Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Books to read when you transform from SWE into SWE Management?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

51–60 of 97 posts

Re: Ask HN: Books to read when you transform from SWE into SWE Management?

#51

Post by p33p »

strife25 wrote: post #32

Everyone recommends The Manager's Path, but I don't think it's a good book to explain HOW to become a manager. The book's goal is to explain the career path of a manager from tech lead to CTO. My #1 recommendation these days is "Become an Effective Software Engineering Manager" by Jamies Stanier. This book explains how to approach the work a manager is involved in and what you can expect from the day to day. Planning…

Stanier's book should be required reading for anyone becoming a people manager for the first time. I cannot recommend it enough and regularly give it to new or aspiring managers.

Re: Ask HN: Books to read when you transform from SWE into SWE Management?

#52

Post by kaycebasques »

Regarding documentation, check out Docs for Developers by Bhatti et al. The subtitle describes the book as "an engineer's field guide to technical writing" and that's exactly what the book is. It provides you a detailed step-by-step overview of what high-quality documentation process and output looks like. I've been a technical writer for 9+ years and can vouch that anyone following the blueprints laid out in that book will probably end up with significantly better docs.

Re: Ask HN: Books to read when you transform from SWE into SWE Management?

#54

Post by qiskit »

If you are replacing a previous manager, you could ask him. He'd probably give you the best recommendation tailored specifically for your office/business domain/environment. In my experience, manager's/tech lead would recommend books. But a good habit in general is to proactively look at your manager's/tech lead's library if they have one in their office.

Re: Ask HN: Books to read when you transform from SWE into SWE Management?

#55

Post by christopherbalz »

silent1mezzo wrote: post #48

The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins is an amazing book for anyone getting into management and then again whenever you move roles/companies.

+ And worth re-reading as well. Totally generic to field but definitely applicable here.

Re: Ask HN: Books to read when you transform from SWE into SWE Management?

#58

Post by jlintz »

kqr wrote: post #46

If you read nothing else, read Edwards Deming. He clearly outlines what the management philosophy of modern creative jobs must be like: - Focus on what matters. - An organisation needs an aim, a meaningful goal, that's not just "do what we have always done except better". - Don't invest in shiny things because they are shiny – investments basically cost you the interest rate on a loan, rain or shine, even on Sundays.…

What books of his would you recommend?

Re: Ask HN: Books to read when you transform from SWE into SWE Management?

#59

Post by cloverich »

elmarschraml wrote: post #25

Second the recommendations for "an elegant puzzle" and "the manager's path". Cant believe this one has not been mentioned yet: "Becoming an effective software engineering manager" by James Stanier ( https://pragprog.com/titles/jsengman/become-an-effective-sof... ) - a good book, and very specific for exactly your situation. Would also like to mention my own podcast "Ask an engineering manager" - more focused on SWEs,…

I enjoyed an Elegant Puzzle but often felt it was targeted at a step above first time management, with topics on having interview pipelines, org design, etc. But it was still a good read.

His follow up book on Staff Engineering I think is a good read for first time managers. It lays out the other leadership path, which is helpful both for understanding where you fit in and the other leadership path you can guide your reports towards, based on their trajectory and interests.

Post reply on HN