Agnaldo Oliveira’s Post

"Context-switching - tips and tricks from the trenches" A recommended read https://lnkd.in/gDxtHadC by Gregor Ojstersek and Eugene Shulga They share tips on mitigating context-switching from a career path as a software engineer, manager and manager of managers. Software Engineer: - Prioritize tasks and avoid multitasking. - Block time in your calendar for focused work. - Schedule time to address ad-hoc requests. Engineering Manager: - Take notes before switching tasks to avoid attention residue. - Schedule time for shallow work when your energy is low. - Block out days with no meetings for deep focus work. Manager of Managers: - Constantly evaluate urgent and important tasks. - Build strong habits to automate processes and reduce decision fatigue. #softwareengineering #programming #productivity

An excellent article to be read by leaders. Covers on how to manage time and work and this is the day to day work if you are a leader. * Suggested read for new leaders.

Why are your best engineers thinking about leaving you? Your best engineers have a far-reaching impact on the feel of your culture, the quality of your product and systems as well as ultimately, your company's bottom line. They’re usually the ones responsible for driving creativity and innovation. Their focus on continuous improvement uplifts the abilities of those around them. Their attention to detail ensures you’ve got well designed, well-written code supported by great documentation. Their ability to balance fun and cool tech with the importance of customer-centricity means you’re able to deliver great products to market. And usually, they’re a lot of fun to work with. So when you lose them, you feel it. So why do your best engineers leave? There’s no one to learn from The best people live in fear of stagnation. That innate drive to learn new things and infectious curiosity is a double-edged sword. It’s what makes them great, but it’s what makes them hard to keep. Ask yourself… How long have they been working on the same product? When was the last time you talked to them about their skills development? Have you got a training and development program for them? Do you provide a budget or access to learning resources? More often than not, it’s solving new problems that keeps them engaged and innovation is the name of the game. Different products. Different markets. Different customers. Change something. You’re not progressing them It doesn’t always have to mean people leadership, quite often it’s not what your top performers want. But they do want to feel like they’re advancing. And you can get more creative than just Senior or Lead roles. Is there an opportunity to become a subject matter expert in a particular area? Can you involve them in more cross-functional development? You are progressing them It can be tempting to put your best engineers into leadership roles. So many engineers fall into this trap, but it requires a different skillset. The less time they spend hands-on with tech, the less engaged they are and so job satisfaction drops. Stepping back into an individual contributor role can feel like a step back and sometimes mentally, it’s easier to just jump ship. Money For god's sake, pay them what they deserve. If you haven’t realised undercutting the market is a short-sighted strategy, there is no hope for you. 

Tips to Increase Productivity! 📊 As software engineers, our productivity directly impacts the quality and timeliness of our work. Here are six tips to help boost your productivity and excel in your software development journey. 🚀 • Prioritize Tasks: 📝 Identify and focus on high-priority tasks that align with your project goals. • Time Management: ⏳ Allocate specific blocks of time for coding, debugging, and meetings. This can help maintain focus during work sprints and ensure regular breaks. • Continuous Learning: 💻 Stay updated with the latest technologies and best practices in software development. Allocate time for learning new languages, frameworks, or tools that can enhance your skill set. • Code Reviews: 👨💻 Regularly participate in and conduct code reviews. This helps maintain code quality, fosters collaboration and prevents potential issues from escalating. • Automate Routine Tasks: 🤖 Automate repetitive and routine tasks using scripts or tools. This not only saves time but also reduces the chances of human error. • Take Breaks: 😌 Regular breaks are essential for maintaining mental clarity and preventing burnout. Step away from your desk, stretch, or take a short walk to refresh your mind. Implementing these tips can significantly improve your productivity as a software engineer, leading to more efficient and successful projects. Feel free to share these tips with your network and empower each other to achieve greater heights in our software engineering careers! 🚀 #SoftwareEngineer #ProductivityTips #TimeManagement #Coding #ContinuousLearning #CodeReviews #Automation #Breaks #Efficiency #SoftwareDevelopment #TechSkills #TaskManagement #Programming #DeveloperLife #SoftwareProjects #CareerGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #ProgrammingTips #CodeQuality #DeveloperTools

Building an Excellent Software Engineering Culture In today’s fast-paced tech landscape, cultivating an outstanding software engineering culture is pivotal for innovation and success. Here are a few principles I’ve found invaluable in my journey: 1. Embrace Continuous Learning: Encourage your team to stay curious and keep learning. Invest in training, provide access to resources, and promote knowledge-sharing sessions. 2. Foster Collaboration: Break down silos and encourage cross-functional teamwork. Use collaborative tools and create an environment where every voice is heard. 3. Prioritize Quality: Implement rigorous code reviews, adopt best practices, and automate testing processes. Quality should never be compromised. 4. Encourage Ownership: Empower engineers to take full ownership of their projects. This fosters accountability and drives better outcomes. 5. Support Work-Life Balance: A healthy work-life balance is crucial for sustained productivity and creativity. Flexible working hours and remote work options can make a big difference. 6. Cultivate Diversity and Inclusion: Diverse teams bring diverse perspectives, leading to better problem-solving and innovation. Ensure that your hiring practices and workplace culture are inclusive. 7. Celebrate Success and Learn from Failures: Recognize achievements, no matter how small, and create a safe space for learning from mistakes. This builds a resilient and motivated team. Building an excellent software engineering culture is an ongoing journey. It requires dedication, empathy, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Let’s create environments where engineers can thrive and drive the next wave of technological advancements! #SoftwareEngineering #TechCulture #ContinuousImprovement #Leadership #Innovation

🌟 The Role of a Product Engineer 🌟 In the dynamic world of software development, the Product Engineer emerges as a key player. Here's a glimpse into their multifaceted role: 🔍 More Than Code: A Product Engineer navigates beyond coding. They oversee the entire lifecycle of a software product, balancing technical expertise with a keen eye on the overall vision. 🛠️ Integrating Skills: Bridging engineering with design and user experience, they blend these elements with insightful business understanding. 📈 Strategic Influence: Their role isn't confined to technical aspects alone. Product Engineers are deeply involved in shaping the product's direction, informed by market trends and business needs. 💡 Design Thinking & Planning: It's not just about coding practices; it's about strategic planning, design decisions, and thinking from the user's perspective. 🤝 Client Interaction: Regular interactions with clients and stakeholders are crucial. They gather requirements and insights to tailor solutions that truly resonate. 🎯 Aligning with Objectives: Ensuring the final product aligns with business goals and user needs is their forte, making them an invaluable asset to any team. 🚀 Driving Innovation: Product Engineers are at the heart of innovation, championing user-centric design and functionality. They are pivotal in melding market demands with technical excellence, streamlining integration across the product development stages. Incorporate a Product Engineer in your team, and witness how they transform challenges into opportunities, driving your product from concept to a market-fit marvel. #ProductEngineering #SoftwareDevelopment #Innovation #UserCentric #DesignThinking #StrategicPlanning #Teamwork #TechLeadership #EngineeringExcellence #BusinessGrowth

3 Essential Tips for QEs When Handling a Difficult Developer Quality Engineering (QE) and development are essential to software success, but friction can sometimes arise when dealing with difficult developers. Here’s how to handle these challenges effectively. 1. Communicate Clearly and Empathetically Understand the pressures developers face, and approach conversations with empathy to foster openness. Avoid jargon and ensure clarity to align expectations. Document discussions to maintain accountability and have a reference point in case of disagreements. 2. Align on Common Goals Both QEs and developers share the goal of delivering quality software. Remind everyone involved of this shared objective. When issues arise, work together to find solutions, focusing on problem-solving rather than blame. Celebrate joint successes to reinforce the importance of teamwork. 3. Stay Professional and Patient It's essential not to take friction personally. Keep interactions calm and focused on the task at hand. If a developer's behavior becomes unprofessional, address it respectfully but firmly, setting necessary boundaries. If conflicts persist, consider involving a mediator to facilitate resolution. Bonus: Fostering Mutual Respect and Collaboration Quality Engineers are vital contributors to the development process and should be respected as such. Early and ongoing collaboration between QEs and developers builds mutual respect and improves software quality. Advocate for a cultural shift where QE contributions are valued equally, fostering a more collaborative and respectful work environment. By emphasizing clear communication, collaboration, and professionalism, QEs can effectively manage difficult developers and contribute to a culture of mutual respect and teamwork. #QualityEngineering #SoftwareDevelopment #TechCollaboration #QETips #DeveloperRelations #TeamworkInTech #ProfessionalGrowth #SoftwareQuality #TechCulture #MutualRespect #QESuccess #DevAndQE #TechLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #CollaborationMatters

The transition to Engineering Manager from a Software Engineer is not always easy. What can you expect from it? It is challenging but also rewarding because you build, lead, and mentor teams of engineers and coordinate them in the successful delivery. To ease your transition process we’ve put together an actionable guide that can be used right away. ⬇️ #engineeringmanagement #softwareengineer