Unlocking Operational Efficiency: The Human Side of Success
When it comes to operational efficiency, we often focus on the technical aspects: tooling, processes, and metrics. But what about the human side of the equation? We spoke with three engineering leaders – Jordan Smith, Sanjeev Banerji, and Amos Benninga – to uncover the secrets to building a culture of efficiency that goes beyond mere productivity.
The MVP Mindset: Balancing Speed and Quality
Jordan Smith, formerly of PillPack, emphasizes the importance of the minimum viable product (MVP) mindset. It’s not about releasing subpar products, but about rapid iteration and feedback. “It means having something out to answer questions as rapidly as possible,” he says. This approach allows teams to validate needs and make intentional decisions about investment.
Scoping Exercises: Managing Expectations
Sanjeev Banerji, VP of engineering at Ellevation Education, questions the usefulness of detailed engineering estimates. “I think they’re almost always wrong,” he says. Instead, he advocates for open communication and managing expectations. “We know that risk is constant and a certainty. How can we structure the project so that we front-load a lot of the risks?”
Your Architecture: The Foundation of Success
Amos Benninga, VP of engineering at LightForce Orthodontics, stresses the importance of building a solid architecture. “If you try to deliver quickly, you end up taking a lot of shortcuts, which then, over time, accumulate.” He advocates for a “go slow to go fast” approach, where investing in architecture pays off in the long run.
Tech Debt: A Necessary Evil?
Jordan Smith takes a pragmatic view of tech debt, seeing it as a tool to be leveraged. “I’m pretty cavalier about tech debt,” he says. However, he acknowledges that it requires careful management to avoid disappointing users and upsetting teams.
Building a Culture of Efficiency
For Amos Benninga, building a culture of efficiency starts with hiring people who enjoy doing work. “I think most developers, above all, enjoy building stuff for people,” he says. Sanjeev Banerji emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals and creating a culture of accountability through code reviews.
The Bottom Line: Happiness Matters
In the end, it’s not just about saving time and money; it’s about creating a culture where teams are happy, motivated, and fulfilled. As Jordan Smith puts it, “All of your company’s leaders want to use your engineering resources efficiently. But it’s the fact that they contribute to a culture and an environment in which teams are simply happier, more motivated, and better informed.”