When working on a new project, we engineers almost always start with the most fascinating part. But, while it’s exciting for us, it’s not always what’s best for the project.
The easiest way to become an effective lead/manager is to break down the project into tasks and prioritize the most important items. So, it is always a good idea that before the work begins, step back and ask
- what is the most critical piece?
- which items are highest risk and need early attention?
- which deliverables provide the most immediate value?
We naturally gravitate towards easily doable, less impactful, and tangential parts of the project. This happens because of a lack of a broader context. So, if you are leading a project, make sure,
- define a clear roadmap and align it with business outcomes
- define milestones and priorities
A good leader doesn’t micromanage but ensures that the team starts on the right foot. Check-in periodically to ensure the alignment while giving engineers ownership of their tasks.
Prioritization is what separates effective leads from those simply managing tasks. As a lead, you are not just there to oversee execution but to set the direction.