Mastering Tech Leadership: Strategies for Engineering and Software Development Managers

Course Title: "Mastering Tech Leadership: Strategies for Engineering and Software Development Managers"

Module 1: Path to Engineering Management: Key Steps

This module provides a guide on the journey to becoming an Engineering Manager, highlighting critical technical and leadership skills, strategic thinking, continuous learning, and career growth strategies.

• Understanding Technical Expertise
• Developing Leadership Skills
• Embracing Continuous Learning

Module 2: Strategic Planning and Execution

This module delves into the importance of strategic planning and execution in Engineering Management, covering goal setting, resource identification, risk assessment, best practices to execution of software projects and alignment of technical plans with business objectives.

• Understanding the strategic planning process
  • Objectives and key results example
• Strategic plan execution
  • Best practices for execution
• Monitoring and adjusting the plan

Module 3: Engineering Excellence: Building and Maintaining Quality Software

This module focuses on the principles and practices of building quality software and emphasizing the importance of engineering excellence. 10 best practices of Engineering Excellence are shared here.

• 10 best practices for engineering excellence
• 4 key principles of building and maintaining a quality software
• Metrics to measure the performance and effectiveness of a software engineering team
  • Example metrics for an engineering scorecard

Module 4: Productivity and Systems Thinking

This module explores productivity enhancement strategies for Engineering Managers, highlighting the role of systems thinking in effective problem-solving, decision-making, and process improvement.

• What is systems thinking?
• The relationship between productivity and thinking in systems
• Four essential components - 4 P’s
  • Example 1: Cloud Migration Project
  • Example 2: Forming a new team whose mission is to increase sign ups

Module 5: Cultivating a Winning Culture

This module discusses the importance of creating a positive, innovative, and collaborative culture within engineering teams, covering topics like motivation, diversity, equity, inclusion, and the role of leadership in shaping team culture.

• Key ingredients for a winning culture
• What might an engineering manager do in practice
• Challenges faced by women in tech and actions for engineering managers

This curriculum provides a comprehensive guide for aspiring and existing engineering managers and software development managers in the tech industry, focusing on key skills, strategies, and principles for success.