I'm a non-technical product manager and try to know what I don't know. When I need to start a project I sit with the engineers and present the issue: The goals, the plan, and a suggested general architecture along with a projected timeline.
Then the engineers give their feedback, modify my initial estimates and architecture and provide a plan of attack. I agree, then go back to the rest of my job of managing design, development, marketing, and business issues -- not to mention sorting out HR and hiring.
I don't have time to shoulder-program or try to dictate the exact terms of how something technical should be done. I try to trust my team to make the right decisions, and if they don't, we fix them.
Then the engineers give their feedback, modify my initial estimates and architecture and provide a plan of attack. I agree, then go back to the rest of my job of managing design, development, marketing, and business issues -- not to mention sorting out HR and hiring.
I don't have time to shoulder-program or try to dictate the exact terms of how something technical should be done. I try to trust my team to make the right decisions, and if they don't, we fix them.