Macro Vision

One question I received recently from a developer friend, who also happens to be my tech lead, really stuck with me: "How can I think with a macro vision?"

The question wasn’t random. We were working on a particularly challenging feature together: a dynamic analysis form creation. It’s the kind of task that, on the surface, sounds simple but demands intricate arithmetic logic and a high degree of technical rigor. I’d presented the feature in multiple team meetings, and each time, I framed it in a way that resonated with both developers and non-technical members alike. My friend noticed that even though the project was complex, everyone understood the big picture. This inspired the question, and it’s a question that cuts to the heart of what it means to be an effective tech lead, or assistant.

After more than ten years in software development, one of the most valuable skills I’ve learned is seeing the big picture. This “macro vision” is essential for a tech lead, and it’s something I believe every senior developer should work on developing. Let me walk you through my process, using this recent project as an example.

1. Understand the Purpose, Not Just the Task

When faced with complex tasks, it’s easy to get bogged down in the technical weeds. But developing a macro vision means constantly pulling back to ask: Why are we doing this? What’s the core purpose of this feature, and how does it contribute to the product’s overall value?

For our dynamic analysis form, the purpose wasn’t just to “create a form with complex logic.” It was about empowering our users to conduct custom analyses that are as flexible as they need them to be. Keeping that purpose front and center allowed me to avoid getting too mired in the technical details when presenting it to the team. Instead, I focused on the user’s perspective and how this feature would ultimately benefit them.

2. Simplify Before You Dive Deep

When explaining a complex feature, I find it’s best to start with a simplified version of the idea. Imagine you’re explaining the concept to a non-technical friend. Break it down into simple terms without the technical jargon. With our form project, I described it as “a form that adapts to the user’s needs, kind of like a customizable spreadsheet.”

Starting simple provides a common ground for everyone involved. It gives the team a foundational understanding they can build upon, and it allows them to ask questions about the basics before we dive into the more technical aspects. This approach helps keep everyone on the same page and prevents confusion later on.

3. Outline the Core Components

Once the purpose and simplified explanation are clear, I move to the next level of detail, focusing on the feature’s core components. For our form, I broke it down into three key areas:

• Dynamic Form Structure: How we build a form that can change based on user inputs.
• Arithmetic Logic Engine: How we handle complex calculations within the form.
• User Experience: Ensuring that the form remains intuitive and user-friendly despite its complexity.

4. Know When to Zoom In and Out

As a tech lead assistant, I spend a lot of time zooming in and out of the details. This is critical for maintaining a macro vision while still supporting the technical aspects of the project. When discussing implementation with the team, I might zoom into a specific part, like how we handle conditional logic in the arithmetic engine. But then I quickly zoom out to connect that piece back to the big picture.

Think of it like adjusting a camera lens. When things get too narrow, you lose sight of the big picture; when things are too broad, the important details blur. Developing a macro vision means constantly adjusting that lens to provide the right level of focus for the moment.

5. Encourage Questions and Adapt as You Go

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned over the years is that macro vision isn’t static; it evolves as the project and team do. I encourage my team to ask questions and voice their thoughts. Often, a seemingly minor question will reveal an aspect of the project that we hadn’t fully considered, prompting us to adjust our approach. It’s a dynamic, two-way process.

With our form creation project, for instance, a junior developer’s question about data validation led us to rethink part of the logic engine, making it more robust in the process. Good questions allow you to keep refining your macro vision and ensure it aligns with the needs of the project and team.

6. Practice, Reflect, and Repeat

Like any skill, developing a macro vision takes practice. After each project, I take some time to reflect. What went well? Where did I get lost in the weeds? What could I have done to keep the big picture clearer for myself and the team?

Every project is an opportunity to improve. Over time, these reflections help me refine my approach and become better at balancing the details with the broader perspective.

The end

Thinking with a macro vision is a skill that takes years to develop, but it’s essential for effective leadership in any tech role. It’s about keeping the purpose in mind, simplifying when necessary, understanding the core components, knowing when to zoom in and out, encouraging questions, and reflecting on each experience.

Being able to bridge the gap between technical complexity and clear communication is what makes you a stronger tech lead and, ultimately, a better developer. So to my tech lead friend, and anyone else wondering, “How can I think with a macro vision?”  it’s about balancing focus with flexibility, and always keeping the user and the purpose of the feature in mind.