7 things to know before becoming a developer manager 7 things to know before becoming a developer manager Management is often seen as the natural next step for developers, but it’s a harder change than many people realise. Here, developer managers tell InfoWorld what they wish they had known before they made the shift. As everyone mulls their New Year’s resolutions for 2021, many developers will be thinking about the next step in their career, whether that involves mastering a new language or finally taking that move into management. Unlike many professions, software engineers don’t have to move into management to progress in their career. There are principal and distinguished engineers as well as architecture and CTO career paths to pursue for developers who are fully committed to their craft and want to stay hands-on with the technology.