30-60-90 Day Plan for Engineering Leadership
Day one. New faces. New systems. New challenges.
The first 90 days in a new engineering leadership role are critical as they set the foundation for everything that follows. They shape how your team sees you, how executives measure your impact, and how effectively you can drive change.
But this isn't just about hitting the ground running. It's more about hitting the ground learning.
After leading engineering teams across various organizations, I've discovered that success isn't just about technical prowess. It's a delicate balance between technical expertise and empathetic leadership.
Why This Plan Matters
A structured 30-60-90 day plan serves several crucial purposes:
- Builds credibility - It demonstrates foresight and strategic thinking to your new team and leadership
- Creates focus - It prevents the overwhelming feeling of trying to change everything at once
- Establishes expectations - It clearly communicates your priorities and approach
- Promotes accountability - It provides benchmarks against which progress can be measured
The Leadership Philosophy Behind This Plan
Today's engineering teams face unprecedented challenges including rapidly evolving technologies, remote and distributed workforces, and increasing pressure to deliver value quickly while maintaining quality.
Meeting these challenges requires a leadership approach that:
- Values both systems and people - Understanding that technical excellence and human factors are equally important
- Balances listening and action - Taking time to understand before implementing changes
- Leads with empathy and clarity - Recognizing team members as whole people while providing clear direction
- Fosters psychological safety - Creating an environment where innovation thrives through open communication
The Journey Ahead
This plan divides the first 90 days into three distinct phases, each building upon the previous:
- First 30 Days: Demos, Documentation, and Diagnostics - A period focused on learning and understanding
- Days 31-60: Planning and Partnering - Strategic planning and building key relationships
- Days 61-90: Execution and Acceleration - Implementing initiatives and driving measurable results
The following pages detail each phase with specific actions and expected outcomes. This isn't a rigid prescription but a flexible framework that should adapt to the unique challenges and opportunities of your new environment.
