You nailed it. Too bad it is a no-win situation to groom techies to be managers.
Based on the other comments, the lack of managers conversant in technical issues is probably the root cause of the whole problem described in this article.
But the chance of successfully making the transition from techie to manager is very low, even with good management training, mentoring and the full buy-in and support of upper management. And you lose a good techie in the process.
Managing computer people is hard. Because our field is a new one, the roles and responsibilities are not clearly defined. Big problem. Throw in the typical non-technical peer managers and higher-ups who are more interested (and skilled) in playing political games than helping get things done and things start to go downhill pretty quick.
Does "depressing" count for a higher score?
Jimmy
Slashdot Mirror
You nailed it. Too bad it is a no-win situation to groom techies to be managers. Based on the other comments, the lack of managers conversant in technical issues is probably the root cause of the whole problem described in this article. But the chance of successfully making the transition from techie to manager is very low, even with good management training, mentoring and the full buy-in and support of upper management. And you lose a good techie in the process. Managing computer people is hard. Because our field is a new one, the roles and responsibilities are not clearly defined. Big problem. Throw in the typical non-technical peer managers and higher-ups who are more interested (and skilled) in playing political games than helping get things done and things start to go downhill pretty quick. Does "depressing" count for a higher score? Jimmy