If you’re a professional software developer, you might have faced various types of project managers. Some of them might be non technical project managers while some other are came from technical background who are 10 years behind the times. It’s hard to have technically competent and technically current managers.
Peter Principle also comes in the picture some times, In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence.
There’s a short and interesting paragraph on “Managing your Managers” the classic book Code Complete 2.
Managing your manager means, telling your managers what’s the best thing we can do in the particular situation. At the same time you’ve to give him a feeling that you’re still being managed.
The book suggests following tips.
- Plant your ideas for what you want to do and let’s wait for managers decide what you should do after having a brainstorm.
- Educate your manager on the right way of doing things. It’s often happening because the managers are often promoted, transferred or sometimes fired J
- Focus on your manager’s interests, what he really wants to do. Never distract him by talking too much on implementation details.
- Refuse to do what your manager tells you and insist on doing your job in the right way.
- Find another job
Those are the quick tips on the topic. I’m particularly interested in the 3rd topic. It’s frequently happening with every projects. In most of the cases your managers and project leads will not too much involved in your implementation details. Often the developers tend to have describing each and everything they’ve implemented as an answer for 10 marks essay to his manager. If your manager is ignorant about a particular technology or technique, never let their brain burn with confusions. Give high level details on the problems.
On the other side, I recommend the managers for not too much involve in the technical matters if they don’t have any grips in that. Because this will make the developers irritated and has to spend too much time for explaining things.
On the 4th point, it’s really hard to do. Refusing the things have said by your manager. But if you diplomatically handle that your good ideas will cherish and will do well for your project. You should not blindly refuse to do things, give appropriate reasons and provide solutions for the problems. Thus, don’t provide lame excuse, provide alternative better solution.
Finally everything depends upon the attitude of the managers to accept the inputs from juniors or developers. Some managers are too arrogant their pride will never allow them to accept good things. Such kind of managers are hard “manage”. Without power, human being is nothing. You will suffer especially if a fool get power and have control over you. So the last option is to find another job.
Think twice, give options for your managers for the good will of the project. Also don’t forget to give a feeling that you’re still being managed by him or her(even virtually you’re above).
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