Technical Leader – influence on software development and team work
Who is a Technical Leader? Why is this role so crucial for software development? In today’s article, Olaf, a Technical Leader involved in the development of the Production Portal, and Szymon, associated with the Dedicated Services Product Line, talk about their work.
Technical Leader is a role, not a profession
Being a Technical Leader is essentially not a profession but a role that requires combining two missions – managing a team and ensuring product development. A person in this position implements the management’s objectives, oversees the development of product lines, sets the right direction, and keeps up with technological innovations to know what is worth implementing or improving. Everyone in the team can have their own ideas and concepts for software development, which is why a person is needed to help set the right course.
In the company explitia, the functions of Technical Leaders can be divided between two main activities:
- Ensuring the development of a given product line;
- Optimal team management.
The role of the Technical Leader – benefits for an IT company
A Technical Leader is someone who possesses a cohesive vision for the development of an IT system. Thanks to this, there is no chaos in the development team, and the software is built according to a set concept. This person takes care of all the technical aspects of the IT product and continuously implements improvements. As a result, the software is constantly being refined. One could say that the Technical Leader drives the product line like an engine in an airplane.
If the Technical Leader is also responsible for coordinating the team’s work, it is within their competence to appropriately define and synchronize daily tasks. In this case, the Technical Leader can specialize people in specific tasks. As is well known, a team working with precisely defined projects contributes to work optimization, which is beneficial both for the company and later for the client – the manufacturing plant.
Benefits for the manufacturing plant
Thanks to the aforementioned “managerial engine” on which the software relies and optimal solutions, the client can be sure that they are receiving a reliable, trusted, and tested product that the leader knows inside and out. This results from the individual’s care for the highest quality and innovativeness of the product.
Proper task selection – respecting the interests and predispositions of a specific employee – affects a better atmosphere in the team, work comfort, and effective communication with the client.
It is worth noting that in a team with a ready product manufacturing process, the infrastructure of simpler projects can be used. This offers different possibilities for testing the implemented project, and as a result – does not negatively affect production continuity, but rather minimizes the need for frequent trips to the client and positively impacts the effectiveness of client visits.
Production Portal – promising trends
The Production Portal is actively developing in many fields. One idea is to enhance this product with AI algorithms and machine learning. This is becoming increasingly popular in the manufacturing industry. MES systems (Production Portal) collect large amounts of data that can be used to optimize production processes and predictive maintenance. It should be remembered that AI-based solutions require vast amounts of reliable data, preferably delivered automatically.
What characteristics should a Technical Leader have?
Important for product development:
- Creativity – the ability to come up with new features.
- Ambition – a constant desire to develop product lines and strive for perfection.
- Assertiveness – to choose the optimal, future-proof development paths among many IT solutions.
- Communicativeness – clearly conveying the vision to the management and colleagues helps invest in product development.
Important for the team:
- Objectivity.
- Empathy – one of our company’s core values.
- Composure and communicativeness, which support daily team work.
- Ability to observe the team – understanding who excels in what within the team
Technical Leader and team management
Sometimes the Technical Leader is also responsible for managing the team’s work. It is important to find a balance in this role between developing employees and achieving specific company goals. Projects are the driving force of the team and form the basis for meetings and actions. Observing the team and identifying the strengths of individual members allows for effective management of people and projects.
A Technical Leader certainly supports the development of the company and its products and helps properly synchronize the team’s work. This is an extremely creative and at the same time responsible role. On the other hand, it brings great satisfaction and allows for personal fulfillment. This role brings many benefits to the company and clients, including constant product improvements and trust in the quality of the offered solutions.
