Bug Quote by Michael Lopp
““I’m still cringing. Someone is already yelling at me, “Managers owning features?!?!” (And I agree.) You are still a manager, so make it a small feature, OK? You’ve still got a lot to do. If you can’t imagine owning a feature, my backup advice is to fix some bugs. You won’t get the joy of ownership, but you’ll gain an understanding of the construction of the product that you’ll never get walking the hallway.””
About This Quote
Source Blog: Rands in Repose, 2015
A manager should gain ownership by handling small features or fixing bugs to understand product construction.
In simple terms: Managers learn by doing small tasks or fixing bugs.
Key Takeaway
Take small ownership to learn the product.
Themes
management
learning
ownership
product development
Mood
reflective
practical
Type
advice
career
When to use this quote
- software teams
- new managers
- career development
- bug fixing
Key Concepts
incremental responsibility
hands‑on experience
Questions to Reflect On
- How can a manager balance small tasks with strategic vision?
- What does ownership mean beyond fixing bugs?
A Different Perspective
Small tasks may not fully capture strategic impact.
