How Atlassian built Rovo in 6 months: systematizing developer joy, autonomy/ownership, productivity champions & reducing ship time w/ Rajeev Rajan #240

How Atlassian built Rovo in 6 months: systematizing developer joy, autonomy/ownership, productivity champions & reducing ship time w/ Rajeev Rajan #240

Author: The Engineering Leadership Community (ELC) December 18, 2025 Duration: 46:37
Rajeev Rajan (CTO @ Atlassian) shares the leadership playbook he used to transform Atlassian’s engineering culture, and how that cultural foundation directly powered the build and launch of Rovo (Atlassian’s new AI powered app). We cover how they reduced ship time from 120 days to zero, why “developer joy” is the metric that matters, and how to create a community of developer productivity champions to scale DevEx transformation. Rajeev also breaks down his principles for systematizing autonomy and empowerment, including frameworks for giving direct reports more ownership. Plus, a look at the future of Atlassian’s “Systems of Work”!

Stepping into a leadership role in software engineering often feels like being given a map with half the landmarks missing. The Engineering Leadership Podcast, from The Engineering Leadership Community (ELC), fills in those blanks with conversations that feel like honest advice from a trusted colleague. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a grounded exploration of the specific perspectives, daily habits, and real-world examples that define effective leadership in technology. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the actual challenges engineering managers and directors face, from navigating complex team dynamics and technical debt to fostering innovation and sustaining culture during rapid growth. By tuning in, you gain access to a collective wisdom that helps you evolve your own approach, moving beyond just managing projects to truly leading people. The podcast serves as the audio companion to a broader community dedicated to elevating the craft of leadership in tech, offering tangible insights you can apply long after the episode ends. It’s for anyone who believes that building great software is inseparable from building great, supportive teams.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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