Perhaps so, I’ve seen very few successful technical managers — usually they exist in some kind of half existence, neither one world nor the other.

It’s encouraging to see two different management tracks, though, so at least some companies do acknowledge that standard management practices have little value in software engineering.

I think generally there are just too many managers just littering up the place, touching things they shouldn’t, and introducing process because someone sent them a PowerPoint slide as part of their ‘certification’ process.

Having them notionally in charge of hiring is just counter-productive, the process needs developer involvement.