Steve Demchuk’s observation that “platform teams win over devs with quick wins” is spot-on. Engineers appreciate seeing the results of their work quickly, and by delivering small, incremental improvements to the platform, platform teams can demonstrate their value and build trust with other engineers. This can lead to increased collaboration and support for the platform.

If you’re a platform team leader, read on to learn how you can win over your engineers with quicker wins.

The Allure of the Big Bang

With their allure of revolutionizing systems, addressing deep-seated issues, and creating a clean slate for innovation, big-bang projects often stem from valid motivations.

Technical Debt Consolidation

Years of accumulated technical debt can weigh heavily on systems. It can lead to reduced agility, increased maintenance costs, and an inability to keep up with changing business needs. Big-bang projects offer an opportunity to clear out this debt, modernize infrastructure, and improve overall system health.

Modernization

Legacy systems, built on outdated technologies, can hinder an organization’s ability to innovate and stay competitive. Upgrading these systems to modern platforms can provide significant benefits, such as improved performance, enhanced security, and access to new features and functionalities.

Consolidation

Organizations often find themselves managing a collection of disparate tools and platforms. This can lead to inefficiencies, redundancies, and a lack of data integration. Big-bang projects provide an opportunity to consolidate these tools and platforms, streamlining workflows and improving collaboration.

Efficiency

The potential for massive gains in performance or cost-efficiency is a key driver of many big-bang projects. By overhauling existing systems and processes, organizations hope to achieve significant improvements in metrics such as speed, throughput, and resource utilization. This can have a major impact on the bottom line and help organizations stay ahead of the competition.

The Pitfalls of Overemphasis on Big Bang Changes

While big-bang projects can be transformative, they carry significant risks and drawbacks that demand careful consideration before implementation:

  • Risk of Unforeseen Complications: The sheer size and complexity of big-bang projects increase the likelihood of encountering unforeseen challenges. These complications can range from technical glitches to unforeseen regulatory hurdles, potentially leading to significant delays, cost overruns, and even complete project failure.
  • Disruption to Operations: Big-bang changes often necessitate substantial downtime or disruptive migration processes. This can lead to business interruptions, lost productivity, and user frustration. Engineers may struggle to adapt to new systems and processes, while users may experience difficulties navigating the changed environment.
  • Resource Drain: Big-bang projects consume vast amounts of resources, including time, money, and personnel. These resources could be better allocated to smaller, more manageable projects that deliver incremental improvements. The extended timelines of big-bang projects also limit the ability to reallocate resources to address emerging priorities.
  • Slow Feedback Loop: The lengthy duration of big-bang changes delays valuable feedback from engineers. This feedback is crucial for identifying and addressing issues early on, enabling iterative improvements and course corrections. Without timely feedback, problems may fester and become more difficult to resolve, potentially compromising the project’s success.
  • Lack of Flexibility: Big-bang projects often lack the flexibility to adapt to changing business requirements or technological advancements. This inflexibility can lead to stranded investments and missed opportunities. Smaller, incremental changes allow organizations to respond more quickly to market dynamics and evolving customer needs.
  • Organizational Resistance: Big-bang changes can encounter resistance from employees who may be reluctant to embrace new systems and processes. This resistance can manifest in various forms, such as low morale, decreased productivity, and even sabotage. Successful implementation requires effective change management strategies to address employee concerns and foster a culture of adaptability.

The Power of Quicker Wins

Quicker wins can offer a compelling alternative to larger, long-term projects for platform teams. By focusing on smaller, incremental improvements that deliver immediate value, platform teams can reap a host of benefits.

Build Trust and Credibility

Quicker wins demonstrate responsiveness to engineers' needs, fostering a positive relationship and encouraging adoption. When engineers see that the platform team is listening to their feedback and taking action to address their pain points, they are more likely to trust and rely on the platform. This trust and credibility are essential for the long-term success of any platform.

Iterative Improvement

Rapidly delivering and gathering feedback on smaller changes allows for course correction and continuous optimization. With quicker wins, platform teams can quickly identify what works and what doesn’t and make adjustments accordingly. This iterative approach helps to ensure that the platform is constantly evolving and improving to meet the needs of engineers.

Reduced Risk

Smaller projects are inherently less risky than larger ones, allowing teams to experiment and learn without jeopardizing entire systems. This is especially important for platform teams, which are responsible for the foundation upon which all other engineering teams build. By taking a cautious approach, platform teams can minimize the risk of disruption and ensure the stability and reliability of the platform.

Motivation Boost

Achieving regular successes through quicker wins keeps team morale high and maintains momentum. When teams see that their work is making a difference and their efforts are appreciated, they are more likely to stay motivated and engaged. This can lead to increased productivity and innovation, which are essential for any successful engineering team.

Finding the Balance

Striking a balance between quicker successes and transformative initiatives is crucial for fostering innovation and maintaining team morale. How can that be achieved?

Prioritize Engineer Experience

  • Regularly solicit feedback from engineers through surveys, one-on-one discussions, and team retrospectives.
  • Understand their challenges, frustrations, and aspirations.
  • Prioritize features and enhancements that directly address their pain points and improve their daily workflows.
  • Empower engineers to suggest solutions and actively participate in the decision-making process.

Break Down Big Projects

  • Divide large-scale projects into smaller, manageable phases.
  • Each phase should have its own set of well-defined goals, deliverables, and milestones.
  • Assign clear ownership and accountability for each phase to ensure focused execution.
  • Prioritize phases that deliver immediate value and build momentum for subsequent phases.

Maintain a Backlog of Quicker Wins

  • Always have a list of smaller, achievable projects that can be completed within a shorter timeframe.
  • These projects should provide tangible benefits and address specific pain points.
  • Tackle these projects during gaps between larger initiatives to maintain a steady flow of accomplishments.
  • Celebrate even the smallest wins to boost team morale and motivation.

Celebrate Successes

  • Recognize and celebrate the achievements of both quicker wins and big-bang projects.
  • Host team gatherings, send personalized thank-you notes, or offer public recognition to individuals and teams who have contributed significantly.
  • Celebrate milestones reached and lessons learned, regardless of the project size.

Data-Driven Decisions

  • Use metrics and analytics to track the impact of both types of projects.
  • Measure key performance indicators such as customer satisfaction, adoption rates, and productivity gains.
  • Analyze the data to understand what’s working well and where improvements are needed.
  • Make informed decisions about future priorities based on data-driven insights.

Conclusion

Achieving engineer’s satisfaction, platform adoption, and business success hinges on a strategic balance between quicker wins and big-bang changes, and understanding the strengths and limitations of both approaches is crucial. Quicker wins allow for the early identification of issues, rapid experimentation, and the building of trust. On the other hand, big-bang changes can lead to significant improvements in efficiency, consistency, and scalability. 

Striking an equilibrium between the two ensures steady progress, mitigates risks, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. By carefully selecting and executing tactical quicker wins within a well-defined strategic framework, platform teams can create a sustainable path toward desired outcomes and long-term success.