You're in charge of evaluating a leader's effectiveness in Algorithms. What's the best way to measure it?

1 Problem-solving skills

One of the most important aspects of Algorithms is the ability to solve problems creatively and logically. A leader in Algorithms should be able to identify the key features and constraints of a problem, break it down into smaller and simpler subproblems, and apply appropriate algorithms and data structures to solve them. You can measure this skill by giving them challenging and diverse problems to solve, either on paper, on a whiteboard, or on a computer. You can also ask them to explain their thought process, justify their choices, and compare their solutions with alternative ones.

2 Coding skills

Another essential aspect of Algorithms is the ability to code them in a clear, concise, and correct way. A leader in Algorithms should be able to write code that implements the algorithms they design, follows good coding practices and standards, and handles edge cases and errors gracefully. You can measure this skill by reviewing their code quality, readability, and style, as well as testing their code functionality, performance, and robustness. You can also ask them to refactor their code to improve its efficiency, readability, or maintainability.

3 Theoretical knowledge

A third important aspect of Algorithms is the theoretical knowledge of the underlying concepts, principles, and techniques. A leader in Algorithms should be able to understand and explain the complexity, correctness, and optimality of the algorithms they use or create, as well as the trade-offs and limitations involved. You can measure this skill by asking them to analyze and compare the time and space complexity of different algorithms, prove or disprove the correctness or optimality of an algorithm, and apply or adapt existing algorithms to new scenarios or domains.

4 Communication skills

A fourth crucial aspect of Algorithms is the communication skills to convey the ideas, solutions, and results of the algorithms to different audiences and stakeholders. A leader in Algorithms should be able to communicate effectively and persuasively, using appropriate language, terminology, and notation, as well as visual aids, diagrams, and examples. You can measure this skill by observing how they present and explain their algorithms to their peers, managers, clients, or users, as well as how they listen and respond to feedback, questions, and suggestions.

5 Learning skills

A fifth vital aspect of Algorithms is the learning skills to keep up with the latest developments, trends, and innovations in the field. A leader in Algorithms should be able to learn new algorithms, frameworks, tools, and languages quickly and independently, as well as to update and improve their existing skills and knowledge. You can measure this skill by evaluating how they approach new or unfamiliar problems or technologies, how they research and acquire relevant information and resources, and how they apply and integrate their learning outcomes to their projects or tasks.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?