>> I know of only a handful of orgs that actually manage to build strong teams of really strong engineers
The best teams I've been on work like a team in sports.
You have the guys who are really good, really sharp developers. They know all the ins and outs of the framework, but are insanely specialized with one thing, but do the majority of the heavy lifting. Then you have the mid-range guys who are more of the JOT guys. They know UI/UX, accessibility, front-end dev and some back-end stuff. Then you have all the entry level rubes. The guys you can give them something to do and they'll figure it out. They're usually learning as they go, but can handle tasks with some direction and hand holding. As the project runs on, they get more comfortable with the processes and tasks so they need less direction and hand holding.
Building teams is all about finding a good mix of people who compliment each other. Too many of the really sharp devs and they'll be arguing over everything. Get too many mid-range or entry level guys and it will slow down the whole project. You also have to have devs who are comfortable with their skill level and know what they're expected to be doing. Too many times I've been on teams where the mid-range guys start bumping heads with the senior devs. Lunch becomes a rage fest over what we should be doing better. They think they should a lead dev, not the guy they don't like.
The last thing is your senior/lead devs have to have the right attitude too. I've been around some insanely sharp lead devs, but they're complete assholes. They know everything, you know nothing. You use shit frameworks, they're always on the cutting edge and your an idiot because you like Angular not something bougie like Svelt.
The key in all of this is finding the chemistry that works. When you get that chemistry, you can capture lightening in a bottle and really build some amazing stuff. When it works, its the coolest thing. People are dialed in, they're enthusiastic about what they're doing. They're willing to work longer hours to make sure the product we're building is incredible. The team is happy, delivering and working on faster sprints and things just feel effortless.
The best teams I've been on work like a team in sports.
You have the guys who are really good, really sharp developers. They know all the ins and outs of the framework, but are insanely specialized with one thing, but do the majority of the heavy lifting. Then you have the mid-range guys who are more of the JOT guys. They know UI/UX, accessibility, front-end dev and some back-end stuff. Then you have all the entry level rubes. The guys you can give them something to do and they'll figure it out. They're usually learning as they go, but can handle tasks with some direction and hand holding. As the project runs on, they get more comfortable with the processes and tasks so they need less direction and hand holding.
Building teams is all about finding a good mix of people who compliment each other. Too many of the really sharp devs and they'll be arguing over everything. Get too many mid-range or entry level guys and it will slow down the whole project. You also have to have devs who are comfortable with their skill level and know what they're expected to be doing. Too many times I've been on teams where the mid-range guys start bumping heads with the senior devs. Lunch becomes a rage fest over what we should be doing better. They think they should a lead dev, not the guy they don't like.
The last thing is your senior/lead devs have to have the right attitude too. I've been around some insanely sharp lead devs, but they're complete assholes. They know everything, you know nothing. You use shit frameworks, they're always on the cutting edge and your an idiot because you like Angular not something bougie like Svelt.
The key in all of this is finding the chemistry that works. When you get that chemistry, you can capture lightening in a bottle and really build some amazing stuff. When it works, its the coolest thing. People are dialed in, they're enthusiastic about what they're doing. They're willing to work longer hours to make sure the product we're building is incredible. The team is happy, delivering and working on faster sprints and things just feel effortless.