We are now well over a year into the pandemic. As someone with a background in software development and product management, I couldn't help but notice the impact this has had on the relationship between product managers and software engineers.
Source: Forbes – Founder and CEO at Smart IT software development company. Co-founder and CTO at telehealth startup MEDvidi.
We are now well over a year into the pandemic. As someone with a background in software development and product management, I couldn’t help but notice the impact this has had on the relationship between product managers and software engineers.
All things considered, IT companies were probably better suited to going remote compared to other industries. They had already been used to remote collaboration tools before lockdowns became the order of the day. Despite that, there are still things about the relationship between engineering and product I wish I had known about earlier.
The Challenges Of The Distributed Environment
Remote work, which many employees appreciate for the flexibility it offers, becomes a handicap when not managed correctly. For distributed development teams not using these tools for daily syncs or scrums, you can forget about having a shared vision of a future software product.
While virtual tools help bridge the gap between physically sharing a working environment, at the end of the day, being productive as a distributed team is not just about buying ergonomic chairs. Managing product and engineering teams, like for many others, is also about dealing with the blurred boundaries between work and private life.
Like most, software engineers and product managers can spend time outside of work finishing up tasks, all the while managing family responsibilities.
Understanding The Impact Of The Challenges
Empathy is a crucial quality for any management professional. Unempathetic leaders, or even team leaders, are likely to miss out on insights their team members drop. In the present circumstances, it is extremely hard to remain empathetic. Virtual communication lacks the nonverbal component, which leads to detachment. While engineering is not traditionally famous for its empathy, building trust between engineers and product managers might require more effort from both sides.
Teams that do not share the same wavelength are prone to being counterproductive. The reasons can be diverse, from loss of team spirit to actual burnout. Virtual communication tends to alter how we speak, how we maintain eye contact and, most importantly, how we feel.
Due to an absence of a shared space, we are spending more time on virtual meetings. In reality, most engineers would rather be writing code.
Working With Product-Engineering Teams In The New Normal
Before Covid-19, communication between engineering and product development management was not without its pitfalls, but in the new digital normal, there are more rough edges than smooth.
As a management professional or an executive, you will be required to walk a fine line between being present and giving your team some breathing space. Ultimately, this balance will affect the final product you are developing or have developed.
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