Technical Proficiencies Used Daily
Explore the flexibility in TPM roles, where a technical background is crucial for varied responsibilities.
Flexibility in TPM roles
In each of these roles, a generalist TPM can ramp up and perform the job because they have the pillars needed to be a successful TPM. This ramp-up is often costly in terms of both time and resources and isn’t always a fit for the needs of the organization. So, just as a PM could learn the technical foundation needed for a specific purpose or role, a TPM could do the same.
As we’ll explore further, technical skills are widely used at every stage of a project or program. We’ve discussed some of the roles and responsibilities that a TPM has in various aspects of project management. The table below provides a list of standard roles and responsibilities that a TPM may have where some level of technical acumen is needed:
Roles and responsibilities of a TPM
Key Management Area | Step | Role |
Planning | Refining requirements | Accountable |
Creating functional specification | Accountable/Responsible | |
Sprint planning | Responsible/Consult | |
Reviewing designs | Consult | |
Stakeholder management | Drafting communication plan | Accountable/Responsible |
Daily stand-ups | Consult | |
Status reports/meetings | Accountable | |
Monthly business review | Responsible | |
Risk management | Risk analysis | Accountable |
Risk monitoring | Accountable/Responsible | |
Issue resolution | Accountable |
Throughout the life of the project or program, the TPM is constantly drawing on their technical toolset to deliver key artifacts, resolve issues, drive clarity, and ultimately deliver on the goal.