This reading path introduces the role of the Application Development Manager (ADM) in Lean-Agile.

The Application Development Manager accepts responsibility for the holistic integrity and functionality of technical solutions and system products. This includes setting technology boundaries, policies, and engineering practices and standards for system evolution and integrity.

This role includes:

• Setting technology boundaries and policies
• Knowledge and skills required to develop the technical solutions and system products
• Architecture of the technical solutions and system products
• Managing technical dependencies and/or collusion points
• Coding standards and processes that ensure quality, system evolution, and application integrity
• Ensure technical solutions and system products are always running and will continue to run

In a nutshell, the Application Development Manager role is about the content and the Technology Delivery Manager role is about the timing of delivery.

The Application Development Manager role includes but goes beyond “System/Application Architect.” Architects can specify design reviews and architectural standards; however, they usually do not get to determine technologies, languages, coding standards. The Application Development Manager does all of this with a focus on overall integrity of the application.

Every program has to have someone who is overseeing the application.

Note: Many organizations call the “Application Development Manager” role the “Technical Lead”.