Slides from Minnebar 2015 and 2016. Targeted to managers who have never lead a tech team before, or technologist new to management. Primary focus is software development and start-up / entrepreneurs.
2. Stereotypes: Nerd vs Business
▪ Doesn’t speak “English”
▪ Can’t see the big picture
▪ Abrasive
▪ Estimates are always wrong
▪ Inflexible
▪ Refuse to make time
commitments
▪ Doesn’t understand tech
▪ Can’t define a process
▪ Won’t get to the point
▪ Information sharing is vague
▪ Demanding
▪ Refuse to define
requirements
3.
4. Communication:
▪ GOALS
▪ Talk about theWHY of a product, not theWHAT
▪ Learn the lingo
▪ Trust through actions, not reputation
Make every tech conversation come back to the business
GOALS #Alignment #minnebar @scottkdavis
5. When Developers Lose Trust
▪ Demand documentation
▪ Write CYA code
▪ Halt emotional investment
▪ Inflate estimates
▪ Deliver only what was asked for
▪ Stop taking risks
Trust is more important to developers than almost any other
aspect of project management. #minnebar @scottkdavis
6. Track Progress Not Deadlines
▪ Scrum
▪ Velocity
▪ Estimates are always wrong
▪ Requirements are always incomplete
▪ “Art is never finished, only abandoned”
In tech, there is no “Done,” only “Ready.” #minnebar
@scottkdavis
7. What is Really Important
▪ “Must Have” is often a “Want”
▪ How much is this worth to you?
Developers, communicate the costs of requirements that
blow up budgets. #ProtectFunds #minnebar @scottkdavis
Requirements $25 $500
9. Where are your ARMS?
▪ Acquisition
▪ Retention
▪ Monetization
▪ Self-preservation
If a feature doesn’t fit in your ARMS, don’t build it. Acquisition,
Retention, Monetization, Self-preservation #minnebar
@scottkdavis
10. Disposable Software
▪ First versions rarely survive first contact
▪ If you are lucky, you will get to rewrite
▪ Building for “some day” is often a bad idea
▪ Best Practices are never “best” for everyone
First versions of products must be small, lean, and disposable.
Don’t over build. #NoPreOptimization #minnebar @scottkdavis
11. Open Source Isn’t Free
Open Source is free, like a free puppy is free. #minnebar
@scottkdavis
▪ What is the real
cost of what you
are doing?
▪ How much is your
time worth?
12. Startup Tech Team Tips
▪ What can you offer that isn’t salary?
▪ Hire people who need/want to learn
▪ Protect productive time
▪ Hire problem solvers
▪ Autonomy, not isolation
Read Paul Graham’s article, “Maker’s Schedule vs Manager’s
Schedule” #ProtectProductiveTime #minnebar @scottkdavis
