Technical Program Manager's Handbook: Unlock your TPM potential by leading technical projects successfully and elevating your career path
, Second Edition
Learn advanced system design principles and architectural concepts necessary for a TPM
Get up to speed with AI-driven project planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication tools
Benefit from practical tools, methodologies, case studies, and real-world examples
Description
The role of the Technical Program Manager (TPM) is crucial in the tech industry, bridging the gap between technical expertise and business acumen. The second edition of the Technical Program Manager’s Handbook offers a comprehensive guide to excelling in this role. Building on the foundational concepts from the first edition, this updated version introduces new chapters that explore the integration of AI and Emotional Intelligence (EI) in program management. These crucial additions complement the broader focus of the book on bridging business and technology but don’t overshadow it. You'll learn how to apply AI-driven tools to enhance project planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication, as well as how to leverage EI to build strong team relationships and improve leadership effectiveness.
This book provides practical tools, methodologies, and case studies, offering insights from industry leaders to help both aspiring and practicing TPMs apply advanced concepts and strategies effectively. It also explores the unique aspects of the TPM role in major tech companies, helping you to navigate and thrive in your career.
By the end of this book, you'll have a clear understanding of the TPM role, along with a breakdown of the necessary technical and program management skills, to develop a clear roadmap for your career.
Who is this book for?
This book is designed for aspiring and established Technical Program Managers (TPMs), tech professionals transitioning into TPM roles, and recent graduates embarking on careers in technology consulting. It's also valuable for business analysts, project managers, and anyone supporting or working alongside TPMs. To fully benefit from this book, readers should have a basic understanding of the project management life cycle and be comfortable with technical concepts, as it dives into advanced topics and real-world applications.
What you will learn
Uncover the critical importance of the TPM role in the tech industry
Understand and leverage the unique aspects of the TPM role
Discover what makes a successful TPM through real-world case studies
Master project management with advanced technical skills and AI tools
Apply EI to enhance leadership and team management
Explore careers and paths for TPMs in the Big Five tech companies
Josh is a proven and accomplished TPM, one of the originals really. His content reflects his experience-- and anyone practicing the craft and looking to improve will have something to take away from this book. There's a good balance of technical and program management and he does a great job creating the manual for a role that is hard to contain in a box. Don't pursue a career in TPM without this book!
Amazon Verified review
ChippyMomOct 15, 2024
5
I have been a technical program manager for many years, however this book still gave me many new tips and tricks. The book is very well laid out, and is written in such a way that the reader can choose to read from beginning to end, or select particular chapters that they want more information on.I especially like the case study and examples Josh uses throughout the book- it makes the concepts much more accessible.I have recommended this book to more junior TPMs, as well as people who are “TPM Curious “.I loved the first edition, and the second edition is even better with its very relevant new chapters on AI and EQ.Highly recommend!!
Amazon Verified review
L.Oct 11, 2024
5
If I could go back in time and buy myself this book in 2019, it would have saved me countless hours. This book by Joshua Alan Teter, is a shockingly complete reference to being a technical program manager. If you know someone starting a new role, transitioning into the role, or planning to hire anyone who works in this role, this is an excellent and meaty reference.I do ample reading, attend conferences, and have given my own presentations on the topic. I know quite a bit about being a TPM, but I still learned multiple things per chapter. I will use this book going forward. The examples are handy to have for almost every artifact.StatusThe chapter on status cracked me up because as far back as 15 years ago when making my first cross-product roadmaps when reporting quality for the first Adobe Creative Suites (Now Adobe Creative Cloud), I learned the perils of too many colors on the status diagram and coined the phrase, "If it isn't red or green, it can't be seen." I have insisted on stoplight colors for status, defining in advance, and sticking to the colors regardless of what anyone says. If it's defined as orange, it better be orange in the actual status. No Greenish-Orange and no deep dark orange to prevent a red status. The author states this factually and my experience matches their recommendation. Sometimes it is the standard for a good reason. It isn't that no one thought purple and blue might be "more calming". It's that we humans can't hold the definitions in our heads. In diagrams, just like in programming, KISS (keep it simple, smartypants). The cost isn't in the cost to create. It's the cost to read it. It needs to be simple for the audience, not the creator.A few other reviewers felt the git walkthrough was the most helpful part. I already used git and svn before I was ever a TPM, so maybe that is why I felt understanding the TPM levels was more helpful. I appreciated the discussion about emotional intelligence, a crucial aspect of leadership in all contexts.If I had to come up with a criticism, this book is long. It is not an overview. There is as much meat in this book as an entire butcher shop. It is incredibly dense. It is presented factually without too much opinion. I hope I never have to interview competing against the author. I feel there as much merit and completeness in this book as in the PMBOK (sorry, please don't kick me out of the PMI).I valued the part about preparing for a system design interview so much. I need help practicing because I have panicked and my mind goes blank. It's like I could mess up writing my name because of anxiety. It would make my dreams come true if the author interviewed me and told me where to focus to reach my goals.In conclusion: Buy this book.
Amazon Verified review
About the author
Joshua Alan Teter
Joshua Alan Teter
Joshua began his journey in Project Management as a Technical Lead at Hewlett Packard in 2012 by learning the basics of managing a project and working with stakeholders.
In July of 2013, he made the career switch to pursue Technical Program Management at Amazon. During that time, He advanced in his career twice from TPM to Sr. TPM in 2017, and then to Principal TPM in 2022.
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