engineering-growth-framework.md

description
Our approach towards healthy, cross functional growth.

Engineering Growth Framework

The framework is divided into 3 parts - Creating, Executing and Supporting, each of which has 3-4 different skills. Each skill is further divided into 5 different milestones. As you go deeper or take on more responsibilities, you cross a milestone.

The 5C Rule

You do not achieve a milestone the first time you demonstrate relevant behaviours or tasks. If it is not clear that you're at a certain milestone, then you'll be placed at the previous milestone. The first milestone that everyone starts with is Milestone 0, and not Milestone 1!

In general, you must have demonstrated a "Conscious, Comfortable, Continuous, Consistent Competency" defined as follows:

• Conscious: having devoted intentional effort to this endeavour,
• Comfortable: without being overly stretched,
• Continuous: for a reasonable period of time,
• Consistent: reliably and evenly,
• Competency: meeting the criteria.

Dependability: You can be depended upon to deliver a task

🧮 Calculation Rubric

{% hint style="info" %}

Milestone → Points

Milestone	Points
0	0
1	1
2	2
3	6
4	12
5	20

Points → Levels

Levels	Points needed
1.1	4
1.2	8
1.3	12
2.1	17
2.2	22
2.3	27
3.1	33
3.2	39
3.3	45
4.1	53
4.2	63
4.3	74
5.1	87
5.2	102
5.3	121

🏗️ Creating

{% tabs %} {% tab title="Platform" %}

(Frameworks, operating systems, compilers, tool chains, data structures)

Milestone	Explanation
1	Through guidance from senior staff members, works effectively within Obvious' frameworks, following current best practices.
2	Shapes significant parts of a project independently, through mastery of Obvious' frameworks and current best practices.
3	Shapes complete projects, through project-wide employment of Obvious' frameworks and current best practices.
4	Pioneers best practices by consistently evolving Obvious' frameworks that enable engineers to work more effectively and deliver higher value.
5	Is a thought leader in the field and sets the direction for platform-specific engineering within the organization.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Craft" %}

(Thoroughness, high quality delivery, system design)

Milestone	Explanation
1	Delivers consistently high quality work.
2	Increases robustness and reliability of codebases, and devotes time to polish.
3	Improves others' ability to deliver great quality work.
4	Advocates for and models great quality with proactive actions, and tackles difficult and subtle system issues.
5	Is a thought leader in the field and sets the direction for platform-specific engineering within the organization.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Release Engineering" %}

(Trunk-based development, constraint thinking, value streams, metrics-based improvement)

Milestone	Explanation
1	Through guidance from senior staff members, works effectively within Obvious' frameworks, following current best practices.
2	Shapes significant parts of a project independently, through mastery of Obvious' frameworks and current best practices.
3	Shapes complete projects, through project-wide employment of Obvious' frameworks and current best practices.
4	Pioneers best practices by consistently evolving Obvious' frameworks that enable engineers to work more effectively and deliver higher value.
5	Is a thought leader in the field and sets the direction for platform-specific engineering within the organization.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

⏲️ Executing

{% tabs %} {% tab title="Project Management" %}

(Plan well, deliver the right quantum of work, at the right quality, within the committed timeframe)

Milestone	Explanation
1	Effectively delivers individual tasks.
2	Effectively delivers small individual projects.
3	Effectively delivers projects through a small team.
4	Effectively delivers projects through a large team with a significant amount of stakeholders or complexity, or delivers multiple projects through a number of small teams.
5	Sets org-wide direction for project management, improves current project management practices and creates new ones wherever required.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Communication" %}

(Promote the flow of information, build confidence through tight articulation, reasoning, and feedback)

Milestone	Explanation
1	Communicates effectively with close stakeholders, and incorporates constructive feedback.
2	Communicates effectively with the wider team, and actively solicits constructive feedback.
3	Communicates effectively with the wider team, actively solicits constructive feedback, and facilitates communication for multiple stakeholders.
4	Communicates complex ideas skilfully and with nuance, and establishes alignment within the wider organization.
5	Establishes effective communication practices and influences outcomes at the highest level.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Bias For Action" %}

(Take calculated risks, pushes self as well as others to dream big and attempt bold ideas)

Milestone	Explanation
1	Steps outside of personal comfort zone and dares to use new or unfamiliar methods to accomplish individual tasks.
2	Steps outside of personal comfort zone and dares to use new or unfamiliar methods to accomplish small individual projects.
3	Helps a small team step outside of their comfort zone and use new or unfamiliar methods to accomplish small team projects.
4	Consistently leads multiple individuals or teams to step out of their comfort zone and use new or unfamiliar methods to execute bold ideas.
5	Leads the entire organization to buy into a bold, audacious vision, and implement it successfully.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

🤝 Supporting

{% tabs %} {% tab title="Mentorship" %}

(Play a strong role in the growth of __colleagues through constant guidance, mentorship, and support)

Milestone	Explanation
1	Supports new hires by familiarising them with Obvious' current frameworks, practices and institutional knowledge.
2	Mentors individuals proactively by providing strong work related guidance.
3	Through constant mentorship, helps individuals create and execute growth plans, by aligning their value system and aspirations to the development of necessary skills that can unlock those aspirations.
4	Encourages and enables peer-to-peer mentorship, mentors large groups or teams, supports the development of a significant part of the organization.
5	Is viewed as a trusted advisor by the leadership and all teams, and promotes a culture of learning and development throughout the entire organization.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Internal Community" %}

(Contribute to the well-being of team by building a strong community that lives and breathes company values)

Milestone	Explanation
1	Brings a positive vibe to the floor, is approachable and helpful towards close collaborators.
2	Creates a supportive and engaging team environment, promotes inclusivity, empowers team members to vocalise and then act on their fears and aspirations.
3	Promotes a culture of lending support, proactively helps individuals experience a sense of belonging.
4	Exemplifies selflessness without compromising responsibilities, advocates for the needs of teams, proactively works to maintain calm in the organization.
5	Personifies company values, promotes positive culture by shaping strong people policies, inspires and protects the entire organization.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Evangelism" %}

(Promote org to the outside world and establish it as an attractive and thoughtful workplace)

Milestone	Explanation
1	Represents Obvious well externally, and influences individuals positively on their views of Obvious.
2	Participates more centrally in small events, and positively influences small groups of people on their views of Obvious.
3	Works hard to positively influence large groups of people on their views of Obvious.
4	Establishes Obvious as a great, innovative company and workplace to the whole industry.
5	Introduces Obvious in a positive light to a wider audience outside the industry.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Recruiting" %}

(Strengthen org by bringing in excellent talent, aligned with the company mission and values)

Milestone	Explanation
1	Understands how to evaluate candidates for Obvious and constantly brings the right candidates into the pipeline.
2	Interviews regularly, helps the team make meaningful hiring decisions, and helps build a diverse pipeline.
3	Maintains and strengthens the integrity of the current process, and regularly brings in great candidates.
4	Actively contributes to and leads hiring decisions, and goes to great lengths to source great candidates.
5	Sets recruitment strategy, invests in long-term relationships for critical roles, and recruits at scale
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}