Technical Program Manager's Handbook

Book excerpt: Explore the different aspects of the technical program manager's role in the tech world and get ready to advance your career across the Big Five tech companies Key Features Uncover the secret to becoming a successful technical program manager Learn some of the system design principles and architectural concepts necessary for a TPM Get up and running with a wide range of foundational program management topics Book DescriptionThe technical program manager (TPM) is a relatively new role born out of the need of the tech industry to have a specialized practitioner who speaks both tech and business and leverages this bilingual talent to get results that no one else can. This book dives into what makes a TPM tick. You’ll find out which project and program management skills will help you shine and how you can apply your technical skills for effective results. This book looks at the TPM role across the Big Five tech companies (Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta) to help you discern the most effective skills to be successful no matter which company you work for. Are you already a well-performing TPM looking to see what’s next? This book identifies the career paths for a TPM at the Big Five to help you decide the next step for you. By the end of this book, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to be a TPM, along with a breakdown of the necessary technical and program management skills to develop a clear roadmap for your career.What you will learn Investigate why a TPM is an important role in the tech industry Understand the purpose and uniqueness of the TPM role Discover what makes a successful TPM Navigate project management with your unique technical skills Explorer the career opportunities available for a TPM Compare the TPM role and responsibilities across the Big Five tech leaders Who this book is for This TPM book is for aspiring and established technical program managers in the tech industry. To get the most out of this book, you should have a basic understanding of the project management life cycle and be comfortable with technical concepts as we dive into basic system design and architecture landscapes in context to the TPM role and expectations.