The greatest value an engineering manager can provide is to run interference with the other managers; to protect their team from outside interruptions, changes and demands.
The best engineering managers can push back against changes with specific estimates of how much the changes will increase the budget and delay the deadline.
Of course, some changes are inevitable. But core business doesn't change that fast. It is the vanity of other managers that often introduces demands with no underlying benefit to the business.
Comments
The greatest value an engineering manager can provide is to run interference with the other managers; to protect their team from outside interruptions, changes and demands.
The best engineering managers can push back against changes with specific estimates of how much the changes will increase the budget and delay the deadline.
Of course, some changes are inevitable. But core business doesn't change that fast. It is the vanity of other managers that often introduces demands with no underlying benefit to the business.