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This video overemphasizes the importance of technical/coding background. Plenty of TPMs do not have coding backgrounds, but instead come from project management dealing with technical products, technical writing, etc.
If you're working as a TPM within large organizations, you absolutely will need a technical background. TPMs manage budget and scope, support in architecture design, and product development. Additionally, they directly support engineering teams day-to-day and roadmap. These things are well outside the scope of a project manager. Lastly, TPMs will be managing multiple programs and engineering teams; again, this is well outside the scope of a project manager.
Notes: 1. what is a TPM? t technical tpms unsurprisingly requires a technical background for the most part tpms must be capable of making strategic decisions based on their technical expertise this means most tpms need a coding or technical background to succeed p program tpms are centered on developing and executing technical programs for thebusiness in the context of tpms programs are a plan to accomplish a business goal with details on what to work on and by whom m management tpms manage the success of programs this includes ensuring projects are delivered on time and that metrics match the business's goals tpms work alongside other engineers, product managers and stakeholders as they develop programs a massive aspect of a tpm's job is keeping their programs on track technical programs may be pretty complex many different projects each with their own timelines so it's the tpm's job to make sure all of these projects are running smoothly so that the program's timeline can be maintained 2. how are they different from project managers? the fact that tpms are responsible for working cross-functionally to get programs delivered on time might make it appear as if they're project managers well the way you can think about this is that projects are subsets of programs a program can comprise several related and interconnected projects tpms are responsible for all aspects of these projects as a result they're often tasked with working through every phase in the program's life cycle from the beginning idea phases to the monitoring phases in the end this requires them to have strong program sense, cross-functional working relationships and the technical ability to be involved in engineering discussions 3. What skills are needed to transition into a TPM role? it's no surprise that tpm is a multi-faceted position in the company one that requires interdisciplinary skills there are five skills you should focus on so that you can display that you're capable of being a tpm 1) strong technical aptitude every tpm must have strong aptitude and understanding of their organization's technical aspects and capabilities their technical knowledge will be indispensable for developing and executing programs 2) planning and strategic thinking program management positions are deeply strategic focusing on long-term big picture initiatives intended to meet an organization's business goals tpms develop the program's roadmaps and strategies while leading the teams that execute them this is where excellent people skills come into play allowing tpms to get buy-in make strategic decisions and get the team's trust 3) strong understanding of business goals a tpm must understand the objectives of their company otherwise they would not be in the position to develop and deploy programs that would actually result in success and create business impact because of a tpm's focus on an organization's long-term strategic goals a successful tpm must have the ability to recognize, measure and mitigate the many risks that come with their programs they must be able to make prudent decisions about how to best apply an organization's time, resources and personnel to achieve some end 4) strong communicators communication is the foundation of the position as tpms must communicate the strategies roadmaps and issues connected with their programs to all stakeholders involved tpms are tasked with communicating complex technical ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences on their team 5) strong leadership numerous employees may work extensively on a project within the tpm's program as such much of their day-to-day workflow is determined by the strategies and roadmaps defined by their tpm tpms need strong leadership skills to successfully guide folks through the execution of the program as companies grow the need for tpms will only increase to make sure that programs are successful and cross-functional teams are working as one cohesive unit
Very good details but when you talked about the Core TPM Skills - you went with the flow. Would have been nice if you shared bullet points of the core skills while explaining, very difficult to follow which are the 5 skills. Thanks.
TPMs own multiple projects in a program and a product manager owns subset of these projects. A TPM will work with multiple product managers for different projects. Example: A TPM will own 8 projects in a program and a product manager will be directly responsible for the success of 3 projects. This means a TPM will work with 3 product managers in a program
I'm currently working as a Senior Project Manager, and I find it difficult to pick either I should go for Technical Program Management career or Technical Product Management career. As I know in terms of money they are pretty the same, in terms of job duties they are different, but I don't know which I like more, because as for now I'm doing kind of both of these roles :D what is your opinion about it?
Hey GoogleAccount-zl4vc! It's so great that you are looking to pursue these exciting careers. If you enjoy the blend of responsibilities you currently have, it might be helpful to explore both paths further. You can research in-depth about the day-to-day tasks, required skills, and career progression for each role. Additionally, consider reaching out to professionals in both fields for insights and networking opportunities. Hope this helps!
I’m a TPM and do not know how to code, but i have a strong technical aptitude and business acumen and be able to pick things up very easily. I think this video should say that instead of emphasizing the coding bit. There are many IT professionals who do not know how to code, those are the professions of the developers.
Want to get ready for your upcoming TPM interview? Exponent's complete TPM interview product course will help you land the job. Start today: bit.ly/3wSiEmC
TPM's & Scrum Masters - How do these two roles go hand in hand - how do you differentiate on the roles here?
This video overemphasizes the importance of technical/coding background. Plenty of TPMs do not have coding backgrounds, but instead come from project management dealing with technical products, technical writing, etc.
If you're working as a TPM within large organizations, you absolutely will need a technical background. TPMs manage budget and scope, support in architecture design, and product development. Additionally, they directly support engineering teams day-to-day and roadmap. These things are well outside the scope of a project manager. Lastly, TPMs will be managing multiple programs and engineering teams; again, this is well outside the scope of a project manager.
Notes:
1. what is a TPM?
t
technical
tpms unsurprisingly requires a technical background for the most part
tpms must be capable of making strategic decisions based on their technical expertise
this means most tpms need a coding or technical background to succeed
p
program
tpms are centered on developing and executing technical programs for thebusiness
in the context of tpms programs are a plan to accomplish a business goal with details on what to work on and by whom
m
management
tpms manage the success of programs
this includes ensuring projects are delivered on time and that metrics match the business's goals
tpms work alongside other engineers, product managers and stakeholders as they develop programs
a massive aspect of a tpm's job is keeping their programs on track
technical programs may be pretty complex
many different projects each with their own timelines
so it's the tpm's job to make sure all of these projects are running smoothly so that the program's timeline can be maintained
2. how are they different from project managers?
the fact that tpms are responsible for working cross-functionally to get programs delivered on time
might make it appear as if they're project managers
well the way you can think about this is that projects are subsets of programs
a program can comprise several related and interconnected projects
tpms are responsible for all aspects of these projects
as a result they're often tasked with working through every phase in the program's life cycle
from the beginning idea phases to the monitoring phases in the end
this requires them to have strong program sense, cross-functional working relationships and the technical ability to be involved in engineering discussions
3. What skills are needed to transition into a TPM role?
it's no surprise that tpm is a multi-faceted position in the company
one that requires interdisciplinary skills
there are five skills you should focus on so that you can display that you're capable of being a tpm
1) strong technical aptitude
every tpm must have strong aptitude and understanding of their organization's technical aspects and capabilities
their technical knowledge will be indispensable for developing and executing programs
2) planning and strategic thinking
program management positions are deeply strategic
focusing on long-term big picture initiatives
intended to meet an organization's business goals
tpms develop the program's roadmaps and strategies while leading the teams that execute them
this is where excellent people skills come into play
allowing tpms to get buy-in make strategic decisions and get the team's trust
3) strong understanding of business goals
a tpm must understand the objectives of their company
otherwise they would not be in the position to develop and deploy programs that would actually result in success and create business impact
because of a tpm's focus on an organization's long-term strategic goals
a successful tpm must have the ability
to recognize, measure and mitigate the many risks that come with their programs
they must be able to make prudent decisions about how to best apply an organization's time, resources and personnel to achieve some end
4) strong communicators
communication is the foundation of the position
as tpms must communicate the strategies roadmaps and issues connected with their programs to all stakeholders involved
tpms are tasked with communicating complex technical ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences on their team
5) strong leadership
numerous employees may work extensively on a project within the tpm's program
as such much of their day-to-day workflow is determined by the strategies and roadmaps defined by their tpm
tpms need strong leadership skills to successfully guide folks through the execution of the program
as companies grow the need for tpms will only increase to make sure that programs are successful and cross-functional teams are working as one cohesive unit
Thank you!!!
Very good details but when you talked about the Core TPM Skills - you went with the flow. Would have been nice if you shared bullet points of the core skills while explaining, very difficult to follow which are the 5 skills. Thanks.
One of my ideas for a business would be a preinstalled app that allows you video call anyone just by describing them
Is there a direct correlation between TPMs and Product manager?
TPMs own multiple projects in a program and a product manager owns subset of these projects. A TPM will work with multiple product managers for different projects.
Example: A TPM will own 8 projects in a program and a product manager will be directly responsible for the success of 3 projects. This means a TPM will work with 3 product managers in a program
In my company we call TPMs as Technical leaders - TL.
change the company :D
I'm currently working as a Senior Project Manager, and I find it difficult to pick either I should go for Technical Program Management career or Technical Product Management career.
As I know in terms of money they are pretty the same, in terms of job duties they are different, but I don't know which I like more, because as for now I'm doing kind of both of these roles :D what is your opinion about it?
Hey GoogleAccount-zl4vc! It's so great that you are looking to pursue these exciting careers. If you enjoy the blend of responsibilities you currently have, it might be helpful to explore both paths further. You can research in-depth about the day-to-day tasks, required skills, and career progression for each role. Additionally, consider reaching out to professionals in both fields for insights and networking opportunities.
Hope this helps!
Terrible description. What kind-of technical background do TPMs need...be a little bit more detailed
exactly, and who the heck told him being able to code is a required
I’m a TPM and do not know how to code, but i have a strong technical aptitude and business acumen and be able to pick things up very easily. I think this video should say that instead of emphasizing the coding bit. There are many IT professionals who do not know how to code, those are the professions of the developers.