Introducing Tech Terms

Sometimes it's not about finding a new word or phrase, it's about helping the lucky 10,000

As a former engineer turned product manager, I have realized that I will often use words and phrases that seem technical. These are rarely truly technical terms but are rooted in technical concepts. Many pieces of technical design and architecture are technical solutions to problems. As a product manager, my goal is to solve problems.

I have taken multiple approaches to this. I tried not to use those terms, and I tried to explain them as I used them. I occasionally got frustrated that people didn’t know the terms. But then I came across this XKCD comic about the “lucky 10,000”.

I read this, and it changed my perception. I went from frustration to excitement and elation. It became a moment I looked forward to. I could use a relevant term while helping someone be part of that lucky 10,000. Occasionally, I miss the mark, and it is too technical. However, more often than not it’s a great conversation and I learn a ton through the conversation and hearing other people think through it.

Most recently, I was on a bus to the airport at our company offsite. I was asked about the difference between REST and SOAP. I have worked with both of these technologies, but the activity of explaining them to someone who hadn’t helped me better understand them from a problem-solving perspective. That action will make me more equipped to do my job.

So now, instead of adding one at a time to the lucky 10,000, I hope to add more. Folks can get together and say they read this off-schedule series called Tech Terms. They can gather and yell, “There are dozens of us. Dozens!”

But as I come across new terms that I think are great mental models or ways to think about problem solving, I am just going to add them to this page. Over time there will be a list of cool terms and hopefully folks find it education. Also, feel free to comment terms you have heard but want to know more about and I’ll snag some of those as well.