Eight foundational principles establishing the philosophy behind Career Topologies framework
Career development in technology organizations should be guided by clear principles that promote transparency, fairness, and growth. These eight principles inform every aspect of the Career Topologies framework.
Traditional career frameworks often suffer from opacity, political maneuvering, and rigid hierarchies that limit professional growth. The Career Manifesto establishes a different foundation—one built on evidence-based decisions, multiple advancement paths, and continuous evolution.
Clear, documented, accessible expectations
Career expectations, criteria, and progression paths must be explicitly documented and accessible to all team members. No hidden requirements or unstated rules.
Impact-based advancement, not politics
Promotions and recognition should be based on demonstrated impact and competency development, not tenure, politics, or favoritism.
Multiple paths honoring different strengths
Career frameworks must provide multiple advancement paths (IC, management, technical leadership) that honor different strengths and preferences equally.
Proficiency is developed, not innate
Skills and competencies can be learned and developed over time. Career frameworks should support growth through learning, experimentation, and continuous improvement.
Decisions grounded in demonstrated impact
Career decisions (promotions, level changes, compensation) must be grounded in concrete evidence of demonstrated impact and competency, not subjective impressions.
Ongoing dialogue, not annual reviews alone
Career development requires ongoing conversation, regular feedback cycles, and continuous calibration—not just annual performance reviews.
Support for exploration and role changes
Individuals should be supported in exploring different roles, tracks, and skill areas. Career paths are not linear; lateral moves and experimentation drive growth.
Community-driven continuous improvement
Career frameworks should evolve based on community feedback, industry changes, and organizational learning. Open-source collaboration enables continuous improvement.
These principles are not abstract ideals—they translate directly into the framework's design: