Moving Away From The "T-Shaped" Developer
The “T-shaped” model has guided developer growth for years, encouraging deep expertise in one area with broad knowledge across others.
However, as software systems grow more interconnected, this approach falls short of preparing developers to fully understand and contribute to complex systems.
Today’s developers need focused expertise paired with practical knowledge across closely related areas.
Enter the “V-shaped” developer, a model in which depth in a primary skill is paired with working knowledge in connected fields. This approach enables developers to understand dependencies, collaborate seamlessly across teams, and tackle problems with a big-picture mindset.
In this issue, we’ll explore the V-shaped developer model and show how it can make you a more versatile, strategic contributor, ready to navigate complex architectures and make a more significant impact.
How is a V-Shaped Developer Different
When developers focus too narrowly on one area, they risk losing sight of the broader system. A narrow specialization can lead to missed insights, especially in complex environments where various parts interact constantly.
Here’s how a V-shaped approach helps overcome these limitations:
- Ability to Connect Dots: With a solid grasp of related areas, V-shaped developers see how different pieces interact and solve problems across multiple parts of the system.
- Improved Collaboration: Knowledge of connected fields allows V-shaped developers to speak the language of other specialists, making it easier to coordinate with UI, data, and security teams.
- System-Wide Insight: Focusing on the bigger picture helps V-shaped developers design solutions that fit seamlessly into the overall architecture, reducing friction and creating more resilient products.
In short, V-shaped developers don’t just work on their part of the system—they bring value by understanding and shaping how it all fits together.
Building a V-Shaped Skill Set
The difference between a "T-Shaped" and a "V-Shaped" developer focuses on gaining experience in connected areas. Here’s what that might look like for an API developer:
Primary Expertise: Your core focus is on designing, building, and optimizing APIs, where you aim for true depth.
Key Connected Areas: You develop practical knowledge in areas directly tied to your primary skill for broader impact. For example:
- Data Modeling: Gain a working understanding of data storage and structure, enabling you to handle data efficiently within APIs.
- API Security: Know API security essentials—like authentication and authorization—to protect data and ensure safe interactions.
Surface-Level Areas: Finally, build foundational awareness in a few areas that impact the larger system, helping you understand broader contexts without deep dives:
- DevOps Basics: Familiarity with deployment, CI/CD, and monitoring helps you anticipate how your API will run in production.
- Networking Essentials: Knowing core networking concepts, such as HTTP, REST, and latency, helps you consider performance and connectivity issues.
- User Experience (UX): A basic understanding of UX principles ensures you keep end-user needs in mind when designing APIs.
Together, these layers of knowledge allow you to deliver high-quality work that fits seamlessly into the broader system while staying focused on your core area. You’re not aiming to master every field but to know enough to communicate, solve problems, and contribute with a well-rounded perspective.
How to Become a V-Shaped Developer
- Identify Your Core Expertise: Choose an area to focus on where you want to build real depth. This should be something you’re passionate about, which aligns with your career goals—for example, API development, front-end engineering, or data analysis.
- Map Out Connected Areas: Identify the areas closely tied to your core expertise. These skills will help you understand how your work interacts with other parts of the system. List 2–3 related fields to focus on, like front-end basics, data modeling, or security practices
- Set Learning Goals for Each Area: Outline clear, achievable learning goals for each connected area. For example, if you’re focused on API development, you might aim to understand basic front-end requirements, data structuring methods, and security fundamentals. The goal isn’t mastery but enough knowledge to solve problems and collaborate effectively.
- Build Awareness of Broader System Concepts: Familiarize yourself with surface-level concepts in DevOps, networking, or UX. Read articles, attend workshops, or ask colleagues for insights to develop a general understanding. These areas will add context to your work and strengthen your big-picture thinking.
V-shaped developers stand out because they don’t just focus on one specialty—they also build knowledge in connected areas.
Where T-shaped skills emphasize depth in a single area with broad but shallow knowledge elsewhere, V-shaped skills target related fields that directly support core expertise. This creates a skill set that’s both specialized and adaptable.
To develop your own V-shape, start by identifying how your expertise connects to other parts of the system. Then, look for any gaps in your understanding of these areas and begin filling them in.
This way, you’ll strengthen your primary skills and become a more versatile, strategic contributor with a clear view of the bigger picture.