Management
Management is the organizational function or practice of directing people, work, resources, and operations to achieve objectives.
Think Like a Software Engineering Manager
A manager is a person responsible for overseeing and supporting employees while contributing to organizational objectives.
- How it is used
- Guides managers in supporting people, coordinating teams, delivering projects, and contributing to organizational objectives.
- How deep it goes
- Explains responsibilities, success measures, leadership distinctions, and practical scenarios, while stopping short of detailed management procedures.
- Examples
- Uses an engineering productivity scenario, an intern’s career progression, team-goal practices, and leadership-management comparisons.
- What you can do after
- Evaluate management through team delivery, employee growth, morale, business performance, development velocity, and operational excellence.
Read how Think Like a Software Engineering Manager explains management →
Lead Developer Career Guide
The practice of directing people, work, resources, and organizational activities to achieve objectives.
- How it is used
- Frames management as a possible career direction for developers and a partner role for lead developers shaping team decisions.
- How deep it goes
- Outlines hiring, conflict resolution, budgets, and policy responsibilities, but does not provide step-by-step procedures.
- Examples
- Uses interview contribution assessment, team hiring, budget alignment, and AI-tool policy setting as workplace cases.
- What you can do after
- Evaluate whether management fits a career that otherwise might continue through senior or lead development roles.
Related concepts
- mentorcontrasts with · A mentor is an experienced person who provides guidance, knowledge, feedback, and developmental support to someone with less experience.
- leadershipcontrasts with · Leadership is the practice or capability of guiding, influencing, coordinating, and making decisions for people or organizations pursuing shared objectives.
- hiringuses · Hiring is the process of attracting, evaluating, selecting, and employing people to fill organizational roles.
- technical leadused by · A technical lead is a software engineer who provides technical ownership, direction, coordination, and guidance for a team or project.
These guides are generated from the text of Manning books by Manning's knowledge graph and link to the sections they draw on. The full books are available on liveBook and at manning.com.

