Charitha's Web Log

I know there are plenty of posts and materials about using GenAI in software development, especially how it can act as a junior software engineer working alongside you. However, I haven’t found enough examples of how GenAI can assist managers who lead software development teams—a.k.a Engineering Managers. This post is a quick summary of how I’ve been using GenAI in my day-to-day work to stay ahead of the game. Please share any additional use cases you’ve found helpful for engineering managers in the comments! Early Adoption of GenAI at Amazon In late 2023 and early 2024, Amazon developed numerous internal tools, primarily built on Anthropic Claude models, to assist with daily work. It started with simple ChatGPT-like utilities for correcting grammar and rephrasing and summarizing text based on prompts. I realized it was no longer acceptable to make silly grammatical errors in written communication (whether in emails or Slack messages) when tools like these were readily available. My f...

Recently, while reading Marshall Goldsmith's " What Got You Here Won't Get You There ," I found myself reflecting on my journey in Software Engineering. As we progress in our careers, we often need to adapt to new expectations and roles. Yet, one aspect remains constant: communication. Clear expression of ideas is crucial, regardless of career stage. I learned this lesson firsthand over my 20-year tenure in software engineering. I thought to share a glimpse into my experience. Growing up in rural Sri Lanka, English wasn't a part of my daily life. When I moved to Colombo for school, I struggled with basic language skills while my peers excelled. Avoiding English classes led to poor grades and a fear of speaking the language. This fear persisted into my professional life. My first encounter with a foreign client left me terrified. Despite my technical contributions, communication held me back. Even on-site appointments became daunting because of language barriers. I...