The First 90 Days of Your Modernization Initiative

Summary

In this episode of Engineering Evolved, Tom Barber discusses the critical first 90 days of a modernization initiative for engineering directors. He emphasizes that success is not solely about technology but about understanding the business pain, building trust, and navigating organizational dynamics. The episode provides a week-by-week action plan, highlighting the importance of quick wins, effective communication, and avoiding common pitfalls in modernization efforts.

Takeaways

• The first 90 days will make or break your initiative.
• It's about trust, momentum, and not declaring war on allies.
• Understand the business pain that led to your hiring.
• Your job isn't to fix everything but to prove you can be trusted.
• Conduct a 10-day discovery sprint to clarify needs.
• Weeks one and two should focus on listening and mapping.
• Identify a quick win that builds credibility.
• Stay engaged during the execution of the quick win.
• Communicate your vision and reset expectations with leadership.
• Avoid common pitfalls like ignoring the human side of technology.

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:31) - Title
• (01:13) - The Crucial First 90 Days
• (07:48) - Week-by-Week Action Plan
• (14:10) - Communicating the Vision
• (19:49) - Conclusion and Next Steps