In my career in software engineering, I find myself in a unique position—a lower-ranking engineer with years of experience but not as many coding hours as some of my peers. Early in my career, I mistakenly believed that the sole difference between an entry-level engineer and a senior one was coding prowess. However, time and experience have revealed a more profound truth: the linchpin of expertise lies in good judgment. This personal journey has underscored the universal significance of this quality, extending far beyond software engineering.
The Unfolding Realization
Over time, my perception of what it means to be a seasoned software engineer has evolved. It’s not just about coding faster or solving complex algorithms—it’s about wielding the power of good judgment. The ability to make trade-offs, to discern where to invest effort and where to streamline processes, is the hallmark of a mature professional in just about every profession.
Good Judgment as a Universal Virtue
This realization isn’t limited to software engineering alone. It’s a theme that transcends disciplines and resonates in any field where mastery can be achieved. From artistry to entrepreneurship, from medicine to management, with mastery comes good judgment, and with experience comes mastery.
The Call for Change Management
My journey through the echelons of software engineering brought me face to face with the significance of “change management.” Change management is a systematic approach to navigating the transformation of an organization’s goals, processes, or technologies – in this specific case, it’s a documented approach to deploying code changes to production system. Even for seemingly small changes, the meticulous steps of testing, notification, and monitoring become imperative. It’s about more than just the immediate result—it’s about safeguarding the broader ecosystem.
Navigating the Small Changes Conundrum
Consider the scenario of correcting a minor typo—a seemingly trivial task. Why go through the motions of building and running tests for such a small alteration? The answer lies in the perspective. It’s not solely about fixing the typo; it’s about considering the ripple effect, notifying stakeholders, and preventing potential outages during deployment.
The Wisdom of Trade-offs
As I advocated for a robust change management system within my teams, I realized that sometimes, the process may appear wasteful since there’s very little risk to mitigate. Sometimes I’m caught between doing things the “right way” and doing things “the company way.” In these cases, I’m glad to rely on my more seasoned peers for guidance. Maturity and experience have granted them the wisdom to discern when to embrace the full process and when to streamline (skip parts of) it. Good judgment is the immeasurable essence that dictates whether a trade-off is worthwhile. The more experience I have, the better I’m able to make these calls as well.
The Admiration for Good Judgment
I’ve come to admire those who possess the ability to assess trade-offs, exercise good judgment, and shoulder the risks associated with their decisions. These professionals embody the wisdom that experience bestows, and they have the capacity to get the job done efficiently while safeguarding against unforeseen consequences.
Conclusion
Navigating my path through the world of software engineering, I’ve uncovered the transformative power of good judgment. It’s a quality that transcends titles and positions, evolving with experience and practice. As I continue to advocate for change management and navigate the small changes conundrum, I am reminded that good judgment is the compass that guides us through the intricacies of our chosen fields. It’s an art that I strive to cultivate every day, acknowledging that with mastery comes good judgment, and with experience comes mastery—a virtuous cycle of growth and insight.
-Ryan
