ENGINEERING STRATEGY: MORE THAN JUST CODE

I recently attended an engineering networking event with tech leaders and the discussion inevitably turned to engineering strategy. I remember when I first started out being daunted at the thought of creating an engineering roadmap. Over the years I’ve thankfully gained some experience and clarity. So what is an engineering strategy and more importantly, why do we need it?  

An engineering strategy is much more than just coding, it's about aligning your engineering efforts with your company's overall business goals. At a base level there are some clear steps to take when you are looking to create your strategy:

1. Assess - Start by taking a snapshot of your current tech landscape. This includes evaluating your tools, processes and the resources you have.
2. Set Goals - What are you looking to achieve? Is it launching a new product, improving customer experience, or scaling your operations? These goals all shape your strategy.
3. Create a Roadmap - Based on your assessment and goals, create a detailed plan. This might involve upgrading existing systems, developing new features, optimising workflows or all of the above.
4. Resource Allocation - Equip your team with the right tools, talent and time to execute the plan.
5. Establish a Framework - This will ensure that the strategy is executed in line with the company’s goals. Define responsibilities, establish decision making processes and create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Having a clear engineering strategy in place will allow you to prioritise initiatives and pivot quickly if necessary. It will improve collaboration and communication and confirm that your development team is working towards the same goals as the rest of the company. It will minimise resource waste and guarantee your technology is driving profitability.