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I agree there is some overlap with what engineers should know about the business, I guess it's just a matter of where the line is drawn. I also think one of the

by proc0 2y ago

I agree there is some overlap with what engineers should know about the business, I guess it's just a matter of where the line is drawn. I also think one of the factors is the size of the team and also the structure of the org. If an org is large enough, then it can afford to have engineers specialize in doing just engineering without thinking about the bigger picture, so long as they have a clear goal in mind. That said, my experience with large orgs is the opposite and it's where they push engineers towards management and leadership a lot more than in other smaller orgs. In my opinion the productivity of engineering should come from the engineering itself, especially with software systems. Software is about automation. The better the engineering, the more productive the org becomes. This potential is hurt by having engineers worry about what the customer wants or how the business works in detail. But yeah, this varies with what the type of business, and the size and structure of the org.

bdangubic 2y ago
This potential is hurt by having engineers worry about what the customer wants or how the business works in detail. But yeah, this varies with what the type of business, and the size and structure of the org not every engineer needs to know about business. but “10x” ones do I believe - all of the business. they are the ones that put guardrails around engineering decisions and ensure business continuity and prosperity. I do not believe that there should be any lead engineer anywhere who is not intimately familiar with the business - all of the business - of the company she/he is working for.
- proc0 2y ago
  Fair enough, although I still believe more engineering should mean more productivity at least if the org structure allows for it. There is always someone who did not spend 10+ years studying CS that can help with the high level directions and communications, but I'm still learning in this regard. Thanks for your input.

by proc0 2y ago

bdangubic 2y ago

This potential is hurt by having engineers worry about what the customer wants or how the business works in detail. But yeah, this varies with what the type of business, and the size and structure of the org not every engineer needs to know about business. but “10x” ones do I believe - all of the business. they are the ones that put guardrails around engineering decisions and ensure business continuity and prosperity. I do not believe that there should be any lead engineer anywhere who is not intimately familiar with the business - all of the business - of the company she/he is working for.

proc0 2y ago
Fair enough, although I still believe more engineering should mean more productivity at least if the org structure allows for it. There is always someone who did not spend 10+ years studying CS that can help with the high level directions and communications, but I'm still learning in this regard. Thanks for your input.