The Tech Trek

Building Better Products Through Customer-Driven Engineering

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Guest: Andrew Bihl, Co-Founder & CTO at Numeric

Overview:
In this episode, Andrew Bihl discusses how engineering teams can better integrate customer feedback into their development processes. He explores the concept of product engineering, the challenges of context switching, and how engineers can stay close to the customer while maintaining productivity. This episode is essential for tech leaders looking to create a culture where engineers are empowered to solve real customer problems.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Customer Proximity Matters:

    • Engineers should be directly exposed to customers to better understand product requirements and make informed decisions.
    • Avoiding multiple layers between engineers and customers reduces miscommunication and lost context.

    • Context Switching is Costly:

      • Interruptions during deep work can derail productivity.
      • Effective scheduling and batching of meetings minimize disruptions and maximize focus time for engineers.

      • Product Engineers Build with Ownership:

        • Product engineers should be involved from problem definition to implementation.
        • Empowering engineers with context improves their ability to make real-time product decisions.

        • Balancing Business Needs with Engineering Focus:

          • Organizations should facilitate a balance between business engagement and technical execution.
          • Cross-functional collaboration through structured processes prevents common bottlenecks.


            • Highlights:
            [00:02:26] Defining the Role of a Product Engineer
            [00:03:44] How Customer Feedback Typically Reaches Engineers
            [00:05:04] Importance of Engineers Talking Directly to Customers
            [00:06:54] Breaking the "Engineers Just Want to Code" Stereotype
            [00:08:28] Challenges of Context Switching in Engineering
            [00:13:24] Translating Engineering Work to Non-Technical Teams
            [00:15:55] Effective Collaboration Between Product Managers and Engineers
            [00:17:55] Real-World Example: How Numeric Handles Customer Feedback
            [00:20:42] Adjusting the Product Roadmap Based on Customer Insights
            [00:24:28] Managing Multiple Roles as a CTO

            Final Thought:
            Empowering engineers with a deep understanding of customer needs leads to better product development and more fulfilling careers. If you’re looking to refine your product development process and improve customer-driven engineering, this episode is packed with actionable insights.


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