Staying technical as an engineering manager

The importance of staying technical, and activities to do at work, and outside work. Also: why Amazon’s Deep Dive principle helps stay technical.

Q: “As an engineering manager, how can I stay technical when I no longer do hands-on work?”

In a previous issue, we’ve covered ways to stay hands-on as an EM or tech lead, in which we go through the hands-on work you can do. 

In today's issue, we look into ways to stay technical when you are no longer ‘at the coalface’ doing hands-on work, or doing very little of it. Today, we cover:

1. The importance of staying technical

2. Activities to do at work

3. Activities to do outside of work hours

4. Staying technical when you’re distant from the work

5. Amazon’s “Deep Dive” principle

6. Advice from managers on staying technical

1. The importance of staying technical