Exploring the Technical Toolset
Learn the importance of having a domain-specific technical toolset and why it is so effective.
We'll cover the following...
We’ve covered both program and project management and their tactics, which are shared across all program manager roles. Now let’s discuss how our technical background provides us with a toolset to amplify our existing program and project management skills. This toolset is the key that sets a TPM apart from a generalized project manager.
Overview
There’s a reason why the T comes before the PM. The technical nature of the position is what differentiates a TPM from a generalist program manager. Often the area of focus is so deep within technology teams and technology products that specialized knowledge is needed to properly manage projects and programs. To be clear, not all companies actually use the term TPM; some continue to use the generalized PM moniker instead. Make no mistake, though—positions that involve dealing with technical teams definitely require a technical background.
As a TPM, we need to have some foundational knowledge in the technology space. We’ll go over the particulars across the industry throughout this course, but in general, that background should afford us some intermediary knowledge in software or hardware engineering. Although some jobs may cite a specific type of degree (for example, computer science), related degrees and experience suffice in many cases. At the ...