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Tech Managers Tell Toolie...

Research on Managing Dev Teams

Thank you very much for making time for this survey. We know you’re working in challenging times, and your responses will help us craft a program to help you and others like you. We may reach out to you for clarification on some of your responses, if needed.

What is a software development manager? For this survey, it’s defined as someone with people who directly report to them and for whom they must conduct annual reviews. Your team may consist of only one type of tech worker, or may be a mixture (Dev, QA, Writers, PMs, etc.).
1.Please provide your First Name and Personal Email address so we can follow up with you if we have questions about your responses.(Required.)
2.What type of tech worker do you manage?(Required.)
3.How long have you been a manager? (starting the day you were first assigned direct reports)(Required.)
4.How many direct reports do you have?(Required.)
5.How much time in your most recent management training (in class or in the materials) was spent teaching you how to motivate human beings rather than on software development principles? (Hours? Minutes? A whole day?)

If you have never received management training, please explain the circumstances that prevented it.(Required.)
6.What are your biggest frustrations in being a manager? Please describe your top 1 to 3 issues.(Required.)
7.If you could change one thing about your team, what would it be?(Required.)
8.How has COVID-19 affected your team's productivity (i.e. do they deliver the same output, same rate of delivery)?(Required.)
9.We're creating training specifically for software development managers like you. Please indicate for the following topics how relevant they would be to you.(Required.)
Least relevant
Not very relevant
Neutral
Very relevant
Most Relevant
How to design and/or influence the review process to reward and motivate your team.
Why working from home during COVID-19 is different, even harder than working from home prior to now.
How to think like and talk to non-technical stakeholders (product owners, partners, customers, end-users) to get what you need.
Why Agile software development frightens upper management, and what to do about it.
What really motivates your star workers (developers/testers/PM/QA/DevOps/UX-UI/ writers/support workers) and how to avoid losing them to competitors.
How to negotiate with HR and get your team what it needs.
How to get your boss to advocate for your team and get them the resources they need.
How to write status reports that help your boss calm down and get you what you need.
What to do about less-skilled workers who are holding the team back but deserve a chance to improve.
Why managing developers and/or Dev teams seems like you're herding cats, and how to stop getting scratched.
10.What other topics would you want included in training for yourself that was not specified above?
Current Progress,
0 of 10 answered