TPM Ridge

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.TakeawaysThe 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.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Project Management and Elizabeth Harrin03:26 The Evolution of the Rebel's Guide to Project Management06:10 Managing Multiple Projects: Insights and Strategies09:05 The Role of AI in Project Management11:53 Prioritization: A Core Survival Skill for PMs14:36 Protecting Time for Deep Work17:21 Stakeholder Engagement: Building Relationships20:11 Emotional Intelligence in Project Management23:08 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."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Fractional TPMing02:46 The Rise of Fractional Executives04:56 Understanding the Role of Fractional TPMs07:06 Comparing Fractional TPMs to Other Roles09:34 Fractional TPMs in Startups vs. Large Companies11:28 Use Cases for Fractional TPMs13:26 The Tactical vs. Strategic Role of TPMs16:09 Building Trust as a Fractional TPM18:10 Challenges of Timeboxing and Expectations21:59 Intellectual Property and Confidentiality Concerns24:27 Financial Viability of Fractional TPMing26:50 Future of Fractional TPMing30:37 Consulting and Mentoring as a Fractional TPM31:41 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

David Rifkin, a Technical Program Manager at NVIDIA, shares his insights on the future of TPMs as we approach 2025. He discusses the transformative impact of AI on the role, the challenges of job market saturation, and the importance of adaptable skills. The conversation touches on strategies for overcoming a lack of support, networking, and the value of certifications. Additionally, Rifkin explores the transition from TPM to Site Reliability Engineering, highlighting the unique opportunities and challenges in evolving tech landscapes.

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."Keywords: Technical Program Management, AI, Prompt Engineering, TPM Origin Stories, Industry Insights, Software Development, AI Limitations, Career Development, Engineering Management, Technology Trends---TPM Craft: https://the-tpm-craft.beehiiv.comTPM University: https://tpmuniversity.comTechnical Program Manager's Handbook: https://a.co/d/9A6pgrJEmail us at podcast@tpmevents.org

Dylan Thomas, a team development expert at GitHub, shares intriguing insights on Tuckman's model of team dynamics during the TPM Summit 2024. He discusses the critical phases of team development: forming, storming, norming, and performing. Emphasizing psychological safety, he offers tools for navigating these stages effectively. Dylan also touches on the role of cultural differences and communication in team interactions, highlighting the importance of trust and reflective leadership in achieving high performance.

SummaryIn 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, an expert at HashiCorp and author of the TPM Craft newsletter, shares rich insights on AI prompts tailored for Technical Program Managers. He discusses empowering new TPMs with essential tools like Confluence, which includes a game-changing summarization feature. Dayhuff delves into leveraging generative AI for onboarding and communication, emphasizing the need for the right questions while safeguarding proprietary info. He also highlights AI's role in enhancing meeting management and introduces the CAPE framework to clarify TPMs' vital contributions.

Join Aman Bawa, a senior director at Salesforce, and Stefan Crespo from Algolia as they discuss highlights from the TPM Summit 2024. They explore the evolution of technical program management and the challenges faced by engineers in startups versus larger organizations. The conversation dives into the importance of prioritizing high-value tasks and effective communication for enhancing team dynamics. They also touch on how AI and community engagement are shaping the future of TPM, stressing the significance of trust and collaboration in successful teams.

We talk with Coda's Engineering Chief of Staff, Jane Chiu live at the 2024 TPM Summit in California.

We talk with Harman Batra, Senior Director at McAfee about his experienes as a TPM, in our second interview, live at the 2024 TPM Summit.