Software Engineering at Google

Chapter 4. Engineering for Equity

Written by Demma Rodriguez

Edited by Riona MacNamara

In earlier chapters, we’ve explored the contrast between programming as the production of code that addresses the problem of the moment, and software engineering as the broader application of code, tools, policies, and processes to a dynamic and ambiguous problem that can span decades or even lifetimes. In this chapter, we’ll discuss the unique responsibilities of an engineer when designing products for a broad base of users. Further, we evaluate how an organization, by embracing diversity, can design systems that work for everyone, and avoid perpetuating harm against our users.

As new as the field of software engineering is, we’re newer still at understanding the impact it has on underrepresented people and diverse societies. We did not write this chapter because we know all the answers. We do not. In fact, understanding how to engineer products that empower and respect all our users is still something Google is learning to do. We have had many public failures in protecting our most vulnerable users, and so we are writing this chapter because the path forward to more equitable products begins with evaluating our own failures and encouraging growth.

We are also writing this chapter because of the increasing imbalance of power between those who make development decisions that impact the world and those who simply must accept and live with those decisions that sometimes disadvantage already marginalized ...