Medium

This framework is the inspiration behind the OurGruuv platform. I (AR3) loved the goals they set out to achieve. I also loved how they attempted to achieve these goals.

Honestly, the only difference between this framework and OurGruuv is the concept of assignments. However, even assignments are in the same spirit of the framework. Assignments are the natural extension of the following goal: "Avoiding the development of a homogenous team, where everyone does the same kind of work.".

I'll be forever grateful for Jamie and Madeline for not only being thoughtful about how to do career progression, but sharing with all of us as well.

You can read the original articles, read the rubric in full, and use the interactive tool which OurGruuv is inspired after.

Goals (stated in the article, but important enough to re-state here)

We are attempting to solve a number of problems with this framework, and avoid others that we recognised in other systems. At a high level, we are trying to achieve multiple goals:

• Allowing engineers to develop in multiple ways, rather than artificially reducing them to "engineer" or "manager".
• Recognising that roles are not static, and that people will evolve over time.
• Codifying what is expected of engineers.
• Recognising contributions that are typically undervalued or ignored in traditional engineering ladders.
• Providing multiple ways for people to be recognised for leading within the organisation.
• Giving recognition and rewarding professional development.
• Ensuring fair and equitable compensation.
• Avoiding the development of a homogenous team, where everyone does the same kind of work.
• Connecting hiring and progression to our company values, so we hire, incentivise, and reward what we value.

Overall, the main goal we are trying to achieve is helping engineers answer the question "How do I progress?"
We recognise that all engineers are different and that each applies a unique combination of skills in their work. We understand that there are many paths to a successful career, and support and encourage the growth of different shapes of engineers that together create a robust and flexible team. We know that there are particular kinds of work that is often overlooked, which is nevertheless very important.