconnect that I’ve observed repeatedly throughout my career is the undervaluation of domain …
Continue ReadingEmbracing the Role of Product Owner: Navigating Leadership Without Direct Reports Hey there, As I reflect on my journey over the past 20 months, I find myself at a pivotal moment in my career. I joined my current company as an Engineering Manager, where I had the opportunity to execute significant …
Continue ReadingHow to Handle Working with Your Old Team? Transitioning between companies is a common occurrence in today’s tech industry, particularly when collaborating with partner teams. If you’re in a position where you’re being recruited by a team from another company that you’ve …
Continue ReadingAre There Exercises You’ve Done That You’ve Found Useful When Starting to Manage a New Team? Starting to manage a new team can be both exciting and daunting. It presents an opportunity to shape the team’s culture, improve processes, and drive results. However, it also comes with …
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