did you just get promoted to director of engineering? Or maybe you want to become a more effective engineering manager?
Either way, this is a list of the 25 Best Engineering Management Books covering topics like engineering management, leadership, hiring, project management, goal setting, and more.
You are reading: Books for engineering managers
1 – an elegant puzzle: engineering management systems
will larson addresses many issues in his engineering management book. from how to deal with technical debt to team sizing and succession planning.
You’ll learn how to set up a hiring funnel, create workplace policies, and the tools you need to be successful. this is a book packed with excellent management advice.
2 – the manager route
camille fournier’s book helps engineering managers deal with typical day-to-day management issues: mentoring, managing people and teams, managing managers, and how to build a culture of excellence and high performance.
Although the book was written from the point of view of a technology company, it applies to all engineering managers, regardless of their industry.
3 – high performance management
andrew grove was intel’s CEO for over a decade and has been called the “father” of okrs: objectives and key results.
This book summarizes his management experiences with many lessons on goal setting, hiring, team management, and communication.
4 – management of human beings
This book by Michael Lopp brings together decades of personal stories and lessons learned while working as an engineering manager for many technology companies in Silicon Valley.
Learn how to motivate your employees, conduct productive meetings, build teams from scratch, hire talented people, and how to manage your relationship with your boss.
5 – peopleware: productive projects and teams
Most problems in project management are human, not technical. This book by Tom Demarco and Tim Lister teaches you how to manage productive teams and how to lead successful projects from start to finish.
6 – the five dysfunctions of a team
patrick lencioni uses a fable format to teach important lessons about why teams fail: lack of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results.
This is one of the best and most popular management books, and it deserves its well-deserved reputation.
7 – measure what matters
john doerr shows us how big companies like netflix and google use objectives and key results (okrs) to achieve higher performance and growth.
but it’s not just top executives who use okrs. okrs are established in all departments and management levels of a company. A great introduction to a very important topic.
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As they say: what gets measured gets managed.
8 – the harvard business review manager’s handbook
this hbr management guide helps new and experienced engineering managers learn the art and science of management.
learn leadership, communication, delegation and how to develop new talent. this is an easy book to digest and a welcome introduction to management.
9 – management: tasks, responsibilities, practices
a classic management book by peter drucker, the world’s most famous management consultant. You will learn timeless management tools and techniques that apply to any business or organization, no matter how large or small.
10 – the effective executive
Another influential book by Peter Drucker, this one about managing your time, setting priorities, and making decisions.
Fear not the title, this book applies to managers as well as executives. And what is an executive but a manager of managers, after all?
11 – the training of a manager: what to do when everyone is looking at you
a simple and easy to understand administration introduction by julie zhuo. Learn the basics of hiring, team leadership, and how to provide feedback. If you’re a new engineering manager, this is a great book to start with.
12 – all-in-one project management for beginners
an excellent overview of all project management methodologies (including agile), their advantages and disadvantages, and how to execute a project from the initial planning stage to the end. don’t let the “fools” put you off. this book is packed with value.
13 – product management principles
You may not be a product manager, but if you work as an engineering manager at a tech company, you’re bound to work with one. it is important that you understand the function of the product and how it works.
14 – the essential guide to hiring & get hired
As an Engineering Manager, you will assemble engineering teams from the ground up. that includes hiring engineers.
In this book, Lou Adler teaches her performance-based method of interviewing and hiring. he will learn how to create a recruiting funnel, how to spot and assess talent, and how to keep his engineers happy.
15 – become an effective software engineering manager
Not all engineering managers are software managers, but for those who are, this book teaches you everything you need to know to lead an effective and productive software team.
the lessons in this book by dr. james stanier will be useful even for those who work in a different industry.
16 – the first time manager
another introduction to management by jim mccormick. contains a chapter on how to use personal development principles in your career.
Learn how to motivate, train and discipline your people. A very good introduction to the subject of management.
17 – manage the unmanageable
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an influential book focused on managing technology engineers, but with advice that can be applied to any industry.
Learn how to hire and onboard people, and how to manage engineers and engineering projects. excellent book by ron lichty and mickey mantle.
18 – first, break all the rules: what the best managers in the world do differently
gallup brings us a study of more than 80,000 managers that answers the question: what distinguishes high performers from mediocre ones?
Simple
: They have no problem breaking the rules (ie conventional wisdom) and are extremely adaptable. a great read for engineering managers.
19 – the 48 laws of power
politics exists in any organization. but can you play the political game? Are you ready for the human challenges you will face as the leader of your team?
This book by Robert Greene lays out everything you need to know about power: how to get it, how to keep it, and how to use it wisely.
20 – leadership: theory and practice
What I like about this book is how fluff-free it is. This leadership book by Peter Northouse is based on solid scientific evidence.
If you want to become a better leader, but feel put off by the typical “woo woo” advice given in personal development books, then read this book.
21 – the 15 commitments of conscious leadership
This book is a pragmatic approach to leadership for new managers. it is structured to be easy to read, without fluff or heavy theories.
22 – emotional intelligence: why it may matter more than iq
emotional intelligence is not just a buzzword. street smarts or “office smarts” is a very important variable on how successfully you will manage a team.
this book by daniel goleman explains the concept of emotional intelligence and how to cultivate it to achieve success in life.
23 – how to win friends and influence people
Don’t be put off by the title. this book has survived generations for one reason: it works. Dale Carnegie’s advice will help you earn the trust and respect of your people, even in times of crisis.
24 – crucial conversations
An important part of being a manager is communication. Being able to effectively persuade people with your message will go a long way in helping you achieve your goals.
With over 2 million copies sold, this book focuses on high-stakes situations that can make or break your career. an important book for any engineering manager.
25 – radical sincerity: be a great boss without losing your humanity
this book by kim scott teaches you how to be a leader without being an idiot or a coward. helps you build a cohesive team that achieves results within a culture of honesty and compassion.
See Also: Janice Holt Giles – The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning