Session 6.3 - Development Manager Role
Chapter 12: Development Manager | Duration: 1 hr
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
- State development manager goals and measures
- Ensure product quality and effective use of team skills
- Coordinate design/implementation across components
- Work with quality and planning managers on data and status
Introduction
The development manager owns product quality and the effective use of engineers’ skills. This role bridges technical execution and team coordination for the product.
Goals & Measures
| Goal | Measures |
|---|---|
| Produce a superior product | Defect density, inspection/test yields, usability feedback |
| Fully use team skills | Task assignments aligned to strengths; pairing/mentoring usage |
Responsibilities
- Coordinate component designs and interfaces with the team.
- Track quality status; collaborate with quality/process manager.
- Support planning manager with realistic status/risks.
- Drive resolution of technical blockers.
Product Quality Focus
- Ensure inspections are done and effective (check yields).
- Promote thorough unit/integration tests before system test.
- Monitor defect trends; push prevention vs. late fixes.
Using Team Skills
- Assign work to leverage strengths and grow weaker areas.
- Encourage pairing/mentoring on tricky components.
- Rebalance tasks if overload or skill mismatch appears.
Summary
- Development manager ensures product quality and uses the team’s skills wisely.
- Coordinates design/implementation across components and interfaces.
- Works closely with quality and planning roles on data, risks, and status.
- Prevention-focused: inspections, tests, and proactive risk handling.