An Elegant Puzzle: Systems of Engineering Management


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From the Publisher

will larson, business culture, business growth, engineering management, management philosophywill larson, business culture, business growth, engineering management, management philosophy

will larson, business culture, business growth, engineering management, management philosophy

will larson, business culture, business growth, engineering management, management philosophy

will larson, business culture, business growth, engineering management, management philosophy

will larson, business culture, business growth, engineering management, management philosophy

will larson, business culture, business growth, engineering management, management philosophy

will larson, business culture, business growth, engineering management, management philosophy

‘A masterful study of engineering management’

“An Elegant Puzzle is a masterful study of the challenges and demands of the discipline of engineering management viewed through the prism of systems thinking. Readers can expect an actionable template for addressing complex problems with finesse, creativity and fairness.”

—Cindy Sridharan, Distributed Systems Engineer and author of Distributed Systems Observability

‘Captures the timeless spirit of creative problem-solving’

“Software engineering is evolving faster than ever before. What principles are durable in a time of so much change and what are the contemporary pain points that may change in the future but cannot be ignored today? In An Elegant Puzzle, Will Larson captures the timeless spirit of creative problem-solving that draws us to software engineering while also providing concrete strategies for modern organizations.”

—Jeffrey Meyerson, Host of Software Engineering Daily

‘An Elegant Puzzle will become your favorite go-to resource’

“Engineering Managers can often feel like they are struggling to keep their head above the water. Our technical training is missing the frameworks and tools needed to build healthy and productive teams. The insights and step-by-step approach covered in An Elegant Puzzle will become your favorite go-to resource.”

—Oren Ellenbogen, VP Engineering at Forter, Curator of Software Lead Weekly newsletter

will larson, business culture, business growth, engineering management, management philosophywill larson, business culture, business growth, engineering management, management philosophy

About the author

Will Larson has been an engineering leader and software engineer at technology companies of many shapes and sizes, including Yahoo!, Digg, SocialCode, Uber, and, since 2016, Stripe.

He grew up in North Carolina, studied Computer Science at Centre College in Kentucky, spent a year in Japan for the JET Program teaching English, and has been living in San Francisco since 2009.

An Elegant Puzzle draws from the writing in his blog, Irrational Exuberance!, that he has been updating since graduating from college. It is currently, and will always be, a work in progress.

An introduction from Will Larson

Some people go into management out of a desire to be of service. Others become managers in a cynical pact, exchanging excitement in their current role for the prospect of continued salary bumps and promotions. There are even folks who initially go into management because they’re entirely fed up with their own manager and are convinced that they could do better.

I won’t say which of those, if any, describes me.

Regardless of what motivation first brings you into management, it can feel as if you’ve entered a troubled profession. Skilled practitioners are scarce, and only the exceptional company is willing to invest in growing its managers.

As I’ve become more experienced, my appreciation for management, and engineering management in particular, has grown, and I’ve come to view the field as a series of elegant, rewarding, and important puzzles. This book is a collection of those puzzles, which I’ve had the good fortune to struggle with and learn from.

If you finish the entire book, you won’t walk into your office the next day as a perfect manager (I remain grateful for the days I walk into the office feeling like a marginally competent one), but I hope that it’ll stimulate questions about how you’re approaching management, provide a few new approaches for you to experiment with, and help you take a few steps further down the path of engineering management.

stripe press, innovation, new ideas, business, creative managementstripe press, innovation, new ideas, business, creative management

About the publisher

Stripe Press publishes ideas for progress in science, technology, and economics. Our collection includes new ideas from emerging and established thinkers and industry leaders, as well as reimagined editions of enduring works. We curate our titles for a global audience of builders and practitioners who are shaping the future of policy and industry.

Stripe Press is based in South San Francisco, with team members across the US and in London. We are a part of the global payments infrastructure company Stripe.

Other titles by Stripe Press:

High Growth Handbook by Elad GilThe Dream Machine by M. Mitchell WaldropStubborn Attachments by Tyler CowenRevolt of the Public by Martin Gurri

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Stripe Press (May 20, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1732265186
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1732265189
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.25 x 9 inches

Customers say

Customers find the book a great reference on all engineering management topics. They also say it’s well-written, clear, and accessible. Opinions differ on the content quality, with some finding it excellent and practical, while others say it lacks insight.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews


In the world of engineering, managing complex systems requires a delicate balance of technical expertise and strategic thinking. Just like solving a puzzle, engineering management involves piecing together various components to create a cohesive and efficient system.

From overseeing project timelines to coordinating team efforts, engineering managers play a critical role in ensuring that all aspects of a project come together seamlessly. They must not only have a deep understanding of the technical aspects of the project, but also possess strong leadership and communication skills to effectively guide their team.

An elegant puzzle, engineering management requires a meticulous approach to problem-solving and a keen eye for detail. Each decision made by the manager can have a ripple effect on the entire project, making it essential to carefully consider each piece of the puzzle before making a move.

Ultimately, successful engineering management is about finding the perfect balance between creativity and structure, innovation and practicality. It is about navigating the complexities of a project with grace and precision, while always keeping the end goal in sight.

So, the next time you find yourself faced with the challenge of managing a complex engineering project, remember that it is not just a task to be completed, but a puzzle to be solved with elegance and finesse.
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