Staff Engineer

Effective Metrics for Engineering Teams

This article explores the topic of effective metrics for engineering teams. It discusses the importance of metrics in evaluating team performance, the different types of metrics that can be used, and the challenges associated with their use. The article also suggests leveraging personality tests and establishing clear role definitions to improve collaboration and provide guidance for team members. By using metrics in a fair and unbiased manner and implementing these strategies, engineering teams can enhance their performance and achieve their goals more effectively.

Building Up Your Technical Skills in a Fast-Paced Industry

With the constant influx of new technologies in software development, it can be difficult to decide which ones to learn and stay current with. This article outlines five tips for upskilling your technical knowledge, such as evaluating the 'why' before deciding what to learn, upskilling on the fundamentals first, accepting that you can't know everything, delegating tasks, and not neglecting your soft skills. It also emphasizes the importance of having a focus, working on communication skills, and reading outside of the IT area.

Deciding if Management Is Right for You

After taking a year to reflect on the decision to move into a management role, the author decided to start small and test their skills in guiding others. They mentored a few engineers and then took on an initiative to unify the architecture of their organization. This was a successful endeavor and gave the author the confidence to decide that they could be a good manager. The author emphasizes the importance of being a good leader in engineering, such as being humble, creating an environment where everyone can thrive, and making the team feel like they can rely on you.

A First-Time Managers Guide to Performance Management

This article discusses the challenges of transitioning from a colleague to a manager. It outlines the importance of taking a consultative approach prior to transitioning and how to navigate interpersonal relationships with team members. It also provides tips for first-time managers on how to create high-performing teams and judge reports based on job descriptions.

Reasons Promoting From Within Is Better for Growing Your Business

When a principal engineer left a team without a backup plan, the Associate Director had to decide whether to groom a senior engineer to the next level or hire a Lead engineer from outside. The Associate Director chose to groom the senior engineer, giving him more ownership and products, and dividing the project lifecycle into three phases. The Associate Director invested a lot of time with the senior engineer, providing feedback and 1:1s, and after two quarters the senior engineer was ready to lead independently. The lessons learned from this experience were to invest in the internal team, be tactful in choosing and nurturing second-line leaders, and lead by example.