The World Builder Framework — with Aadil Maan (Humane)
Feb 1, 2024
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Aadil Maan, Lead Engineering Program Manager at Humane and a big tech veteran, talks about the World Builder Framework, startups vs big tech, hardware vs software, and joining a new team. They discuss the role of technical program management, the importance of a jack of all trades, and the complexity of issue management. They also explore mixing and matching frameworks for customizable solutions and the importance of understanding people and the tech stack.
Technical program managers build relationships with influential individuals in organizations to facilitate effective collaboration and problem-solving.
The World Builder Framework combines experiences from software and hardware to solve problems through the lenses of environment, people, and physics.
Mixing different frameworks allows technical program managers to create bespoke solutions by adapting and experimenting for the best problem-solving outcomes.
Deep dives
The Role of Technical Program Managers
Technical program managers are leaders without authority who play a vital role in organizations. They are responsible for identifying influential individuals within the company and building relationships with them. This is achieved through coffee chats with employees to understand their backgrounds, experiences, and strengths. By mapping out the people landscape, technical program managers can then build a map of the technology stack and how it aligns with the individuals. This allows them to understand the company's key players and their expertise, facilitating effective collaboration and problem-solving.
The World Builder Framework
Adil Mann developed the World Builder Framework, a problem-solving approach that combines experiences from working on software and hardware at major tech companies. The framework emphasizes the importance of looking at problems through three lenses: environment, people, and physics. By considering the environmental context, such as wartime or peacetime, organizations can determine the best approach to problem-solving. Understanding the dynamics of the people involved, whether they are hedgehogs or foxes, helps to navigate decision-making. Lastly, focusing on the systems of work, measure, and decisions enables effective problem-solving and alignment within the organization.
Mixing Frameworks and Anti-Frameworks
Adil highlights the potential of mixing different frameworks to create something bespoke for specific problems. By taking elements from various frameworks, technical program managers can tailor solutions to address the unique challenges they face. This approach requires a deeper understanding of the company's environment, people, and physics, and involves being open to experimentation and adaptation. The goal is to find the right balance and combination of frameworks that yields the best outcomes for problem-solving and process optimization.
Optimizing Processes in Startups vs. Big Tech
Startups and big tech companies have different priorities and challenges when it comes to process optimization. Startups often operate with a sense of urgency and the need to be fast-moving to gain a competitive advantage. This necessitates a focus on experimentation, quick decision-making, and adapting processes to achieve rapid results. On the other hand, big tech companies can leverage their resources and organizational stability to prioritize thoughtfulness, ensuring that products and features are thoroughly developed and aligned with long-term goals. Both approaches have their own advantages and considerations, and finding the right balance between speed and thoughtfulness is key.
The Importance of People and Conversations
When joining a new team, Adil's first priority is to have conversations with as many people as possible. By getting to know the individuals within the organization, their roles, expertise, and perspectives, technical program managers gain valuable insights into the team's dynamics and the company's culture. These conversations help build relationships, establish trust, and identify centers of power, which are crucial for influencing without authority. Understanding the people landscape sets the foundation for effective collaboration and problem-solving.
Aadil Maan is Lead Engineering Program Manager at Humane and a big tech veteran, having worked at the likes of Google, Apple, and Blackberry.
Today’s theme is The World Builder Framework — Aadil's own approach to problem solving and solutioning processes, frameworks and workflows for product and engineering teams.
Here are a few things we discussed in our chat:
What do TPMs do? 🗺️
The World Builder Framework 🌎
Startups vs Big Tech 🏢
Hardware vs Software 🤖
Joining a new team 🎽
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This episode is brought to you by LinearB, the software engineering intelligence platform enabling engineering leaders improve their team’s operational efficiency, and align R&D investments to business goals.
