Introduction

Get introduced to the Technical Program Management role. Learn about the rationale behind this course.

We'll cover the following

What is a “TPM”?

Technical Program Manager. Technical Product Manager. Technical Project Manager. There are so many different titles crammed into the TPM abbreviation. And if you ask anyone working in tech about what a TPM actually does, you’ll get just as many, if not more, different responses.

But this course will focus on the first title: Technical Program Manager. This title is most widely used at major tech companies, and it is also the one your author is most familiar with. So, what does a Technical Program Manager do? Well, you could write pages upon pages of what a TPM should do: anti-patterns, best practices, and more. But, you can sum up the purpose of a TPM in one simple sentence: help teams make, communicate, and execute good, timely decisions.

This idea has been a recurring theme while I worked with various engineering teams and engineering managers across multiple companies. There are many activities involved to make this phrase a reality, which is why the role can vary so much between individuals and companies.

Some of the work is highly strategic:

  • Understanding the problem space
  • Defining workstreams
  • Aligning cross-functional teams

Some of the work is super technical:

  • Creating metrics and the dashboard
  • Analyzing large datasets
  • Designing technical solutions
  • Automating processes

Some of the work is very tactical:

  • Setting up meetings
  • Taking notes
  • Following up on tasks and action items

Regardless, it’s your job to make sure this gets done. This will be an overarching theme that will be referenced throughout the course. Keep this idea at the back of your mind as you continue.

Purpose

So, what’s the purpose of this course? Why bother reading on? Well, I’ve realized that I’ve had a rather unique path in Technical Program Management across multiple well-respected companies, and I thought I’d share some things I’ve learned. There’s a lot of content for various other technical roles such as software engineering or product management, but there is not much for TPMs. The goal for this course is to help those who are currently in the profession to gain a new perspective and help those looking to break into Technical Program Management.

Full disclaimer: This course is not meant to be a one-stop shop for TPM interview questions. While I will spend a decent amount of time discussing this topic, along with sample questions and frameworks since they are important parts of a successful TPM career, I won’t be “spilling the beans” on any confidential questions that I’m privy to or discuss my own specific interview questions. Rather, this course is meant to focus on a holistic approach to the role:

  • What the role is all about
  • The types of interviews you’ll need to ace
  • Transitioning into the TPM role
  • Practical lessons learned along the way.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or someone looking to break into technical program management, I hope you’ll find this course useful in your career journey.