Having both a STEM PhD and been software engineering for decades, I'd say article covers the operational aspect of the PhD, i.e. project management skills. The

Having both a STEM PhD and been software engineering for decades, I'd say article covers the operational aspect of the PhD, i.e. project management skills. The other half of the PhD is knowing what is a significant chuck of doable research. Newbie PhD students often err in selecting topics too small, too large to do in 3 years, or already have been done. This would then correspond in software engineering to a program managers role in selecting features for the next successful release.