Pre-Start Preparation (Manager Responsibilities):
Equipment and Access Setup
- Hardware Provisioning: Laptop (MacBook Pro M2 or equivalent), external monitor, ergonomic accessories ordered 1 week before start date
- Software Licenses: Development tools (IDE, version control), productivity software (Slack, Notion), testing tools
- System Access Requests: Code repositories (GitHub), cloud platforms (AWS/Azure), internal tools, VPN access
- Workspace Assignment: Desk assignment with ergonomic setup or remote work package shipping coordination
Team Preparation
- Onboarding Buddy Assignment: Technical mentor (senior engineer) and culture guide (peer level)
- First Week Schedule: Team introductions, architecture overview, initial project assignment
- Documentation Package: Team processes, coding standards, architecture diagrams, recent project history
Week-by-Week Milestones:
Week 1: Foundation and Orientation
Day 1:
• Complete HR orientation (benefits, policies, compliance training - 3 hours)
• Set up development environment following team setup guide
• Meet onboarding buddy and technical mentor
• Attend team standup as observer
Day 2-3:
• Complete security training (security policies, data handling, incident response - 2 hours)
• Set up local development environment, clone repositories, build systems
• Review codebase overview, architecture documentation, coding standards
• Complete first small task (documentation update or minor bug fix)
Day 4-5:
• Attend all team ceremonies (standups, planning sessions, retrospectives)
• Shadow experienced developer during code review, debugging, deployment
• Begin first development task (small feature or improvement with buddy support)
Week 2: Technical Deep Dive
- Development Skills: Participate in code reviews (giving and receiving feedback), learn testing practices, understand deployment process
- Team Processes: Sprint planning participation, agile methodology training, communication norms establishment
- Milestone Deliverable: Complete assigned development task with code review and deployment
Month 1: Project Contribution
- Technical Milestones: End-to-end feature development, active code review participation, production issue resolution
- Professional Development: Skip-level manager meeting, performance expectations review, learning goals identification
- Milestone Deliverable: Present technical topic to team (architecture decision, tool evaluation, or process improvement)
Recent Process Changes:
Enhanced Security Onboarding (Implemented: November 2025)
What Changed: Added mandatory security certification and hands-on security exercise
Why: Response to increased security requirements and industry best practices
Impact: Additional 2 hours of training in first week, but improved security awareness scores by 40%
Peer Mentorship Program (Implemented: October 2025)
What Changed: Structured buddy system with defined responsibilities and regular check-ins
Why: Improve retention and accelerate technical integration based on exit interview feedback
Impact: Weekly 1:1s with technical mentor for first month, 25% faster time-to-productivity
Success Metrics & Check-ins:
Required Completions and Deadlines
- Week 1 Deadlines: Security training completion, system access setup (all development tools accessible), HR compliance documentation
- Month 1 Deadlines: First code contribution merged, performance expectations documented, technical presentation delivered
Review Schedule
- 30-Day Review: Manager assessment of technical progress and cultural integration, adjustment planning
- 60-Day Review: Formal performance check-in with goal setting and development planning
- 90-Day Review: Full performance evaluation with promotion track discussion and long-term development planning
Success Indicators:
• Technical competency demonstrated through code contributions
• Cultural integration shown through team participation
• Learning velocity measured by milestone completion
• Manager and peer feedback indicating readiness for independent work
