Welcome to the course! As an engineering manager, mastering delegation is crucial for building an effective and engaged team. Throughout this course, you will learn approaches to tailor tasks to preferences, provide proper support, and ensure accountability. This first unit kicks off with a focus on strategies to set clear expectations.

Setting clear expectations starts with defining what success looks like. By clearly communicating specific milestones, your team can understand the project's trajectory. For example, rather than saying "Reduce bugs," specify “Complete phase one of the project by reducing bugs by 20%”. This clarity helps everyone know when success is achieved based on the expected outcome.

Communicating key deadlines allows team members to plan their work and manage their time effectively. When setting deadlines, ensure they are realistic and achievable.

• Jake: Hey Nova, I need the first draft of the project report by March 15th.
• Nova: March 15th? That seems tight. Could we aim for the 20th instead?
• Jake: Let's stick to the 15th, but we'll reassess progress on the 10th to ensure it's feasible.

This interaction ensures Nova understands the deadline while also providing a checkpoint to reassess and ensure it remains achievable.

Effective delegation often involves collaboration with various stakeholders. Guide your team on who to include in their project update meetings. For example, you might suggest, “Ensure to include the QA team in your bi-weekly updates”. This way, everyone who needs to be informed is kept in the loop, fostering better communication and coordination for tracking and mitigates potential risks.

In the upcoming role-play sessions, we will apply these foundational principles to real-world scenarios, giving you practical experience in mastering delegation techniques and robust support strategies. Get ready to transform your leadership approach!