Greetings, Future Tech Titans! 👋

I've been reflecting lately on the challenges we face as engineering managers, especially when it comes to building resilient and efficient systems. And honestly, two concepts keep coming up: observability and platform engineering.

These aren't just buzzwords; they're the foundations for creating teams and systems that can thrive in today's complex tech landscape.

In this newsletter, I'm sharing my personal insights and lessons learned from years of experience in the trenches. Think of it as a conversation between fellow engineers, where we can explore:

• The art and science of observability: Why it's more than just collecting data (and how to make it work for YOU).

• Platform engineering as a superpower: How to build the infrastructure that empowers your developers.

• Cultivating a culture of change: Why collaboration and adaptability are key to success.

• My personal takeaways: The habits and practices that have helped me build high-performing teams.

If you're ready to take your engineering leadership to the next level, this newsletter is your guide.

Let's build better systems (and better teams) together!

Erwin Dwight

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FREE CONTENT

Mastering Resilience: The Synergy of Observability and Platform Engineering

In the fast-paced world of software development, the confluence of observability and platform engineering has emerged as a critical strategy for enhancing team performance and system reliability. As engineering managers, we navigate the complexities of scaling operations while fostering innovation, and these two disciplines offer invaluable insights into achieving this balance. Ready to be a successful leader? Let’s dive in!

FREE CONTENT

Second-order Thinking - Mental Model

”And then what?” In this article, Michal dives into the crucial role of second-order thinking in decision-making, especially for engineering managers. He shares a relatable personal experience where overlooking long-term consequences resulted in a challenging choice about canceling team meetings. Michal also introduces two handy strategies to enhance decision-making: the "And then what?" method, which helps us explore possible outcomes, and the 10-10-10 rule, designed to evaluate decisions over various time horizons.

FREE CONTENT

How do interruptions impact different software engineering activities?

The complexity of specific tasks influences the impact of interruptions. In this article, Lizzie examines research findings on the effects of interruptions on software engineers' productivity and stress encountered during various coding tasks. It concludes with actionable advice for leaders on reducing disruptive interruptions and assessing their team's productivity.

JOB BOARD 

Coming Soon!

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That’s it for this episode!

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Disclaimer: The "Tiny Big Spark" newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only, not a substitute for professional advice, including financial, legal, medical, or technical. We strive for accuracy but make no guarantees about the completeness or reliability of the information provided. Any reliance on this information is at your own risk. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect any organization's official position. This newsletter may link to external sites we don't control; we do not endorse their content. We are not liable for any losses or damages from using this information.