Most of What We Call Progress

Overview An essay by Yusuf Aytas explores the concept of progress in technical work, questioning the reliance on superficial metrics and urging leaders to adopt more meaningful measures of growth and impact.

Key Takeaways

• Progress should be measured by value delivered, not just output.
• Continuous learning and adaptation are essential for sustainable growth.
• Clear purpose and shared vision help align teams toward genuine progress.
• Metrics must be contextualized to avoid misleading conclusions.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering managers seeking better ways to assess team performance.
• Technical leaders aiming to foster a growth mindset.
• Product owners interested in aligning delivery with impact.
• Developers who want to understand the bigger picture of their work.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• None specific, but references to iterative improvement and outcome-oriented thinking.