Think Like a Software Engineering Manager

1 Exploring the engineering manager role

This chapter covers

• The basics of management and the need for it
• Key roles and responsibilities of an engineering manager
• The nuances of leadership versus management
• Traits that differentiate excellent engineering managers
• Success metrics
• Leadership styles

Productivity is most important by engineering management rules, but enjoyment is most important for engineers. One stems from the other.

—Rob Pike

You are the new engineering manager for a team of six engineers. Each engineer is capable of completing 2 tasks per day, for a team total of 12 tasks daily. You, however, think they can do better, and you identify specific opportunities for improvement. Through streamlined code reviews, agile ...