#12 Aligned with Bruce McCarthy & Melissa Appel

SummaryIn this episode, the panel discusses the evolving landscape of interviews for Technical Program Managers (TPMs), particularly in light of recent changes due to COVID-19 and the rise of AI. They explore the importance of storytelling in interviews, the use of AI for preparation, and the significance of maintaining an achievement log. The conversation also touches on the differences in interview expectations between large and small companies, the balance of technical depth versus breadth, and strategies for demonstrating stakeholder management skills. The panel concludes with advice for candidates on how to navigate the interview process effectively.KeywordsKeywordsTPM, interview process, AI in interviews, stakeholder management, technical program manager, COVID impact, achievement log, hybrid work, interview preparation, career adviceChapters00:00 Navigating the Evolving Job Market01:36 The Anatomy of TPM Interviews04:33 The Impact of AI and COVID on Interviews12:24 Crafting Your Story for Interviews18:06 Leveraging AI in Daily TPM Tasks21:58 Interviewing in a Hybrid Work Environment25:27 Expectations in Different Company Sizes26:55 Interview Structures: Big vs. Small Companies31:32 Technical Program Manager Expectations37:41 Demonstrating Leadership and Stakeholder Management43:18 Improving Interview Performance: Dos and Don'ts47:16 Resilience in the Interview Process

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

In this episode, the panel discusses the evolving landscape of Technical Program Managers (TPMs) in 2025, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the current job market. They explore the impact of AI on TPM roles, the importance of differentiation in skills, and strategies for navigating a lack of support in one's role. The conversation emphasizes the need for TPMs to invest in their program management skills and embrace cross-functional roles to enhance their career prospects.

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 [email protected]

We talk about Tuckman's Model and the TPM Journey at GitHub, with Dylan Thomas of GitHub, live from the 2024 TPM Summit in Mountain View

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 talks to us about AI Prompts for TPMs, live from the 2024 TPM Summit in Mountain View California.

We are live at the 2024 TPM Summit in Mountain View California, with Aman Bawa and Stefan Crespo, recapping the summit thus far.

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