From Coder to PM or Architect
The Coder
Much like everyone else, I started my career as a coder. Rob Conery from Tekpub has a great series on going from coder to developer here. Being the coder has it’s up sides, low responsibilities being one of them. If you just like to do what you do and go home, then there is no need to move up for you here. This usually consists of taking strict written or verbal requirements and turning them into a bit of code. This person is usually in charge of testing too. You usually are under at least one person who guides you a lot. But if you aspire to do more, you will most likely want to become a developer.
The Developer
The developer has a lot more decision making power when it comes to both requirements and system architecture. In most scenarios, a discovery phase of a project is done and then all of that is in turn made into functional requirements. The developer can be called upon to both try to make requirements from the discovery documents or review functional requirements for refinement. The developer also has a bit more reign when it comes to speaking to clients and making bigger decisions in system architecture and implementation.
The Architect
The architect has the ultimate power when it comes to the system architecture. This is the person called upon to solve the really complex problems. Usually the most talented person that codes for the hardest problems, but overall probably writes the least amount of code on the project. This sometimes isn’t by choice. A lot of the time it is due to the fact that this person is usually in charge of peer code reviews and other administrative duties. Especially duties of discovery and helping find all of the functional requirements. The architect also weighs the risks of implementing new technologies into the system. This person usually has the last call on what technologies go into the system, and what is left out.
The Project Manager
The PM is the person usually in charge of documentation and collaboration. Documenting the current processes through the discovery phase and then working with whom ever they need to to make a functional requirements document out of it. The PM does a lot of system testing to make sure everything passes to spec. The keep a constant watch over the project and budget to make sure that the client stays happy and the project comes in on budget.
The Decision
Starting out as a coder, you usually climb up the latter to a PM or an Architect. If you are in an unfortunate situation then sometimes you have to do it all. Depending on the type of person you are and your desires as a professional, you will choose different paths out of the coder role. I myself am finding that I’m having a hard time with the PM duties because I like to stay more on the technical side of things. I’m not sure if that may change in the future, but for now my next move up is most likely looking to be an Architect.
Conclusion
There comes a point in time as a coder where you will need to make a decision on which way is up. This decision will be made not only for career advancement, but also for some extra padding in the salary department. When that time comes you may be asked to try some things out that you may or may not love. I suggest you give it a good shot because you never know, some things might grow on you.