My career began with a complete focus on coding, and I believed that that technical skill was the single most important ability in software development. Eventually, I found that successful projects require a balance of highly technical abilities and an awareness of the larger commercial objectives. I discovered that viewing my work in terms of product management gives my contributions a specific significance.
Throughout my career, I have worked on projects that required me to assume multiple roles. My career as a software engineer and freelancer introduced me to the business realities of technology. Understanding user needs, market circumstances, and business constraints improves the value of the product I create. This mindset has led me to focus not just on designing clean code but also on ensuring that each feature provides genuine value to its customers.
On-the-ground communication is more or less the foundation of product development. I participate in conversations that establish the product vision. Working with designers, marketers, and client reps has taught me that shared knowledge and similar goals lead to greater outcomes. I describe technical limits while offering reasonable choices that are consistent with business objectives. This back-and-forth has increased the quality standard on all initiatives in which I have been engaged.
Balancing technological techniques with strategic considerations has also helped me save time and resources. My understanding of the product roadmap guides my judgments about which features require urgent attention and which can wait. Such knowledge allows me to make judgments that lower project timelines while maintaining quality. I’ve found that taking responsibility for connecting my work to project objectives is highly rewarding, and it fosters a feeling of ownership in all of my responsibilities.
My employment outside of programming has given me a different perspective on issue solving. I now believe that it is permissible and encouraged to recommend improvements that, from a technical viewpoint, may look unusual. A unique mix of business and technical logic may allow me to contribute to solutions that benefit the entire team. Engineers with this perspective, in my experience, participate more completely throughout the project’s life cycle.
Participating in product conversations is equally beneficial to our development and provides finer insights into my decision-making process. This collaborative approach produces positive outcomes for both developers and users. This exchange of ideas has improved the overall quality of the projects I work on.
Success in software development requires a combination of technical skills and product intent. By taking into account corporate objectives and user requirements, I may actively expand my influence over the initiatives. I encourage my fellow engineers to broaden their perspective and work closely with product teams. I remain committed to growth.
Content Credit: Emmanuel Osojie
Emmanuel Osojie is a technically proficient Software Engineer with over four years of experience in designing and developing web applications. Holding a Master’s degree in Computer Science, he excels in data structures, testing, and project management, and is adept at leveraging Java, Cloud technologies, and the Microsoft 365 ecosystem to deliver innovative solutions. Currently at Microteam Ltd, Emmanuel has a proven track record of enhancing program efficiency and driving digital transformation, with previous experience as a Freelancer and Product Manager.
