[Software Engineering at Google] CH4 Engineering for Equity
less than 1 minute read
Bias Is the Default
When engineers do not focus on users of different nationalities, ethnicities, races, genders, ages, socioeconomic statuses, abilities, and belief systems, even the most talented staff will inadvertently fail their users
Understanding the Need for Diversity
At Google, we believe that being an exceptional engineer requires that you also focus on bringing diverse perspectives into product design and implementation
Values Versus Outcomes
Take a hard look in the mirror
Don’t build for everyone. Build with everyone
Design for the user who will have the most difficulty using your product
Don’t assume equity; measure equity throughout your systems
Change is possible
TL;DR
Bias is the default
Diversity is necessary to design properly for a comprehensive user base
Inclusivity is critical not just to improving the hiring pipeline for underrepresented groups, but to providing a truly supportive work environment for all people
Product velocity must be evaluated against providing a product that is truly useful to all users. It’s better to slow down than to release a product that might cause harm to some users
