Revisiting Manager READMEs

Overview This Medium article revisits the concept of manager READMEs, reflecting on the original critique and sharing updated guidance for creating effective manager documentation.

Key Takeaways

• A manager README should focus on the information that helps team members work with you effectively.
• Keep the document short, regularly updated, and accessible to the whole team.
• Include sections on decision-making style, communication preferences, and escalation paths.
• Treat the README as a living document that evolves with your role and team.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering managers looking to improve transparency.
• New hires needing a quick reference to understand their manager's expectations.
• Individual contributors seeking better communication with leadership.
• Senior leaders interested in standardizing manager documentation.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• Simple documentation framework for manager READMEs.
• Continuous improvement loop for keeping the README current.