book

Technical Program Manager's Handbook - Second Edition

by Joshua Alan Teter

September 2024

Intermediate to advanced

368 pages

10h 24m

English

Packt Publishing

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Who this book is forWhat this book coversTo get the most out of this bookProject and program templatesGet in touch
Understanding the modern TPMOld title, new meaningLearning the fundamentalsThe Systems Development Life CycleExploring what makes a TPM thriveKeeping forward momentumDriving toward clarityCommunication bridgesComparing adjacent job familiesWearing many hatsProgram management versus product managementExploring functional competencies across the industryInsights into the TPM life from interviewsA quick look into the main TPM career levelsSummary
Understanding project managementExploring the typical project management tacticsProject planningResource managementStakeholder managementRisk managementCommunicationDiving into program managementWhat is a program?Typical program management tacticsExploring the technical toolsetDiscovering the effectiveness of your technical toolsetSummaryAdditional resources
Examining the career paths of a TPMThe path to becoming a TPMThe paths of a TPMExploring the IC pathExploring the people manager pathWearing the hat of an adjacent roleMoving up a levelSummaryFurther readingAdditional resources
Introducing the Mercury programMercury program charterMercury project structureExamining the program-project intersectionExploring the key management areasProgram and project plansProgram and project risksPlansRisk registerStakeholder inputStakeholder planSummary
Clarifying thoughts into plansUsing clarity in key management areasPlanningWhat can happen when you don’t clarify your plan enough?Risk assessmentWhat can happen when you don’t clarify your risks?Stakeholders and communicationRisks of excluding stakeholders in clarification strategiesFinding clarity in the technical landscapeSummary
Driving clarity from requirements to planned workProject management toolsDiving deep into the project planRequirements gathering and refinementBuilding use cases from the requirementsTask breakdown with estimatesAssembling the project planWhen project planning has to be quickRepeatable high-level estimatesManagement checklistsProject plan templatesBuffersDefining milestones and the feature list of a planPlanning resources in a technology landscapePrioritizationTeam overheadOn-call rotationsTraining and team-related workTeam meetingsProject versus non-project hoursTooling for resource planningWhen resource planning has to be quickExploring the differences between a project and a programToolingPlanningKnowing when to define a programSummaryFurther readingAdditional resources
Driving clarity in risk assessmentRisk identificationRisk analysisUpdating the planRisk trackingDocumenting the progressTools and methodologiesWhen risk assessment needs to be quickManaging risks in a technology landscapeTechnical risks in the Mercury programExploring the differences between a project and a programSummaryAdditional resources

Driving clarity in stakeholder managementStand-upStatus updateLeadership reviewSenior leadership reviewCommunication timingDefining your stakeholdersStakeholder listRoles and responsibilitiesExploring the dos and don’ts for status reportsEvery action must have an owner and dateDefine your traffic light and stick to itA non-green status must have a path to greenKeep important details above the foldFormat and grammar matterManaging stakeholders in a technology landscapeCommunication systemsToolingTechnical versus non-technical stakeholdersExploring the differences between a project and a programScheduling communication for natural accountabilityLeadership syncsSummaryFurther readingAdditional resources
Defining a programDefining boundariesDeciding when to build a programBuilding a program from the startConstructing a program mid-executionTracking a programProgram planningRisk managementStakeholder managementKickoffLeadership syncsRoles and responsibilitiesCommunication strategiesThe art of interventionSummary
Identifying the components of emotional intelligenceSelf-awarenessSelf-regulationEmpathySocial skillsDiscovering your emotional intelligenceApplying emotional intelligence to technical program managementMaking decisionsDriving strategic visionStakeholder managementSummaryFurther readingAdditional resources
Examining the need for a technical backgroundTPM specializationsTechnical proficiencies used dailyUsing your technical toolset to wear many hatsDefining the technical toolsetCode proficiencySystem designArchitecture landscapeSummaryAdditional resources
Understanding code development expectationsNo code writing required!Exploring programming language basicsDiving into data structuresSpace and time complexitiesData structuresLinear data structuresNon-linear data structuresLearning design patternsCreational design patternsBuilder patternSimple factory patternSingleton patternStructural design patternsAdapter patternDecorator patternFaçade patternSummaryFurther reading
Learning about common system design patternsModel-View-PresenterObject-oriented architectureDomain-driven design architectureEvent-driven architectureP2P architectureService-oriented architectureClient-server architectureDesign considerationsLatencyAvailabilityScalabilitySeeing the forest and the treesExamining an architecture landscapePreparing for a system design interviewSummaryFurther readingAdditional resources
Distilling generative AI basicsData processingGenerative modelFeedback and improvement processesExamining current capabilities and limitations of AI toolsPerfecting prompt engineeringExploring AI tools in key management areasUtilizing AI in project planningAI in risk managementLeveraging AI for stakeholder management and communicationBridging communication gaps in software developmentSummaryFurther reading
Driving toward clarityPlan managementRequirements analysisProject planFeature designRisk managementRisk identificationRisk analysisStakeholder management and communicationCode basicsSystem designArchitecture designResolving conflictsConflicts in plan managementConflicts in risk managementConflicts in stakeholder management and communicationDelivering through leadershipSummary

Overview

Dive into the essential guide for Technical Program Managers with the 'Technical Program Manager's Handbook'. This book equips you with the skills needed to bridge technical knowledge with high-impact program management. By the end, you'll confidently manage complex technical projects and lead with expertise.

What this Book will help me do

Master the crucial blend of technical systems design and program management skills.
Learn to integrate AI tools for enhanced project planning and risk mitigation.
Develop emotional intelligence to build effective team dynamics and leadership.
Understand career paths and roles of TPMs in top-tier tech companies.
Apply insights from case studies and real-world examples to improve your TPM skills.

Author(s)

Joshua Alan Teter is a seasoned TPM professional with years of experience in major tech industries. Renowned for his ability to simplify complex technical concepts, he has authored leading technical guides that blend knowledge and practical application. With a passion for empowering individuals, Joshua's work reflects his dedication to the growth of technical managers.

Who is it for?

This handbook is ideal for aspiring and seasoned Technical Program Managers looking to refine their approach to managing technical programs. It is also suited for technical professionals transitioning to program management roles, offering actionable insights for career advancement. With its intermediate-to-advanced perspective, the book is well-suited for professionals familiar with basic project management. It aids readers in achieving clarity, planning effectively, and succeeding in leading technical programs.