Summary
In this episode of Engineering Evolved, Tom Barber discusses the critical first 90 days of a modernization initiative for engineering directors. He emphasizes that success is not solely about technology but about understanding the business pain, building trust, and navigating organizational dynamics. The episode provides a week-by-week action plan, highlighting the importance of quick wins, effective communication, and avoiding common pitfalls in modernization efforts.
Takeaways
- The first 90 days will make or break your initiative.
- It's about trust, momentum, and not declaring war on allies.
- Understand the business pain that led to your hiring.
- Your job isn't to fix everything but to prove you can be trusted.
- Conduct a 10-day discovery sprint to clarify needs.
- Weeks one and two should focus on listening and mapping.
- Identify a quick win that builds credibility.
- Stay engaged during the execution of the quick win.
- Communicate your vision and reset expectations with leadership.
- Avoid common pitfalls like ignoring the human side of technology.
- (00:00) - Intro
- (00:31) - Title
- (01:13) - The Crucial First 90 Days
- (07:48) - Week-by-Week Action Plan
- (14:10) - Communicating the Vision
- (19:49) - Conclusion and Next Steps
