Is Engineering Management Bullshit? - Make Art with Python
www.makeartwithpython.com/blog/is-engineering-management-bullshit
What Jamie wrote
The provocative title of this article draws attention right away. As I read Kaiser's thoughts I noted that his reading list is very similar to mine. I’m a big fan of Peter Drucker and I like that he starts and ends this assessment with Drucker's thinking on knowledge work.
It is then management’s job to ensure there is enough context for everyone on the team to be able to pursue the correct results. They do this by gathering, and then distributing context for the team. This ideally empowers the team to lead themselves, directing their efforts to the most effective outputs, given the current situation at hand.
The points in this article are valid. A side note, I prefer the term Software Development over Software Engineering because I believe the term engineering implies a precision that is lacking. In fact, leading a team of developers is more akin to leading a team of artists. It is fundamentally a creative process.
I would add more to Kaiser's conclusion, but I think he hits the big parts right.
Going back to Drucker, a manager’s job is to prepare people to perform, and to give them freedom to do so.
Creative people need psychological safety in order to perform. An effective manager provides this, along with coaching to help reports become more effective versions of themselves. This should then allow them to reap long term rewards.
An effective manager builds trust and space for their reports to execute, along with guidance for where their efforts will have the largest impact, helping them to continue growing in their career.
An effective manager cares for their team, their work, and its effect beyond the immediate organization. They are stewards first, realizing that much is beyond their control.
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