how do you work with engineering manager / design / engineers? is it different when focused on developer audience?

Collaboration between product development, engineering, design, and other teams is crucial for successful product outcomes. When working with an engineering manager, design team, and engineers, the following practices can be beneficial, especially in the context of developing products for a developer audience:

1. Define Clear Objectives and Requirements:

   • Work closely with stakeholders to define clear product objectives and requirements. This includes understanding the needs of the developer audience and translating them into actionable tasks.

2. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

   • Foster a culture of collaboration and open communication between product managers, engineering managers, and designers. Encourage cross-functional team members to share insights and ideas.

   • The "triad" concept is prevalent in product development ensuring design, product, and engineering are working harmoniously.

3. User-Centered Design:

   • Prioritize user-centered design principles. Understand the needs, preferences, and pain points of the developer audience through user research.

   • Ensure that the design and development process is aligned with creating a positive user experience.

4. Agile Methodology:

   • Implement agile methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban to facilitate iterative development. This allows for quick adjustments based on feedback and changing requirements.

5. Regular Communication:

   • Schedule regular touchpoints to facilitate communication between product, engineering, and design teams. This can include sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives to address challenges and celebrate successes.

6. Prototyping and Testing:

   • Encourage the design team to create prototypes that can be tested with developers to gather early feedback. This iterative approach helps refine the product before significant development efforts are invested.

7. Prioritize Features:

   • Work collaboratively to prioritize features based on user needs and business objectives. Consider the technical feasibility and impact on development when making decisions.

8. Documentation:

   • Ensure that there is clear and accessible documentation for both developers and other stakeholders. This includes product specifications, design guidelines, and technical documentation.

9. Feedback Loops:

   • Establish feedback loops between product, design, and engineering teams. Regularly review progress, address challenges, and incorporate learnings into the development process.

10. Empower Engineers:

    • Empower engineers to contribute to the product development process by providing them with context, involving them in decision-making, and recognizing their expertise.

11. Continuous Learning:

    • Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. This includes learning from both successes and failures and using that knowledge to enhance future product development cycles.

Remember that flexibility and adaptability are key, especially when working in a fast-paced and dynamic field of developer-focused products. Regularly assess and refine your processes based on feedback and changing circumstances.