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Do Non-Technical Managers Add Value?

Posted by timothy on from the which-outhouse-is-uphill dept.

New submitter Kimomaru writes "Ars Technica asks, 'How does a non-technical manager add value to a team of self-motivated software developers?' IT Managers have come some way in the past decade (for some). Often derided as being, at best, unnecessary and, at worst, a complete waste of budgetary resources, managers in technology today can add significant value by shielding developers and systems engineers from political nonsense and red tape. From the article: 'Don't underestimate the amount of interaction your manager does with other departments. They handle budgets, training plans, HR paperwork. They protect the developers from getting sucked into meetings with other departments and provide a unified front for your group.'" Has that been your experience?

4 of 249 comments (clear)

  1. Valuable source of proteins but especially lipids by sideslash · · Score: 5, Funny

    Consumed in moderation, they can be part of a balanced and brain enriching diet. Personally, I am sort of a vegan when it comes to this specific item at the cafeteria, so I make it up with M&Ms and Mountain Dew.

  2. Betteridge's Law of Headlines applies by Wizworm · · Score: 4, Funny

    The answer clearly is no

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge's_law_of_headlines

    --
    I always thought of Creationism as the Raving Right's version of the Loony Left's Anthropogenic Global Warming-brightmal
  3. Acronym abuse by fiannaFailMan · · Score: 4, Funny

    Project managers come in two flavors:

    Those who put check-marks next to items on SOWs, and those who can bring people of dissimilar skill-sets together to complete a complex project.

    Those in the former should be shot.
    Those in the later should be praised.

    I assume you mean the first item on this list?

    • Statement Of Work
    • Scope Of Work
    • Special Operations Wing
    • Sign of Weakness (Wyckoff trading theory)
    • Speaking of Which
    • Schemes of Work (Department for Children, Schools and Families; UK)
    • Sound of Water
    • Suspension of Work
    • Save Our World
    • Share of Wallet
    • Spirit of the Wolf (Everquest)
    • Stand-Off Weapon
    • School-on-Wheels
    • Show Low, AZ, USA (Airport Code)
    • Superstars of Wrestling (TV Show)
    • Seal of Wisdom (gaming, world of warcraft)
    • Start of Word (computer programming)
    • Switch on Wheels (telecomunications)
    • Special Order Weapon
    • Sent on Way
    • Save Our Waterways (environmental group)
    • Source of Wealth
    • Songs of Worship
    • Subordination of Women

    Seriously, I'm getting sick of having to look up acronyms every five minutes. Why can't people just spell out WTF they're talking about these days? SMH.

    --
    Drill baby drill - on Mars
    1. Re:Acronym abuse by mythosaz · · Score: 3, Funny

      What acronym? I was referring to adult female hogs, and got the caps key stuck.