"Engineer Housewife or House Husband" – a controversial title, I know. But let's move past the initial shock and delve into why this role, perhaps under a different name, could be a game-changer for tech companies.
When I joined Glean in 2020, there was a team dedicated to engineering effectiveness. It's this concept that I've recently championed, convincing my colleagues to let me revive a similar role.
The Housewife name might not be the best choice, it probably has too many negative old fashioned connotations. But think of it as providing the nourishment and support system for engineers to thrive.
Why Do We Need This?
A 'bachelor lifestyle' can look appealing - all shiny gadgets and loud music, fun but often chaotic and unsustainable. It's a breeding ground for neglect of the essential elements that keep the engineering 'house' in order.
- A messy house is hard to live in. Disorganised code and systems lead to inefficiency and frustration.
- A misplaced tool is useless. If your essential tools (or processes) are hard to find, they won't be used effectively.
- A garden needs tending. Just like code, an engineering environment needs regular maintenance to stay healthy and productive.
On the surface, it might not seem like a money-maker, which I guess is why the housewife analogy fits in so well. But consider this:
- A dirty oven causes a fire. Technical debt and system neglect can lead to catastrophic failures
- Then, a broken smoke alarm makes things worse. Without the right tools and processes in place, these failures can become disastrous
- Add in a cluttered hallway and the firemen struggle. Undermaintained code and out of date documentation can cause delay
- Meaning we then have to spend more time and money fixing the damage the fire has caused.
The role
No, you don't have to be female to fill this role, although it's interesting that both my predecessor and I are. Personally, I thrive on organising chaos and making sure other people can do what they need to, and this role is just that.
I believe it's incredibly valuable for engineering teams to have someone specifically focused on efficiency and collaboration. These are some areas I focus on there are many more:
- Maintenance: Code maintenance and existing customer support are essential. At Glean, we believe product maintenance is a shared responsibility. To make sure everyone contributes fairly and enjoys the work, I want to create an environment where tasks are completed instinctively. This is different from a “chore list”; it's about strategically positioning resources so that everyone naturally takes action.
- Developer Induction: Joining a company with a large code base can be overwhelming. Imagine moving into a shared house with a disorganised kitchen; multiple utensils for the same task, missing recipes, and ingredients that expired years ago. It will take a long time for anyone to be able to make a decent meal there. They might just “move out” to a new company.
- Reviews: Efficient and effective code reviews are essential for code quality and collaboration. We need processes in place to ensure timely feedback but also reduce context switching for engineers. If someone is painting a masterpiece in the attic they don’t want to break away at a critical point to build the new dining table midway through.
- Communication: Having multiple shopping lists shouted at you from different sources is no good for anyone. Clear and focused communication is vital for any team. It’s important for someone to develop communication channels, reducing noise but ensuring important information is heard.
By focusing on these and other key areas, the Engineer Housewife can create a well-oiled machine where engineers can focus on what they do best: building innovative products.
In conclusion
The "Engineer Housewife(s)" or "Engineering Effectiveness”, or whatever we call it, is not about cleaning up messes. This role is about creating a sustainable and efficient environment where engineers can do their best work. It's about recognising that even in the fast-paced tech world, some basic housekeeping principles still apply.
