Create Stage: Tech Leads
The objective of this page is to provide a clear documentation of the responsibilities and attributes associated with the role of a tech lead within the Create Stage.
What is a Tech Lead
This role is outlined here.
Create Tech Leads
Source Code Tech Leads
| Start Date | End Date | Estimated End Date | Epic(s) / Issue(s) | Tech Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-02-01 | TBD | TBD | Branch Rules | Joe Woodward |
| 2024-02-01 | TBD | TBD | Cells 1.0 | Vasilii Iakliushin |
Code Review Tech Leads
| Start Date | End Date | Estimated End Date | Epic(s) / Issue(s) | Tech Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-01-30 | TBD | TBD | Cells 1.0 | Kerri Miller |
| 2024-02-13 | TBD | TBD | New Diffs | Stanislav Lashmanov |
| 2024-02-19 | TBD | TBD | Review Rounds | Phil Hughes |
Remote Development Tech Leads
| Start Date | End Date | Estimated End Date | Epic(s) / Issue(s) | Tech Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-24 | TBD | TBD | Web IDE Category | Enrique Alcántara |
| 2024-05-01 | TBD | TBD | Workspaces Category | Chad Woolley |
How is a Tech Lead different from a Domain Expert
Tech Leads and Domain Experts share similarities and differences. The tables below clarify distinctions between the two roles.
Similarities
| Criteria | Tech Lead | Domain Expert |
|---|---|---|
| Expertise Requirement | Requires domain knowledge and expertise | Requires substantial experience in a specific area |
| Collaboration | Collaboration with Engineering Managers and Product Managers | Collaboration with team members and stakeholders |
| Mentoring | Provides technical guidance and mentoring | Mentors team members in their specific area |
| Not a Managerial Role | Not a manager | Not a manager |
Differences
| Criteria | Tech Lead | Domain Expert |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of Role | Temporary role tied to a specific topic/project | Ongoing role with substantial expertise |
| Assignment Criteria | Efficiency, domain knowledge, expertise | Substantial experience in specific areas |
| Seniority | Any engineer, regardless of seniority | Encouraged for team members with experience |
| Providing Technical Vision | Providing technical vision and architecture | Not required. |
| Guidance and Mentoring | Offering technical guidance and mentoring | Conducting code and MR reviews in their domain |
| Planning and Prioritizing Work | Planning and prioritizing work | Not required |
| Tracking Progress and Reporting | Tracking progress on commitments and reporting | Ensuring progress tracking and reporting within their domain, providing insights into achievements, challenges, and goals |
| Risk Management | Identifying, assessing, and managing technical risks that may impact deliverables | Managing technical risks associated with specific technology, product feature, or codebase area |
| Coordination | Overseeing the work of others and helping remove blockers | Coordinating with team members in their domain, ensuring smooth collaboration and addressing challenges as they arise |
| Collaboration | Slack channel for collaboration (#tech_leads or topic/project specific channel) | Not required. |
| Project Template | Utilizes a project template for guidance | Not required. |
| Scope | Tied to a specific topic/project | Generally encompasses specific technology, feature, or codebase area |
Responsibilities
The Tech Lead responsibilites are outlined here.
Process
Determine if the Project needs a Tech Lead
In some projects, having a Tech Lead depends on the team’s available capacity. Engineering Managers decide based on the team’s Tech Leadership capacity. Use these questions to help evaluate if your project needs a Tech Lead.
- Is the project technically complex? Does it require a blueprint?
- Does it involve multiple technologies or integrations?
- Does the project demand unique technical expertise?
- Does the project have a high level of risk associated with technical aspects?
- Is the success of the project critical to the overall business goals?
- Are there complex technical decisions to be made during the project?
- Does the project involve architectural choices that need experienced guidance?
- Is there a tight deadline for project completion?
- Is there a need for effective communication between technical and non-technical team members?
Appointing a Tech Lead for a Project
| Step | Engineering Manager’s Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| 1 | Assess project needs |
| 2 | Evaluate Tech Leadership capacity |
| 3 | Select a Tech Lead |
Last modified May 30, 2025: Remove Code Creation and Editor Extensions from Create Stage (
4aed6957)
