Essential Engineering Management Books
Recently one of my friends asked for any recommendations on preparing for a transition to engineering management. Or at least getting more familiar with the role. I wrote down a list of my personal recommendations, and I thought I’d share it here also. Also I need to add that the more you read about particular topic, the more you start to notice that everything repeats and you stop learning entirely new things. That’s why it’s great to read one book, live through it for a while, then read another, catch the repetitions, and so on.
Must read
Become an Effective Software Engineering Manager: How to Be the Leader Your Development Team Needs
by James Stanier
James Stanier (Northhealth, Shopify) is just simply great. The book reads very easily and everything is written down very well. After this one, he has written a few more books for more advanced topics. He also writes a blog: theengineeringmanager.com
I also really enjoy listening to him - he has a really relieving voice. I found out about him during a conference in Berlin; his presentation was the best one there. For example, here is one of the interviews with him, but you can find more: this interview on YouTube
An Elegant Puzzle: Systems of Engineering Management
by Will Larson
Will Larson (Imprint, Carta, Calm, Stripe, Uber) has a strong name in the industry as well. I read this book right before getting hired as a manager at Nord Security, and recently I’ve read it again. When you read it before working in the role, you realize it’s really complex, you have to wear multiple hats, and nothing is clear. It would be more useful if you already had experience in it. So again, it falls into the category of books that need to be read multiple times at different stages, but it’s totally on point.
Worth reading
Resilient Management
by Lara Hogan
Very short, but super universal - not just for engineering, but for management in general.
Engineering Management for the Rest of Us
by Sarah Drasner
Focused on the engineering aspects, reads easily and quickly. Sarah Drasner works as Sr. Director of Engineering at Google, and has been at Microsoft and Netlify.
The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You
by Julie Zhuo
This one is pretty universal as well, but very popular in the genre. Julie Zhuo managed Product Design @ Facebook and wrote mostly about that experience.
The Manager’s Path: A Guide for Tech Leaders Navigating Growth and Change
by Camille Fournier
I read this one in 2019, it reviews the entire path and roles of different levels - senior, tech leads, managers, VP, CTO, etc., so it’s quite interesting. I’m a bit afraid some of the things might be slightly outdated in today’s context, but you can probably find timeless things in it. Camille Fournier is also popular in her topic to this day.
In progress
Managing Humans: Biting and Humorous Tales of a Software Engineering Manager
by Michael Lopp
Michael Lopp - Rands (Sr Director of Engineering @ Apple) is also very well known in the industry. This is totally different from all the other books mentioned there. I think once I finish this book, I’ll push it into the Top 3 next to James and Will. Real and lively stories are the best lessons. I’m also adding an interview with him: How to Manage Humans with Rands
Frictionless: 7 Steps to Remove Barriers, Unlock Value, and Outpace Your Competition in the AI Era
by Nicole Forsgren and Abi Noda
The freshest book on this entire list, maybe less about management, but otherwise it has some very good thoughts about what system, ambition, and vision one needs to have in the AI era.