Engineering operations enhance engineer output and satisfaction through cultural and organizational improvements.
Asana's EngOps team focuses on people-centric programs, business operations, and software development initiatives.
EngOps measures effectiveness with metrics like pull requests per user and focuses on driving cultural shifts.
Deep dives
Definition of Engineering Operations
Engineering operations is a function in engineering organizations that ensures processes and systems exist to optimize the work environment and output of the organization. It focuses on improving engineers' experience, effectiveness, efficiency, and engagement.
Key Focus Areas of Engineering Operations Team at Asana
The Engineering Operations team at Asana primarily focuses on three key areas: people-centric programs, business operations, and software development lifecycle initiatives. People-centric programs include engineering onboarding and interview experience, while business operations involve systems, processes, and standards for efficiency. Software development focuses on driving horizontal programs like accessibility efforts.
Comparison with Dev Prod or Dev Experience Teams
Engineering operations, such as the team at Asana, works closely with developer effectiveness and developer efficiency teams, but focuses more broadly on organizational systems and cultural levers. While traditional dev teams manage tool chains and workflows, engineering operations looks at strategic cultural shifts and organizational efficiencies to enhance engineer output and satisfaction.
Evolution and Adoption of Engineering Operations
The adoption of engineering operations within organizations is growing due to factors like scarcity of engineering talent, optimizing engineering roles, and aligning work with engineers' skill sets. The evolving nature of organizations and the need for centralized cultural and organizational improvements are driving the emergence and importance of engineering operations.
Metrics and Cultural Levers in Engineering Operations
Engineering operations measures effectiveness through metrics like pull requests per active GitHub user, engineer focus time, hiring efficiency, and build cycle times. Cultural levers like structured feedback mechanisms, ownership framework, and continuous improvement forums are key in shaping and enhancing organizational culture and effectiveness.
In this episode Abi Noda speaks with Ryan Atkins, Asana’s Head of Engineering Operations. They talk about the role of EngOps and when it’s needed, founding an EngOps team, how these teams work in large companies, and more.
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