An Introduction to Engineering Management
Software engineering and development teams are growing every year at an estimated rate of 25% (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm). The digital transformation of businesses has led to steady increases in the number and variety of web and native app engineering positions. With the high cost of software engineers, all employers have a vested interest in the effectiveness of these teams. As software continues to consume the world, we have an increasing need for engineering managers to lead, inspire, support, and sustain our teams.
Many people have a hard time wrapping their brains around engineering management as its own discipline. When I tell others I am an engineering manager by trade, a common reply I get is, “Oh, like a project manager?” The skills of a project manager may be helpful to an engineering manager, but the work is different and requires a distinct skillset.
In this chapter, we’ll introduce why we need engineering managers and what those managers must achieve in order to be successful. We will learn why the transition from engineer to manager can be such a difficult and jolting change, and we’ll see why managing up is just as important to this role as managing down.
By the end of this chapter, you will understand which traits differentiate experienced engineering managers and what you must do to earn the respect and trust of your team.
This chapter is broken down into these main topics:
- What are engineering managers responsible for?
- Introducing the four activities of engineering managers
- How do engineering managers spend their day?
- How to prepare yourself for a career change
Let’s dive in.