Lateral Move
A lateral move is a career transition where a developer moves to a different role, team, or project at the same organizational level, without a promotion or significant change in seniority. It involves shifting responsibilities, technologies, or domains while maintaining similar compensation and title. This strategy is used to gain new skills, broaden experience, or address career stagnation.
Developers should consider a lateral move when seeking to diversify their skill set, explore new areas like switching from backend to frontend development, or escape a stagnant role without the pressure of a promotion. It's particularly useful in large organizations where internal mobility can prevent burnout and foster innovation by exposing employees to different teams and projects.