Some questions to go to your management with
Connecting your technical output to business outcome
Hi friends,
One of the takeaways from this talk I’m going to do about Business Fundamentals and Commercial Awareness for Techies is to be curious and start asking questions (even to yourself) about how your technical work and artifact relate to business outcome.
So I thought it’s a helpful addition to share a list of questions that the participants can take back and use to ask their team and management.
This is not the typical newsletter post I’d do but I think it’s useful to share it here so more people can use it.
One tip is: don’t overdo it, don’t come on too strong, go slow, feel the room and be genuinely curious about the answer. Because frankly, I bet not many of you have management / leadership teams who are as thoughtful, competent, and can actually answers most of these Qs. So asking too intensely eagerly could seem like an attack and perceived as a handful — I’m sure you can imagine.
Company-Level Questions
What are the key business objectives for this quarter/year?
Understanding the company’s strategic goals helps engineers align their projects with these objectives. This clarity can guide prioritisation and resource allocation, ensuring that technical work contributes directly to overarching business aims.
How does our team’s work contribute to revenue generation or cost savings?
By asking this, engineers can gain insight into how their technical contributions translate into financial impacts. This awareness encourages them to focus on features that drive revenue or reduce expenses, making their work more meaningful.
Who are our main competitors, and what differentiates us in the market?
Knowing the competitive landscape can help engineers understand the importance of developing unique features or improving existing ones. It can inspire innovation and motivate teams to create solutions that set the company apart.
What is the long-term vision for our product, and how do we see it evolving in the market?
Understanding the long-term vision provides context for day-to-day tasks. Engineers can align their work with the broader product strategy and anticipate future needs or changes, fostering proactive rather than reactive development.
How do we measure customer satisfaction, and what role does our technology play in that?
This question helps engineers understand how their work influences customer experience. It encourages them to consider user feedback and satisfaction in their development process, driving improvements that enhance user loyalty.
What are the primary risks facing our business, and how can our team help mitigate those risks?
Knowing the risks allows engineers to understand the business context better and develop solutions that address these challenges. This proactive approach can lead to innovations that help the company navigate uncertainties.
Team-Level Questions
What metrics do we use to measure our team’s success?
Understanding team metrics (like velocity, bug resolution time, or user satisfaction scores) allows engineers to see how their work contributes to team performance. This can encourage them to take ownership of their tasks and strive for improvements.
How do team projects align with customer needs and feedback?
This question helps engineers learn how customer input shapes the team’s priorities. Recognising this connection can foster a user-centric mindset, encouraging engineers to focus on features that provide real value to users.
What challenges are our team facing that could hinder achieving our goals?
Identifying team challenges helps engineers understand the context of their work and the potential impact of their contributions. It can prompt collaboration to address these challenges, leading to more effective solutions.
What are the current priorities for our team, and how can I contribute to those priorities?
This question helps engineers understand where to focus their efforts and how they can add the most value. It encourages collaboration and ensures that individual contributions align with team goals.
How does our team’s performance impact the overall success of the company?
By grasping the connection between team performance and company success, engineers can appreciate the significance of their work and be motivated to improve their contributions.
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives where you think my skills could be particularly beneficial?
This question shows initiative and a willingness to contribute to strategic projects. It can lead to greater involvement in impactful initiatives, further integrating the engineer into the business’s fabric.
Individual-Level Questions
Could you help me understand better how my work connects with business impact? How do you measure it now? / Mau ngobrolin gimana kerjaan saya ngaruh ke bisnis? Sekarang ngukurnya gimana ya?
What business KPI are you thinking this can tie this into? / Kira-kira KPI bisnis apa yang diharapkan bisa terdampak dari pekerjaan ini?
What specific impact do you see my recent projects having on the team’s objectives?
This question invites direct feedback from management about an engineer’s contributions. It helps them understand their value within the team and encourages them to align future work with team goals.
What skills or knowledge should I focus on developing to better support our business objectives?
Asking this shows a willingness to grow and adapt to business needs. It encourages a dialogue about personal development, linking individual performance to broader team and company goals.
How can I better communicate my work’s value to non-technical stakeholders?
This question promotes the idea that engineers should articulate their contributions in business terms. It encourages a mindset shift, enabling them to engage with a wider audience and showcase their work’s impact effectively.
Can you provide examples of how past engineering projects have impacted the company’s performance?
Learning from past projects helps engineers understand successful strategies and avoid common pitfalls. It provides tangible examples of the business impact of engineering work.
What feedback do you have on my recent projects in terms of business alignment and outcomes?
Direct feedback allows engineers to understand how their work aligns with business objectives. It also opens a dialogue about improvements and encourages a continuous learning mindset.
How do you envision the role of engineering evolving in our company as we grow?
This question helps engineers anticipate changes in their roles and responsibilities. It allows them to prepare for future challenges and align their career development with the company’s trajectory.
Cross-Level Questions
What other departments do we collaborate with, and how can we enhance that collaboration?
Understanding inter-departmental dynamics helps engineers see how their work impacts other areas of the business. It promotes a collaborative mindset and opens up avenues for innovation through cross-functional teamwork.
How can we ensure that the technical debt we incur does not impact our business objectives?
This question acknowledges the balance between speed and quality in development. By addressing technical debt, engineers can ensure that their work remains sustainable and doesn’t hinder future business performance.
What role do data and analytics play in shaping our product decisions?
Understanding the importance of data can help engineers incorporate analytics into their development process, leading to more informed decisions and product enhancements that align with market demands.