chiedevate

Chiedevate is a term used in software engineering and tech management to describe initiatives aimed at elevating the role and influence of senior developers within an organization. It functions as a conceptual umbrella for practices that create formal pathways for technical leadership beyond traditional individual contributor roles, including architectural governance, mentorship, and strategic decision-making. The definition of chiedevate varies by context; some organizations emphasize expanding decision rights and accountability for architectural choices, while others focus on career progression, compensation, and recognition tied to technical leadership.

Origins and usage: The term appears in contemporary discussions of engineering governance and leadership, where companies seek to balance strong technical input with cross-functional collaboration. Implementation patterns often include establishing engineering ladders with senior or principal levels, forming tech-leads councils or rotating leadership models, and aligning incentives with technical impact and outcomes.

Benefits and challenges: Proponents argue that chiedevate can improve retention of senior engineers, strengthen knowledge transfer, and speed technical decision-making. Critics caution that poorly defined roles can blur accountability, create overlap with product or project management, or privilege technocracy at the expense of customer outcomes.

See also: Engineering leadership, technical career ladder, software architecture, governance in software development.