Defined Engineering: Navigating Common Problems at Level 3
Published: 2023-03-02 16:17:54

As a developer, you know that your success depends on your ability to work well in a team. However, working in a team can be challenging when the team's processes are undefined, inconsistent, or not well-communicated. This is where the concept of Defined Engineering comes in.

According to a survey by McKinsey & Company, organizations with well-defined processes in place are more likely to have successful technology transformations. The study found that companies that had established best practices for software development, testing, deployment, and maintenance had higher success rates in digital transformations.

## What is Defined Engineering?
Defined Engineering is a level of development maturity where teams have well-defined processes in place and can consistently produce high-quality work. The focus at this level is on establishing consistent practices for software development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

According to a survey by the DevOps Institute, only 28% of respondents reported that their organizations had a well-defined and agreed-upon set of processes and practices for software delivery.

At Level 3: Defined Engineering, teams have a good understanding of their processes, roles, and responsibilities, and they can effectively manage their resources. However, there are still common problems that can arise, including:
- Limited collaboration and feedback: Team members work in silos and do not provide feedback to one another.
- Lack of continuous improvement initiatives: The team does not actively seek out ways to improve their processes.
- Difficulty in managing technical debt: The team struggles to balance the need to address technical debt with the need to produce new work.

## Role of Engineering Managers
Engineering managers play a crucial role in ensuring that the team operates at Level 3. They must set expectations for high-quality work, provide guidance on process improvements, and promote a culture of continuous learning.

According to a survey by Hired, 61% of developers reported that a good manager is the most important factor in job satisfaction. An engineering manager who prioritizes feedback and professional development can help create a positive and engaging work environment.

To address the common problems that can arise at this level, engineering managers must promote collaboration and feedback among team members. They can encourage cross-functional teams, hold regular stand-up meetings, and foster a culture of open communication.

According to a survey by Atlassian, teams that collaborate effectively are 1.9 times more likely to exceed their goals. Collaboration and feedback are essential for creating a positive work environment and achieving successful outcomes.

Engineering managers must also establish continuous improvement initiatives by creating a culture of experimentation and actively seeking out ways to improve processes. This can be achieved by setting up regular retrospectives, encouraging innovation days, and providing opportunities for professional development.

To manage technical debt more effectively, engineering managers must prioritize addressing technical debt in a structured way. This can be achieved by setting up a technical debt backlog, prioritizing technical debt items, and incorporating technical debt work into the team's regular sprint planning.

## How Defined Engineering Affects Motivation, Productivity, and Growth of Developers
The lack of collaboration and feedback, the absence of continuous improvement initiatives, and the struggle to manage technical debt can all impact the motivation, productivity, and growth of developers.

According to a survey by Gallup, 85% of employees are not engaged or are actively disengaged at work. When team members work in silos, they may feel isolated and undervalued. They may also miss opportunities for learning and growth. This can lead to disengagement and a decline in productivity.

According to a survey by the DevOps Institute, companies that prioritize continuous learning and development are 1.5 times more likely to have high-performing teams. When the team does not actively seek out ways to improve processes, they may miss out on opportunities for innovation and efficiency gains. This can lead to a stagnation in the team's growth and can impact motivation and productivity.

When the team struggles to manage technical debt, they may find it challenging to balance the need to address technical debt with the need to produce new work. This can lead to a build-up of technical debt, which can impact the quality of the team's work and slow down the team's progress.

## Solutions for Problems of Defined Engineering
To promote collaboration and feedback, teams can encourage team members to work together and provide feedback to one another. This can be achieved by creating cross-functional teams, holding regular stand-up meetings, and fostering a culture of open communication.

According to a survey by McKinsey & Company, companies that prioritize collaboration and communication are 1.5 times more likely to outperform their peers. Collaboration and feedback are essential for creating a positive work environment and achieving successful outcomes.

To establish continuous improvement initiatives, teams can create a culture of experimentation and actively seek out ways to improve processes. This can be achieved by setting up regular retrospectives, encouraging innovation days, and providing opportunities for professional development.

According to a survey by the DevOps Institute, teams that prioritize continuous improvement are 1.8 times more likely to have high-performing teams. By establishing a culture of continuous improvement, teams can achieve better outcomes and drive growth.

To manage technical debt more effectively, teams can prioritize addressing technical debt in a structured way. This can be achieved by setting up a technical debt backlog, prioritizing technical debt items, and incorporating technical debt work into the team's regular sprint planning.

According to a survey by the Consortium for IT Software Quality, companies that prioritize technical debt management are 2.6 times more likely to be high-performing. By addressing technical debt in a structured way, teams can improve the quality of their work and speed up their progress.

## Risks of not addressing problems at Defined Engineering Level

The risks of not addressing Defined Engineering include developers becoming disengaged due to lack of feedback and recognition. When developers work in silos and do not receive feedback, they may feel undervalued and isolated, which can lead to disengagement and a decline in productivity. This can have a significant impact on the team's success and can lead to increased turnover and difficulty in hiring and retaining top talent.

According to a survey by LinkedIn, the cost of losing a software developer can be as high as 213% of their salary. By failing to address the common problems that arise at Level 3, teams may find it challenging to retain their top talent, which can have significant financial implications.

Furthermore, the lack of continuous improvement initiatives can lead to a stagnation in the team's growth and can impact motivation and productivity. The team may miss out on opportunities for innovation and efficiency gains, which can impact the quality of the team's work and the team's ability to keep up with the pace of change in the industry.

According to a survey by the DevOps Institute, teams that do not prioritize continuous improvement are 2.2 times more likely to have low-performing teams. By failing to establish a culture of continuous improvement, teams may find it challenging to keep up with the pace of change and may struggle to achieve successful outcomes.

Finally, the struggle to manage technical debt can impact the quality of the team's work and slow down the team's progress. Technical debt can make it more challenging to implement new features, fix bugs, and maintain existing code, which can lead to longer release cycles and a decline in customer satisfaction.
According to a survey by the Consortium for IT Software Quality, companies that do not prioritize technical debt management are 2.7 times more likely to be low-performing. By failing to manage technical debt effectively, teams may find it challenging to maintain the quality of their work and may struggle to keep up with the demands of the business.

## Conclusion
Defined Engineering is a critical level in a team's development journey, and it can significantly impact the motivation, productivity, and growth of developers. To succeed at this level, teams must promote collaboration and feedback, establish continuous improvement initiatives, and manage technical debt effectively. Engineering managers play a crucial role in setting expectations for high-quality work, providing guidance on process improvements, and promoting a culture of continuous learning.

According to a survey by Puppet, high-performing teams are twice as likely to have a manager who is perceived as supportive and who enables autonomy. By prioritizing feedback and professional development, engineering managers can help create a positive and engaging work environment that drives team success.

By addressing the common problems that arise at this level and prioritizing the growth and development of team members, teams can set themselves up for success at higher levels and achieve long-term success. According to a survey by McKinsey & Company, organizations that successfully achieve digital transformation are 1.8 times more likely to be top performers in their industries.

In summary, Defined Engineering is a critical level in a team's development journey, and it is essential to ensure that teams have well-defined processes in place to produce high-quality work consistently. By addressing the common problems that arise at this level and prioritizing the growth and development of team members, teams can set themselves up for success at higher levels and achieve long-term success. The role of engineering managers is crucial in promoting collaboration and feedback, establishing continuous improvement initiatives, and managing technical debt effectively to create a positive work environment that drives team success.

#### Read about the other levels:
- [Level 1. Ad Hoc Engineering: Problems, Risks, and Solutions](https://blog.getace.io/all-posts/ad-hoc-engineering-problems-risks-and-solutions)
- [Level 2. Repeatable Engineering: Promoting Consistency and Quality in Dev Team](https://blog.getace.io/all-posts/repeatable-engineering-promoting-consistency-and-quality-in-dev-team)
- [Level 4. Managed Engineering: Empowering Teams with Data-Driven Decision Making](https://blog.getace.io/all-posts/managed-engineering-empowering-teams-with-data-driven-decision-making)
- [Level 5. Optimized Engineering: The Key to Unlocking the Potential of Your Development Team](https://blog.getace.io/all-posts/optimized-engineering-the-key-to-unlocking-the-potential-of-your-development-team)