Agile software development methodologies like SCRUM have become mainstream in the industry now. Scrum is a framework which defines a set of roles and events that the team follows with a goal to deliver working software at the end of each short iterations. The framework defines 3 roles:
Delivery of Software Releases: Depending on the organizational structure, accountability of the software releases lies either on the project manager or the development manager. The development manager ensures that the Scrum team follows the release plan and the release is ready to be shipped/deployed for the customers. The project managers help with budgeting, risk management, milestone tracking and co-ordination of the releases. Although the scrum master is responsible for removing bottleneck, the person may need help from management. The manager needs to provide such help.
Staffing: The development manager makes sure that the development team is fully staffed with the right people with the right skills sets. I have found this to be truly challenging given the importance of having the team with the right team members. He/she must work with HR and recruitment department to ensure that consistent hiring process is followed.
Manage Environment and Relationships: Agile movement has changed how we develop software. Instead of the traditional command and control approach to the concept of having a self organizing team. The team commits to a sprint goal and tried to achieve it at the end of the sprint. The team decides how it wants to achieve the sprint goal. In this case, the development manager ensures that a safe and fun environment exists where creativity and innovation comes out. He/she manages the conflict and ensures effective collaboration and communication takes place within and outside the team.The development manager works with the Scrum master to build a team where people trust each other and enjoy working together.
Manage processes and practices: The development manager is responsible for instituting the process which fosters better collaboration and visibility within and outside the team. In many organizations, the scrum team is responsible for getting the software ready to be shipped. However there are separate teams for software delivery, training, operations and support. In that case it is important to have clearly defined roles and responsibilities and process in place. RACI matrix helps in defining roles and responsibilities across multiple teams.
Coaching and Performance Improvements: As mentioned in the risk management book by Tom Demarco, one of the risks to any software project is people turnover. There are two major factors that contribute to people turnover; factors that push people out and factors that pull people to other companies. There is not much that can be done about the later but the push factors can be controlled. The manager needs to invest time on coaching team members and help them with their career path. He/she needs to actively support and encourage team members, share career opportunities, describe what it takes to get promoted, offer candidate and actionable feedback and lead by example. Development manager also evaluates the performance and provides inputs for improvements.
Technology Radar: The development manager keeps in touch with the changing technology landscape. He/she doesn't need to be expert in the technology, this is best suited for architects and leads, but should be comfortable with current and upcoming technology that would impact the product. The manager tries to ensure that the team members are aware of the newer technology that would solve business problems.
Reports and Metrics: People frown when the subject of metrics come up. This is mainly because the metrics don't get used properly in organizations. Metrics when used properly provides means to make continuous improvements. This is well described in this article about use of metrics. The development manager identifies essentials metrics and reports which can not only be used to make decisions but also provide scope for continuous improvements.
This, by no means, is the complete list. However at a high level it covers the areas where the development manager should focus on, especially in an agile environment.
- Product Owner
- Scrum Master
- Team
Delivery of Software Releases: Depending on the organizational structure, accountability of the software releases lies either on the project manager or the development manager. The development manager ensures that the Scrum team follows the release plan and the release is ready to be shipped/deployed for the customers. The project managers help with budgeting, risk management, milestone tracking and co-ordination of the releases. Although the scrum master is responsible for removing bottleneck, the person may need help from management. The manager needs to provide such help.
Staffing: The development manager makes sure that the development team is fully staffed with the right people with the right skills sets. I have found this to be truly challenging given the importance of having the team with the right team members. He/she must work with HR and recruitment department to ensure that consistent hiring process is followed.
Manage Environment and Relationships: Agile movement has changed how we develop software. Instead of the traditional command and control approach to the concept of having a self organizing team. The team commits to a sprint goal and tried to achieve it at the end of the sprint. The team decides how it wants to achieve the sprint goal. In this case, the development manager ensures that a safe and fun environment exists where creativity and innovation comes out. He/she manages the conflict and ensures effective collaboration and communication takes place within and outside the team.The development manager works with the Scrum master to build a team where people trust each other and enjoy working together.
Manage processes and practices: The development manager is responsible for instituting the process which fosters better collaboration and visibility within and outside the team. In many organizations, the scrum team is responsible for getting the software ready to be shipped. However there are separate teams for software delivery, training, operations and support. In that case it is important to have clearly defined roles and responsibilities and process in place. RACI matrix helps in defining roles and responsibilities across multiple teams.
Coaching and Performance Improvements: As mentioned in the risk management book by Tom Demarco, one of the risks to any software project is people turnover. There are two major factors that contribute to people turnover; factors that push people out and factors that pull people to other companies. There is not much that can be done about the later but the push factors can be controlled. The manager needs to invest time on coaching team members and help them with their career path. He/she needs to actively support and encourage team members, share career opportunities, describe what it takes to get promoted, offer candidate and actionable feedback and lead by example. Development manager also evaluates the performance and provides inputs for improvements.
Technology Radar: The development manager keeps in touch with the changing technology landscape. He/she doesn't need to be expert in the technology, this is best suited for architects and leads, but should be comfortable with current and upcoming technology that would impact the product. The manager tries to ensure that the team members are aware of the newer technology that would solve business problems.
Reports and Metrics: People frown when the subject of metrics come up. This is mainly because the metrics don't get used properly in organizations. Metrics when used properly provides means to make continuous improvements. This is well described in this article about use of metrics. The development manager identifies essentials metrics and reports which can not only be used to make decisions but also provide scope for continuous improvements.
This, by no means, is the complete list. However at a high level it covers the areas where the development manager should focus on, especially in an agile environment.
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