At Code w/ Claude SF 2026, Fiona Fung, Director of Engineering for Claude Code, discussed how the adoption of agentic coding has significantly altered the team's engineering processes and structure.
Traditionally, engineering bandwidth posed a considerable expense in application development. Historical methodologies, from waterfall to agile, were designed around this costly aspect. However, the landscape has evolved, leading to a shift in how software is developed and deployed.
Fung reflected on her early career, noting the transition from shipping software on physical media to continuous online updates. Now, the focus is shifting once again, particularly regarding the time and personnel involved in coding.
New Challenges in Code Generation
With the introduction of agentic coding, the ability to generate code quickly has increased, yet it has also raised new concerns. Questions regarding code correctness, maintenance, and the efficiency of human code reviews have emerged. Fung emphasized the need for engineering leaders to adapt to these changes in their review processes.
Revising Planning Norms
The Claude Code team recognized that their old planning methods, which involved extensive pre-planning due to the high cost of coding time, were no longer effective. The team transitioned to a just-in-time (JIT) planning approach, focusing on immediate needs rather than long-term roadmaps. This shift has allowed for more dynamic project management, emphasizing prototyping and rapid feedback from internal users.
Leveraging Automation
Automation has become a key component of the team's workflow. For instance, Claude now assists in summarizing customer feedback, streamlining processes that were once time-consuming and manual. This has freed up engineers to focus on more complex tasks that require human expertise.
Human Review Where It Matters
While automation handles many routine tasks, human oversight remains crucial in specific areas. Legal reviews, security-sensitive code, and product design still require human involvement to ensure quality and compliance. As technology evolves, the balance between trust and verification will continue to shift.
Shifting Team Dynamics
The integration of Claude has transformed team roles, enabling product managers to engage more in coding and allowing engineers to explore areas like content and design. This cross-functional collaboration fosters creativity and innovation within the team.
Core Principles and Team Autonomy
Fung outlined the core principles that guide the Claude Code team, emphasizing the importance of flexibility. While certain principles are non-negotiable, sub-teams are encouraged to adapt their workflows to maximize the benefits of Claude's capabilities.
Key Metrics for Engineering Leaders
As engineering leaders implement changes, Fung recommended tracking specific metrics to assess the effectiveness of new workflows. It is essential to differentiate between throughput and actual success in solving problems.
Evaluating Workflow Efficiency
Fung concluded by urging leaders to critically assess their workflows. Identifying and automating inefficient processes can lead to significant improvements in productivity. She shared an anecdote about eliminating an unnecessary weekly meeting, highlighting the importance of questioning existing practices.
In summary, the Claude Code team's experience illustrates how adopting agentic coding can revolutionize engineering workflows, emphasizing the need for continuous evaluation and adaptation in a rapidly changing environment.
