Google-Scale Engineering for the Rest of Us

When “Software Engineering at Google” hit shelves in 2020, it felt like peeking behind the curtain of a software powerhouse. But as a CTO of a mid-sized tech company, I couldn’t help but wonder: how much of this actually applies to us?

Turns out, quite a bit. But not in the way you might think.

The Essence of Google’s Approach #

Google’s core principles aren’t about their massive scale or unlimited resources. They’re about fostering an environment where great software emerges from great teams. This isn’t a budget item; it’s a mindset shift.

Take their emphasis on knowledge sharing. They treat it with the same priority as code quality. Why? Because they recognize it as a force multiplier. In a mid-sized company, this could mean regular tech talks, pair programming sessions, or simply encouraging developers to write more comments and documentation.

Their code review process isn’t just about catching bugs. It’s a tool for mentorship and knowledge distribution. You don’t need Google’s custom tools for this. Start with pull requests and cultivate a culture of constructive feedback.

Adapting to 2024’s Reality #

Since the book’s publication, the tech landscape has shifted dramatically:

1. Remote work is now the norm, not the exception.
2. AI and machine learning have moved from “nice-to-have” to “must-have”.
3. Cloud-native approaches are standard, even for smaller companies.
4. Security and testing are shifting left, becoming part of the development process itself.
5. Open source contributions are increasingly seen as a measure of engineering culture.

These changes don’t invalidate Google’s principles; they make them more relevant. But they do require us to adapt how we implement them.

Practical Steps for Mid-Sized Companies #

Here’s how we can apply Google’s insights without Google’s resources:

1. Implement blameless post-mortems. When something goes wrong, focus on learning, not finger-pointing. This builds psychological safety and encourages innovation.

2. Start small with testing. Don’t aim for 100% coverage overnight. Begin with critical business logic, then expand gradually.

3. Invest in your build system. A reliable, reproducible build process pays dividends in productivity and stability. Tools like Docker can help here.

4. Foster a culture of knowledge sharing. This could be as simple as weekly tech talks or a well-maintained internal wiki.

5. Prioritize code health. Use static analysis tools to gain insights into your codebase’s health. Address issues incrementally.

6. Embrace continuous integration. Start with basic pipelines for linting, unit tests, and deployments. Expand as you go.

The key is to start small, measure impact, and iterate. Don’t try to become Google overnight.

Who Should Read This Book? #

Everyone involved in software development can benefit from “Software Engineering at Google”. Engineers at all levels will gain insights into scalable practices. Managers and leaders will learn about building engineering cultures that last. Even non-technical stakeholders can benefit from understanding the impact of engineering decisions on product development.

But here’s the catch: don’t read it as a blueprint. Read it as a source of ideas to adapt and experiment with.

The True Lesson #

The real value of “Software Engineering at Google” isn’t in its specific practices. It’s in the mindset it promotes: one of continuous improvement, rigorous thinking, and adapting to scale.

For mid-sized companies, the goal isn’t to replicate Google. It’s to take these principles and create something uniquely suited to your context. Start small, experiment often, and always be ready to challenge your assumptions.

In the end, the best engineering culture isn’t the one that looks most like Google’s. It’s the one that empowers your team to build great software, sustainably and joyfully.

That’s a goal worth pursuing, whether you’re a tech giant or a scrappy startup.