[mblock]

> We have found that the role of the project manager is counterproductive in complex, creative work. The project manager’s thinking, as represented by the project plan, constrains the creativity and intelligence of everyone else on the project to that of the plan, rather than engaging everyone’s intelligence to best solve the problems.

Pretty much wish this was a defined part of agile, most of the time all my boss/pm is good for is maybe reminding me of meetings. They never understand what I’m working on to help, but they have power to make giant decisions and elevate problems I have been waiting for the client on for some time. Idk if this is a common theme.

I read a comment here a while back I agree with: your project manager, a good one, should remove obstacles that could slow you down, and anticipate them. They will only really interact when they notice bad patterns; like you being too slow. And most of the time let you be unless you introduce to new team members or elevate issues. Focus on your major tasks, allow them to manager the small mundane.

[ARandomerDude]

Low-level drone with 8 different bosses here.

I hate being micro managed as much as the next guy, but I've also had way too many coworkers over the past decade who can't seem to just sit down and get the job done. They fiddle and tinker and explore way too much. It's helpful to do that at times but many lack the discipline to produce software without a PM to answer to. I wish it were different, but it isn't.

My current PM is great and if I found out the management wanted to get rid of him, I'd vouch him and go to war if I had to. Good PMs are indispensable, in my opinion.

[ipnon]

This is why Agile has a love hate relationship with the engineering public. For some engineers its a hindrance to dedicated work. For other engineers, they have the realism to see that many programmers need direction and direct feedback to be profitable for their companies.

[watwut]

The thing is, some people needed direction should not imply everyone get punished and loose any semblance of autonomy. Which is literally agile approach. Some people are issue, therefore everyone is subject to elaborate system of autonomy and individuality removal.

Plus minus subtle intra team politics that allows you to circumvent the above.

[clebiond]

Can you elaborate more on what are the strong points of your PM? Asking for a friend...

[ipnon]

If your team is led by a manager, then it is solving a management problem, and if your team is lead by an engineer, then it is solving an engineering problem. Managers are not good at solving engineering problems, and managers can and will fill management-shaped holes with engineers until everyone is either burnt out or checked out.

[black_13]

Word.