By David Afolabi
Imagine a world of software development projects gone rogue. Features are built in isolation, dependencies clash, deadlines slip, and budgets balloon. Stakeholders are confused and frustrated, and ultimately, the entire initiative grinds to a halt. This chaotic scenario is precisely what a Technical Program Manager (TPM) exists to prevent.
The TPM is a strategic leader that bridges the gap between technical execution and business objectives. Unlike a Project Manager (PM) who focuses on a single project’s delivery, a TPM oversees a broader program encompassing multiple interconnected projects. They also differ from other Product Managers and are contextually more preferred in product management-related roles.
The Roles and Responsibilities of a TPM
So, what exactly does a TPM do? Picture them as the orchestra conductor, wielding their expertise (like a baton) to ensure that all the technical and non-technical components are in harmony. Here are some of the core responsibilities (also indicating skills):
- Program Planning and Roadmapping: TPMs define the program vision, scope, and roadmap, ensuring alignment with strategic goals. They break down the program into manageable projects, identifying dependencies and potential risks.
- Technical Expertise: Unlike a traditional PM, TPMs possess a strong technical background. They understand the technology involved, speak the engineering language, and can translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
- Risk Management: A TPM proactively identifies and mitigates risks that could derail the program. They develop contingency plans and keep all stakeholders informed of potential roadblocks.
- Communication and Collaboration: They are the masters of communication, keeping all parties – engineers, designers, executives – informed and aligned. They foster collaboration across various teams and departments, ensuring everyone works towards a shared vision.
- Stakeholder Management: TPMs manage the expectations of diverse stakeholders, from executives seeking ROI to engineers focused on technical execution. They bridge the gap between business needs and technical realities.
- Metrics and Reporting: They establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track program progress and measure success. Regular reports keep stakeholders informed and help identify areas for improvement.
Becoming a Successful TPM: The Path to Mastery
To excel, a TPM needs a well-rounded skillset demonstrating mastery and a blend of technical prowess and project management expertise. Here are some of the skills, which also extend the responsibilities-skills mentioned above.
- Program alignment and integration skills: The ability to ensure that individual projects within a program are aligned with the overarching goals and objectives of the program and integrated seamlessly to achieve those objectives efficiently and effectively
- Technical Skills: The ability and understanding of relevant technologies, programming languages, systems, processes, etc., within the project domain, that enable informed decision-making and effective collaboration with technical teams.
- Quality management skills: The ability to Implement processes and standards to ensure project deliverables meet quality requirements and adhere to best practices.
- Stakeholder engagement and communication: The ability to identify, analyze, and manage the expectations, needs, and interests, and effectively manage relationships and ensure alignment with various stakeholders involved in the program.
- Collaboration Skills: The ability to build trust, foster collaboration, keep everyone informed, work well with others and achieve a common goal.
- Leadership Skills: The ability to set vision and direction, lead, delegate, coach, etc. For some TPM roles, TPMs lead without formal authority (of a manager), while for some, TPMs have PMs reporting to them. Thus, it is important to build the capability to influence and motivate diverse teams across multiple projects and functions to achieve program goals.
- Analytical Skills: The ability to analyze data, identify trends, make data-driven decisions and solve problems.
While certifications can demonstrate expertise and help one get a foot in the door of the hiring process, hands-on experience reigns supreme. Thus, there is a need to get hands-on opportunities through internships, volunteering with open-source projects, and/or participation in coding boot camps.
It is important to state that the path to becoming a TPM is dynamic. Some common entry points include:
- Software Engineer: can leverage technical expertise to transition into a TPM role by gaining project management experience.
- Project Manager: Project managers with a strong interest in technology can add technical skills to become TPMs.
- Business Analyst: Business analysts with a technical bent can transition to a TPM role by deepening their project management knowledge.
The above and closely related roles provide the potential to easily transition into TPM role. However, for those without the above or closely related roles, especially the technical roles opportunities to pivot (depending on the context), could be best sought by volunteering within or outside the current organization and/or participating in technical (coding) boot camps.
Conclusion
TPMs play a critical role in turning complex technical visions into reality. With the increasingly evolving demand for solutions to problems, new features, continuous improvement, faster change, digital transformation, etc., organizations can’t afford to have siloed projects and disconnected teams. This underscores the value of TPMs in bringing order to chaos, and ensuring projects align with business goals and are delivered on time and within budget. Their ability to manage technical and non-technical requirements makes them invaluable assets.
For aspiring TPMs, TPM offers a stimulating and rewarding career path. By blending technical expertise with project management skills, you can become the mastermind behind successful technical programs, driving product, innovation and shaping the future of technology. Hone the skills, embrace hands-on experience, and join the ranks of these indispensable tech leaders.
David Afolabi leads business technology, solutions architecture and engineering programs at BMG. He is a digital technology product – solutions expert with experience leading the design, development and implementation of products – solutions, including custom app, integration, intelligent automation, analytics solutions, etc.