TL;DR
PM Sandbox publishes a scenario called 'The Backchanneling VP' that places you in the role of an engineering manager at a fast-paced SaaS scale-up. The simulation presents a time-pressured stakeholder request from a VP of Sales and tracks metrics such as trust and team protection as you respond.
What happened
PM Sandbox published a scenario titled 'The Backchanneling VP' that casts the player as an Engineering Manager in a fast-paced SaaS scale-up. The antagonist in the scenario is Gary, identified as the VP of Sales and described as charming, revenue-driven and prone to pushing boundaries. The scene opens on a Thursday at 2:00 PM while the team is in a Deep Work period. A junior engineer, Leo, is observed not working; he reports receiving a direct message from Gary asking for a custom Q4 data export to be completed within one hour. The simulation begins with explicit starting metrics: Trust with Gary at 50% and Team Shield at 100%. A 'Training Wheels' indicator is present at the start of the scenario. Players are prompted to begin the scenario and presumably navigate the competing demands of a sales leader and protecting the team’s focus.
Why it matters
- Role-play scenarios let individual contributors practice managerial decisions in a simulated environment without real-world risk.
- The scenario foregrounds the trade-off between satisfying an urgent stakeholder request and preserving team focus and boundaries.
- Quantified metrics (e.g., trust, team shield) provide a measurable way to evaluate choices and potential downstream effects.
- Situations like backchannel requests are common friction points between engineering and sales in fast-moving SaaS contexts.
Key facts
- Scenario name: The Backchanneling VP.
- Platform: PM Sandbox (scenario page hosted on apmcommunication.com).
- Player role: Engineering Manager.
- Environment: Fast-paced SaaS scale-up.
- Antagonist: Gary, VP Sales — described as charming, revenue-driven, boundary-pusher.
- Initial scene: Thursday, 2:00 PM; team in 'Deep Work' mode.
- Incident: Junior developer Leo is pulled away to respond to Gary's DM requesting a custom Q4 data export in one hour.
- Starting metrics shown: Trust (Gary) at 50% and Team Shield at 100%.
- 'Training Wheels' indicator present at scenario start.
What to watch next
- How in-scenario actions affect the Trust (Gary) and Team Shield metrics during and after the request (confirmed in the source).
- Whether the simulation provides a post-scenario debrief or feedback on decisions (not confirmed in the source).
- If the scenario includes branching outcomes or difficulty settings beyond the 'Training Wheels' starting state (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Deep Work: A period of focused, uninterrupted concentration on cognitively demanding tasks.
- Backchanneling: Communicating directly with an individual team member outside formal channels or agreed processes, often bypassing usual coordination.
- Team Shield: A measure (in this scenario) that represents how well a manager protects the team from distractions and undue pressure.
- Trust (stakeholder): A quantitative indicator of confidence or goodwill between the manager and a stakeholder in the simulation.
- Training Wheels: A label implying an assisted or easier starting mode intended for learning or reduced risk while practicing.
Reader FAQ
What is the central conflict in the scenario?
A VP of Sales requests a rapid, ad-hoc data export directly from a junior developer during scheduled Deep Work time (confirmed in the source).
Who are the named characters?
The scenario names the manager/player role, the junior developer Leo, and Gary, the VP of Sales (confirmed in the source).
How does the simulation measure outcomes?
The scenario shows at least two metrics: Trust (Gary) and Team Shield; a 'Training Wheels' indicator is also present (confirmed in the source).
Is this designed specifically for engineers moving into management roles?
not confirmed in the source
Does the scenario include feedback or scoring after completion?
not confirmed in the source
PM Sandbox Scenarios Sign In Home/Library/The Backchanneling VP 🎯 The Backchanneling VP Your Role: Engineering Manager Environment: Fast-paced SaaS Scale-up Antagonist: Gary (VP Sales) — Charming, revenue-driven, boundary-pusher ⚡ The…
Sources
- Show HN: A simulator for engineers transitioning from IC to management
- Show HN: A simulator for engineers transitioning from IC to …
- What is good advice for IC designers transitioning …
- Ultra I&C
Related posts
- YC-backed RevisionDojo accused of coordinated astroturfing aimed at students
- Mira’s egg-shaped Ultra4 kit measures four reproductive hormones from urine
- Amazon adds to the lifestyle TV landscape with the Ember Artline TV