Mischief managed: Project management for engineers (Building Upwards 2018)

A project manager ensures that a project runs smoothly, the right tickets are being prioritized, and stakeholders are kept up-to-date. Things are great when you have one, but what happens when there isn’t one, and you realize you have to be the project manager? It turns out that doing some project management work can be really fun, impactful, and rewarding! I’ll talk about what I like about project management, how to effectively lead a project, how to make sure your work is recognized, and how to decide when it’s time to drop the ball and get back to your main job.

Transcript

1. Mischief Managed
   Project Management for Engineers
   Amy Nguyen Building Upwards 2018
   @amyngyn
   

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2. Building Upwards 2018
   @amyngyn
   What do you mean by project management?
   ● All the things you have to do outside of writing code
   ○ Project briefs
   ○ Milestones and time estimates
   ○ Status tracking
   ○ Feature scoping and writing specs
   ○ Ticket management
   ○ Meeting with internal/external stakeholders
   ○ Prioritizing against other needs
   

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3. Building Upwards 2018
   @amyngyn
   What if you didn't do those tasks?
   

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4. Building Upwards 2018
   @amyngyn
   What if you didn't do those tasks?
   

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5. Building Upwards 2018
   @amyngyn
   Why me?
   In a mixed-sex group, men will hold back on
   volunteering while women in turn will volunteer to
   ensure that the task is done. But in single-sex groups,
   this changes — men and women volunteer equally.”
   Why Women Volunteer for Tasks That Don’t Lead to Promotions (HBR)
   “
   

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6. Building Upwards 2018
   @amyngyn
   Okay, fine, but how do I still get promoted?
   

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7. Building Upwards 2018
   @amyngyn
   Maintain an updated brag document.
   ● Projects and impact (what you did and why it mattered)
   ● Leadership, project management, and communication
   ● Mentorship
   ● Recruiting, brand, and outreach
   

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8. Building Upwards 2018
   @amyngyn
   Frame your work as a part of a narrative.
   "I attended some meetings and updated some docs."
   versus
   "I led the project, communicated our plans and vision to
   stakeholders, and ensured its success by tracking milestones."
   

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9. Building Upwards 2018
   @amyngyn
   Describe your work the way your friends would.
   

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10. Building Upwards 2018
    @amyngyn
    Make sure your company recognizes this type of work.
    ● What's in your levels / ladder document?
    ● How do people talk about "technical" work?
    ● How do managers get calibrated on identifying technical /
    promotable work?
    

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11. Leveling Up to Lead by Changing Their Perceptions of You (@mintlodica)
    Find a balance.
    

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12. Building Upwards 2018
    @amyngyn
    Getting promoted for project leadership
    ● Keep an updated brag document.
    ● Frame your work as a narrative.
    ● Describe your work the way your friends do.
    ● Make sure your company recognizes this type of work.
    ● Find a balance.
    

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13. Building Upwards 2018
    @amyngyn
    Recommended reading
    ● Being Glue by Tanya Reilly
    ● Leveling Up to Lead by Changing Their Perceptions of You
    by mintlodica
    ● Why Women Volunteer for Tasks That Don’t Lead to Promotions
    by Linda Babcock, Maria P. Recalde, and Lise Vesterlund
    

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14. Thanks!
    Building Upwards 2018
    @amyngyn
    

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