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Mentee Question

Asked by Ajay Kumar

I'm working as a software developer with 2 years of experience and I find coding isn't my strong suit. How do I transition to management without getting an MBA?

Mentors Answer

Answered By Mentor subhasish chakraborty

Hey Ajay - Don't know about your profile and the organization's nature. But with limited information ,let me still try decoding your problem into 3 simple steps -


  1. Horizontal movement - From your current role to another role but with same competency (Coding) - Not interest to you.
  2. Vertical movement (Preferred ones) - From your current role to move to management role but within the similar function or domain. you can do variety of certification - depending on industry or functions (e.g. Finance, supply chain, sales, Project Management) and start plan your transition (job shadow, small time-bound project, final transition to your management role)
  3. Diagonal one (difficult but more rewarding) - Move away from current role as well as current function. Honestly there's no secret sauce for the same. But my suggestion is to work on industry specific domain or commercial domain (pricing, sales etc.) to position you more of an industry or domain guy than a tech guy and then check with your organization as how you can make a move to management role (e.g. start with PMO, BA, associate consultant or budding PM followed by more seasoned role)


Hope this helps.


Answered By Mentor Nikunj Goel

Hi Ajay,


I would like to share my experience, as I was in a similar situation 20 years back.


My answers are with a big assumption that you are looking for a project management role.


  1. I do not know your current status be very patient, it may not happen that you transition into management in a week. It could be a long journey to acquire relevant skills, knowledge, and experience and demonstrate these aspects.
  2. Apologies for breaking it into not-so-nice words, to gain these skills and knowledge, you would need TIME and lots of it. so you have 2 choices, either put a lot of additional effort or become very efficient in the coding tasks given to you. I had chosen the latter. best people to guide and support you in learning management would be your current leads and managers, but believe me they are not going to help you if you have not completed your tasks at hand.
  3. I had to beg, stay late to complete them, and get scolded for my mistakes, but I kept on asking for additional management work from my leads and managers. Needless to say, all the credit also went to them as it can't be highlighted that a 2-3 years experience person is helping experienced project managers. I am showing the worst picture here to manage expectations, But I have had some excellent and supportive managers as well.
  4. Casually/or seriously read few management(Project management) books and case studies. This would help you get familiar with the technologies and most importantly broaden your perspective. I recommend Head First PMP and Head First Software Development and my personal favorite Software Engineering by roger pressman.
  5. You also attempt certifications like ITIL, CSM to build your credentials and these may even accelerate your journey toward management.


My final suggestion(as a friend) is, do not get into management for the wrong reasons, it may look all rosy to become a project manager, but good project managers have 100s of things to worry about and it only increases with experience. balancing the expectations of the team, senior stakeholders and customers is not something many people enjoy. If you don't like coding there are many individual contributor roles you could transition into.


PS: I am repeating, My suggestions are with the assumption you want to transition to software project management and I don't know your current status.


Feel free to connect with me. I do enjoy helping young minds understand project management and have conducted multiple training.


Nikunj Goel

Nikunj Goel

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Answered By Mentor Akansha Yadav

Familiarise yourself with how companies make money. Meet and talk to people who are in management roles.


Pick one job in your closest proximity (example your own department or company), take a shadow project like we do at LinkedIn as well. Map the skills you have vs you need and create a plan to practice and become good at those skills.


There is a well oiled framework that I often use and has never failed me in learning anything I ever want to.


Answered By Mentor Abhishek Jain

Here's a simple suggestion:


Seek a Product Manager mentor in your existing organization and start shadowing him/her to learn more about the work and space. If possible, get some support from your manager / leadership. Here at Google, we call these as 20% projects where you decide to acquire a new skill and start devoting 20% of your time on the new tasks.


As you learn more about the space, start contributing by adding your inputs on existing artifacts, customer interviews, post launch enablement etc.


Once you feel confident, seek an internal transfer, get the title, spend some more time and voila - you are pretty much there.


Hope this helps.


Answered By Mentor Ankit Raj

Transitioning to a management role without an MBA is certainly possible, especially if you have a solid foundation of technical experience and demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills. Here are some steps you can take to increase your chances of success in this transition:

  1. Develop your leadership skills: Identify opportunities to take on leadership roles within your current team or department. This could involve mentoring junior developers, leading small projects, or participating in cross-functional teams.
  2. Enhance your communication skills: Effective communication is crucial for any management role. Practice your presentation and public speaking skills, and seek feedback from colleagues on your written and verbal communication.
  3. Gain exposure to business operations: Familiarize yourself with the broader business aspects of software development, such as product strategy, marketing, and sales. This will help you understand the bigger picture and make informed decisions as a manager.
  4. Pursue relevant certifications: Consider pursuing certifications related to project management, business analysis, or agile methodologies. These certifications can demonstrate your commitment to professional development and enhance your credibility.
  5. Network with managers in your field: Connect with and seek guidance from managers in your company or industry. Learn from their experiences, ask for advice, and build a network of support.
  6. Volunteer for management-related tasks: Look for opportunities to volunteer for tasks that involve managing or coordinating others, such as organizing team events, leading brainstorming sessions, or facilitating problem-solving discussions.
  7. Seek mentorship from experienced managers: Find a mentor who can provide guidance and support as you navigate your career transition. A mentor can help you identify your strengths, address your weaknesses, and develop a plan for advancement.
  8. Highlight your transferable skills: Emphasize your transferable skills, such as problem-solving, analytical thinking, and attention to detail, which are valuable assets in both technical and managerial roles.
  9. Express your interest in management: Clearly communicate your career aspirations to your manager and seek opportunities to take on more responsibility and leadership within your current role.
  10. Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning: Stay up-to-date with industry trends and developments in project management, business principles, and leadership strategies.

Remember, transitioning to management requires a combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, and a strong understanding of the business context. By actively seeking opportunities to develop these skills and demonstrate your managerial potential, you can increase your chances of successfully navigating this career shift without an MBA.



Ankit Raj

Ankit Raj

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