Learning #3: Optimising for Velocity and Optimising for Scale Can Be Conflicting Goals I have so far in this article series covered the first two of the Cognite scaling learnings: #1- Always Be On Your Way, as well as learning #2, Build Processes and Culture for Continuous Change. The essence of these is that the best way to get things done will change continuously as you … [Read more...] about Learnings From Scaling a Product Engineering Organisation to 280 People – Part 4
Leadership
Learnings From Scaling a Product Engineering Organisation to 280 People – Part 3
Learning #2: Build Processes and Culture for Continuous Change In the previous article in this series, I covered learning #1- Always Be On Your Way. I wrote about how easy it is to get stuck in "how things should be done" instead of focusing on the unique challenges you have here and now. In my response to Brian Chesky's changes in the AirBnB product organization, I deep … [Read more...] about Learnings From Scaling a Product Engineering Organisation to 280 People – Part 3
Are Product Decisions Too Important to Leave to Product Managers?
I was almost ready with the third article in the series on learnings from the last two years at Cognite, when Brian Chesky and Marty Cagan made me pause and instead write this post. Marty Cagan is one of a handful of thought leaders that have had a profound impact on my thinking and practice. My early days in Silicon Valley pre-2000 made me stay connected to developments … [Read more...] about Are Product Decisions Too Important to Leave to Product Managers?
Learnings From Scaling a Product Engineering Organisation to 280 People – Part 2
Learning #1: Always Be On Your Way There is no such thing as THE best way of organising a product development organisation. How you build product should be more contextual and tailor-made than what the literature out there tells you. Stop discussing the ideal way of doing things, solve the problems you have right now. Have a bias for action. Follow me on Twitter/X … [Read more...] about Learnings From Scaling a Product Engineering Organisation to 280 People – Part 2
Learnings From Scaling a Product Engineering Organisation to 280 People – Part 1
Follow me on Twitter/X @GregerWedel Back two years ago, I wrote a blog post on the principles and biggest pitfalls of scaling a product organization charged to build a unified and complex product. Naturally, being employed at Cognite, what I had in mind was the Cognite Data Fusion platform product and its ~280 people product development organisation. In an upcoming series … [Read more...] about Learnings From Scaling a Product Engineering Organisation to 280 People – Part 1