I often communicate complex technical problems to non-technical stakeholders, and it is essential to explain these issues clearly. Many managers and product owners lack technical backgrounds, so I use visual aids to enhance their understanding. I create charts and graphs with tools like Lucidchart or draw.io, as visual representations are highly effective.

I organize presentations to clearly outline the problems and proposed solutions, encouraging questions to ensure everyone comprehends the concepts being discussed.

For instance, when we were implementing consumption logs from Lambda to Kafka, open telemetry initially suggested this approach. I conducted a proof of concept and identified the limitations and costs involved.

I created diagrams to illustrate the situation: one for open telemetry, highlighting its limitations and costs, and another for Kafka, showcasing its benefits and efficiency. I presented these diagrams to the stakeholders and clearly explained the pros and cons of each approach.

The stakeholders understood the information and agreed to use Kafka, resulting in faster development and improved performance.

By utilizing visual aids, delivering clear presentations, and encouraging questions, we ensure that non-technical stakeholders effectively grasp complex technical issues.