Aligning engineering teams

Engineers need to understand the problem being solved, not just the solution to build. When engineers only receive feature specifications without context, they can't make smart technical decisions or suggest better approaches. Share why a feature matters, what user problem it addresses, and how it connects to product strategy.

Involve engineers early in discovery conversations. When they understand customer pain points and business constraints, they can identify technical solutions you might not have considered. They might spot opportunities to reuse existing systems, suggest phased approaches that deliver value faster, or identify technical risks that change priorities.

Create space for engineers to ask questions and challenge assumptions. If a proposed feature seems technically complex for minimal user value, engineers should feel comfortable raising concerns. The best technical solutions emerge when engineers understand both the user problem and business context. Balance detailed requirements with room for technical creativity. Engineers need enough clarity to move forward and enough flexibility to make implementation decisions that leverage their expertise and your existing technical infrastructure.