Summary

In this episode, the panel discusses the evolving landscape of interviews for Technical Program Managers (TPMs), particularly in light of recent changes due to COVID-19 and the rise of AI. They explore the importance of storytelling in interviews, the use of AI for preparation, and the significance of maintaining an achievement log. The conversation also touches on the differences in interview expectations between large and small companies, the balance of technical depth versus breadth, and strategies for demonstrating stakeholder management skills. The panel concludes with advice for candidates on how to navigate the interview process effectively.

Keywords

Keywords

TPM, interview process, AI in interviews, stakeholder management, technical program manager, COVID impact, achievement log, hybrid work, interview preparation, career advice

Chapters

00:00 Navigating the Evolving Job Market

01:36 The Anatomy of TPM Interviews

04:33 The Impact of AI and COVID on Interviews

12:24 Crafting Your Story for Interviews

18:06 Leveraging AI in Daily TPM Tasks

21:58 Interviewing in a Hybrid Work Environment

25:27 Expectations in Different Company Sizes

26:55 Interview Structures: Big vs. Small Companies

31:32 Technical Program Manager Expectations

37:41 Demonstrating Leadership and Stakeholder Management

43:18 Improving Interview Performance: Dos and Don'ts

47:16 Resilience in the Interview Process

In this engaging podcast episode, Doron and Elizabeth Harrin discuss the complexities of project management in today's fast-paced environment. They explore the evolution of the Rebel's Guide to Project Management, the challenges of managing multiple projects, and the impact of AI on the role of project managers. Elizabeth shares insights on prioritization, stakeholder engagement, and the importance of emotional intelligence in fostering effective team dynamics. The conversation emphasizes the need for adaptability, creativity, and proactive strategies in navigating the ever-changing landscape of project management.Takeaways

• The Rebel's Guide started as a platform to amplify women's voices in project management.
• Managing multiple projects requires a shift in mindset and techniques.
• AI can automate mundane tasks, allowing PMs to focus on strategic roles.
• Prioritization is often poorly executed in organizations, leading to chaos.
• Creating visibility around workloads helps in effective prioritization.
• Stakeholder engagement is crucial for project success and requires active communication.
• Emotional intelligence is essential for building trust and rapport within teams.
• Setting boundaries and protecting time for deep work is vital for PMs.
• Informal connections can enhance team dynamics and collaboration.
• The landscape of project management is evolving with new tools and methodologies.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Project Management and Elizabeth Harrin

03:26 The Evolution of the Rebel's Guide to Project Management

06:10 Managing Multiple Projects: Insights and Strategies

09:05 The Role of AI in Project Management

11:53 Prioritization: A Core Survival Skill for PMs

14:36 Protecting Time for Deep Work

17:21 Stakeholder Engagement: Building Relationships

20:11 Emotional Intelligence in Project Management

23:08 Conclusion and Resources

We explore the emerging trend of fractional TPMing, where project managers work part-time across multiple organizations. The discussion highlights the benefits and challenges of this model, including the importance of building trust, navigating intellectual property concerns, and the potential for fractional roles to evolve in the future. The speakers share insights on the strategic versus tactical roles of TPMs and the skills necessary for success in a fractional capacity.

• "25% of companies use fractional executives."
• "Building relationships is crucial for TPMs."
• "Time boxing is a challenge for TPMs."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fractional TPMing

02:46 The Rise of Fractional Executives

04:56 Understanding the Role of Fractional TPMs

07:06 Comparing Fractional TPMs to Other Roles

09:34 Fractional TPMs in Startups vs. Large Companies

11:28 Use Cases for Fractional TPMs

13:26 The Tactical vs. Strategic Role of TPMs

16:09 Building Trust as a Fractional TPM

18:10 Challenges of Timeboxing and Expectations

21:59 Intellectual Property and Confidentiality Concerns

24:27 Financial Viability of Fractional TPMing

26:50 Future of Fractional TPMing

30:37 Consulting and Mentoring as a Fractional TPM

31:41 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In this episode, the panel discusses the evolving landscape of Technical Program Managers (TPMs) in 2025, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the current job market. They explore the impact of AI on TPM roles, the importance of differentiation in skills, and strategies for navigating a lack of support in one's role. The conversation emphasizes the need for TPMs to invest in their program management skills and embrace cross-functional roles to enhance their career prospects.

In this episode, the panel discusses the evolution of Technical Program Management (TPM) and the impact of AI on the industry. Each panelist shares their origin story, highlighting how they stumbled into the TPM role. The conversation shifts to the significance of AI in their work, exploring how it can enhance productivity and decision-making. They emphasize the importance of prompt engineering and understanding AI limitations for effective management. The episode concludes with thoughts on the future of TPMs in an AI-driven landscape.

Soundbites:

• "AI is here to stay, it's not a fad."
• "AI can help you get unstuck."
• "Trust, but validate what AI tells you."

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Keywords: Technical Program Management, AI, Prompt Engineering, TPM Origin Stories, Industry Insights, Software Development, AI Limitations, Career Development, Engineering Management, Technology Trends

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TPM Craft: https://the-tpm-craft.beehiiv.com

TPM University: https://tpmuniversity.com

Technical Program Manager's Handbook: https://a.co/d/9A6pgrJ

Email us at podcast@tpmevents.org

Summary

In this conversation, Doron Katz speaks with Bruce McCarthy and Melissa Appel, authors of the book Aligned. They discuss the critical importance of alignment in product management, the challenges of stakeholder management, and the techniques for effective communication and decision-making. The conversation highlights the significance of building rapport, understanding different decision-making styles, and the role of vulnerability in leadership. They also delve into the DACI model for decision-making and the importance of involving stakeholders in the roadmap process.

Visit alignedthebook.com and get free tools and content.

James Dayhuff talks to us about AI Prompts for TPMs, live from the 2024 TPM Summit in Mountain View California.