Running the Program • 153
preproduction (qualication testing), production, and nally, eld sup-
port. While oen these phases are contracted for by dierent types of
arrangements (for instance, T&M during the conceptual design and xed
price during the production phase), it is extremely possible that there may
be a single PM for the entire life cycle of the program. Customers and your
management may feel more comfortable, assuming you are doing a good
job, keeping you in place for the entire program. is could be several
years in duration—perhaps up to a decade.
While your personal primary competency may be in the design and
development phases, other considerations, such as the customer’s comfort
with you, may result in this type of very ...