Search icon CANCEL
Subscription
0
Cart icon
Your Cart (0 item)
Close icon
You have no products in your basket yet
Arrow left icon
Explore Products
Best Sellers
New Releases
Books
Videos
Audiobooks
Learning Hub
Conferences
Free Learning
Arrow right icon
Technical Program Manager's Handbook
Technical Program Manager's Handbook

Technical Program Manager's Handbook: Unlock your TPM potential by leading technical projects successfully and elevating your career path , Second Edition

Arrow left icon
Profile Icon Joshua Alan Teter
Arrow right icon
Mex$861.99
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5 (3 Ratings)
Paperback Sep 2024 368 pages 2nd Edition
eBook
Mex$482.98 Mex$689.99
Paperback
Mex$861.99
Subscription
Free Trial
Arrow left icon
Profile Icon Joshua Alan Teter
Arrow right icon
Mex$861.99
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5 (3 Ratings)
Paperback Sep 2024 368 pages 2nd Edition
eBook
Mex$482.98 Mex$689.99
Paperback
Mex$861.99
Subscription
Free Trial
eBook
Mex$482.98 Mex$689.99
Paperback
Mex$861.99
Subscription
Free Trial

What do you get with Print?

Product feature icon Instant access to your digital eBook copy whilst your Print order is Shipped
Product feature icon Paperback book shipped to your preferred address
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
Product feature icon AI Assistant (beta) to help accelerate your learning
OR
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Shipping Address

Billing Address

Shipping Methods
Table of content icon View table of contents Preview book icon Preview Book

Technical Program Manager's Handbook

Fundamentals of a Technical Program Manager

The program manager role has been around for as long as humans have organized to accomplish a goal together as a group. Although the name may not be as old, there were certainly program managers or project managers while building the ancient Egyptian pyramids. A program manager is a generalist in nature and can tackle any project with some proficiency, often running multiple projects concurrently within the same program or across many programs. The Technical Program Manager (TPM) role followed in the program manager’s footsteps to fill a specialized niche with the rise of highly specialized projects and programs. The TPM plays a powerful role in any technical project or program and has carved its way into the tech industry culture as a mainstay position, right alongside software and hardware developers, development managers, and product managers. Even with its ubiquitous role in the industry, the question of what a TPM is and how...

Understanding the modern TPM

In the 1967 book The Technical Program Manager’s Guide to Survival, by Melvin Silverman, the author defines a program as an organization created to accomplish a specific goal. This organization was a group within a company that existed for the sole purpose of achieving the program goals, and it was to be dissolved once the goal was realized. You can see where the computer definition of a program gets its origins – a bit of organized code that executes to accomplish a task or goal! Once the task is complete, the computer program will terminate. Computer programs have evolved in complexity since their early days, as has the TPM, but the origins have a clear connection in meaning and purpose.

I found Mr. Silverman’s book while attempting to uncover the origins of the TPM role. What transpired during this research is that the usage of TPM had a similar evolution to the word program. The term went from a generic use to a more specific...

Learning the fundamentals

Throughout this book, we’ll discuss many concepts that are core to any program manager, as well as some that are more specific to the TPM specialization. Let’s briefly discuss some of these terms so that we have a shared foundation to build upon.

The first terms to discuss are project and program. There are some companies where the “P” in TPM actually refers to “Project” instead of “Program,” and this can lead to some confusion. We’ll cover it in greater detail in Chapter 2, Pillars of a Technical Program Manager, but suffice to say that a program comprises multiple related projects. A project manager may run more than one project at a time, but they may not have a common goal. A program manager runs multiple projects that share a common goal and possibly multiple programs too. With that, let’s tackle some of the key management areas that are common between project and program managers...

Exploring what makes a TPM thrive

This topic comes up in every interview I’ve conducted for the TPM position. I’ve put some thought into everything that a TPM does. The points that I’m going to discuss are not qualities specific to a company, team, or variation on the TPM role, but they are transferable from one position to the next.

Keeping forward momentum

For a TPM to thrive, their focus needs to be on moving the project forward and unblocking their team to get things done. This may sound like a cliché, as though you are reading it from a job description, but it is resoundingly true. Our innate drive to solve roadblocks, build a plan, mitigate risk, and drive toward deadlines are key to a project’s success. It is important to keep momentum on a project because, without it, we risk losing progress and need to start over. Context switching is often to blame here because, during the time a project is blocked, the individuals working on it may...

Comparing adjacent job families

I love Venn diagrams because they show similarities and differences in a very concise and easy-to-follow way. Needless to say, you’ll see a few in this book.

A common question in my profession as a TPM is, what is the value of a TPM? The question is understandable because there is a lot of overlap between our jobs and the jobs of the roles most often adjacent to us in a software or hardware team.

We’ll start by exploring Figure 1.5, which shows the intersection of the roles most similar to the TPM: the Program Manager (PM), and the Product Manager – Technical (PM-T). Just as the TPM is a program manager who specializes in technology, the PM-T is a product manager who specializes in technology. The term PM-T may not be used at every company (just as TPM isn’t used everywhere), but the particulars of the job as they relate to our discussion are the same:

Figure 1.5: A Venn diagram comparing the TPM, PM, and...

Exploring functional competencies across the industry

I’ve worked for most of my life as a TPM at the same company—as such, I was concerned about an unconscious bias of what a TPM is or should be. To combat this, I sought outside perspectives from as many high-profile companies as I could—Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple. I interviewed TPMs from these organizations and combed through the job boards of these companies to see what each was looking for in a TPM.

I consolidated the interviews and job descriptions into a matrix in Table 1.1 that we’ll dive a bit deeper into. If something pops out to me as different in a particular interview or job post, I’ll call out what it is and why it’s interesting. Since the industry hasn’t settled on a normalized level guideline, I created a three-tier leveling for the sake of brevity. The table covers positions that accept university graduates, which not every company supports. The industry...

Summary

In this chapter, we discussed the fundamentals of being a TPM. We started by explaining where the TPM overlaps with the generalized PM and program management and touched on the bare fundamentals for the technical aspect of our specialization.

Then, we examined the TPM role specifically to see what makes us thrive and found that drive, clarity, and being a communication bridge set us apart from our colleagues. Then, we expanded our view to look more closely into how our specialties overlap with the job families around us and across the industry.

We’ll continue to build on these fundamentals as the book progresses and, as we dive deeper into these topics to get a solid understanding of our role, how to be the most successful at the job, and how to progress your career the way that fits your skills and desires best.

Next, in Chapter 2, we’ll discuss the building blocks, or pillars, of the TPM role. We’ll build on the fundamentals we tackled in...

Left arrow icon Right arrow icon
Download code icon Download Code

Key benefits

  • 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
Estimated delivery fee Deliver to Mexico

Standard delivery 10 - 13 business days

Mex$149.95

Premium delivery 3 - 6 business days

Mex$299.95
(Includes tracking information)

Product Details

Country selected
Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Sep 30, 2024
Length: 368 pages
Edition : 2nd
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781836200475
Category :

What do you get with Print?

Product feature icon Instant access to your digital eBook copy whilst your Print order is Shipped
Product feature icon Paperback book shipped to your preferred address
Product feature icon Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats
Product feature icon Access this title in our online reader with advanced features
Product feature icon DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want
Product feature icon AI Assistant (beta) to help accelerate your learning
OR
Modal Close icon
Payment Processing...
tick Completed

Shipping Address

Billing Address

Shipping Methods
Estimated delivery fee Deliver to Mexico

Standard delivery 10 - 13 business days

Mex$149.95

Premium delivery 3 - 6 business days

Mex$299.95
(Includes tracking information)

Product Details

Publication date : Sep 30, 2024
Length: 368 pages
Edition : 2nd
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781836200475
Category :

Packt Subscriptions

See our plans and pricing
Modal Close icon
$19.99 billed monthly
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Simple pricing, no contract
$199.99 billed annually
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just Mex$85 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts
$279.99 billed in 18 months
Feature tick icon Unlimited access to Packt's library of 7,000+ practical books and videos
Feature tick icon Constantly refreshed with 50+ new titles a month
Feature tick icon Exclusive Early access to books as they're written
Feature tick icon Solve problems while you work with advanced search and reference features
Feature tick icon Offline reading on the mobile app
Feature tick icon Choose a DRM-free eBook or Video every month to keep
Feature tick icon PLUS own as many other DRM-free eBooks or Videos as you like for just Mex$85 each
Feature tick icon Exclusive print discounts

Frequently bought together


Stars icon
Total Mex$ 2,913.97
Resilient Cybersecurity
Mex$1025.99
Technical Program Manager's Handbook
Mex$861.99
Decoding Large Language Models
Mex$1025.99
Total Mex$ 2,913.97 Stars icon

Table of Contents

20 Chapters
Section 1: What Is a Technical Program Manager? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Fundamentals of a Technical Program Manager Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Pillars of a Technical Program Manager Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Career Paths Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Section 2: Fundamentals of Program Management Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
An Introduction to Program Management Using a Case Study Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Driving Toward Clarity Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Plan Management Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Risk Management Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Stakeholder Management Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Managing a Program Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Emotional Intelligence in Technical Program Management Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Section 3: Technical Toolset Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
The Technical Toolset Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Code Development Expectations Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
System Design and Architecture Landscape Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence in Technical Program Management Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Enhancing Management Using Your Technical Toolset Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Other Books You May Enjoy Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
(3 Ratings)
5 star 100%
4 star 0%
3 star 0%
2 star 0%
1 star 0%
L. Oct 11, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 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 Amazon
Matt M Nov 01, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
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 Amazon
ChippyMom Oct 15, 2024
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 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 Amazon
Get free access to Packt library with over 7500+ books and video courses for 7 days!
Start Free Trial

FAQs

What is the delivery time and cost of print book? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Shipping Details

USA:

'

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the US within 10-15 business days

Premium: Trackable Delivery to most addresses in the US within 3-8 business days

UK:

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 7-9 business days.
Shipments are not trackable

Premium: Trackable delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 3-4 business days!
Add one extra business day for deliveries to Northern Ireland and Scottish Highlands and islands

EU:

Premium: Trackable delivery to most EU destinations within 4-9 business days.

Australia:

Economy: Can deliver to P. O. Boxes and private residences.
Trackable service with delivery to addresses in Australia only.
Delivery time ranges from 7-9 business days for VIC and 8-10 business days for Interstate metro
Delivery time is up to 15 business days for remote areas of WA, NT & QLD.

Premium: Delivery to addresses in Australia only
Trackable delivery to most P. O. Boxes and private residences in Australia within 4-5 days based on the distance to a destination following dispatch.

India:

Premium: Delivery to most Indian addresses within 5-6 business days

Rest of the World:

Premium: Countries in the American continent: Trackable delivery to most countries within 4-7 business days

Asia:

Premium: Delivery to most Asian addresses within 5-9 business days

Disclaimer:
All orders received before 5 PM U.K time would start printing from the next business day. So the estimated delivery times start from the next day as well. Orders received after 5 PM U.K time (in our internal systems) on a business day or anytime on the weekend will begin printing the second to next business day. For example, an order placed at 11 AM today will begin printing tomorrow, whereas an order placed at 9 PM tonight will begin printing the day after tomorrow.


Unfortunately, due to several restrictions, we are unable to ship to the following countries:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. American Samoa
  3. Belarus
  4. Brunei Darussalam
  5. Central African Republic
  6. The Democratic Republic of Congo
  7. Eritrea
  8. Guinea-bissau
  9. Iran
  10. Lebanon
  11. Libiya Arab Jamahriya
  12. Somalia
  13. Sudan
  14. Russian Federation
  15. Syrian Arab Republic
  16. Ukraine
  17. Venezuela
What is custom duty/charge? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customs duty are charges levied on goods when they cross international borders. It is a tax that is imposed on imported goods. These duties are charged by special authorities and bodies created by local governments and are meant to protect local industries, economies, and businesses.

Do I have to pay customs charges for the print book order? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

The orders shipped to the countries that are listed under EU27 will not bear custom charges. They are paid by Packt as part of the order.

List of EU27 countries: www.gov.uk/eu-eea:

A custom duty or localized taxes may be applicable on the shipment and would be charged by the recipient country outside of the EU27 which should be paid by the customer and these duties are not included in the shipping charges been charged on the order.

How do I know my custom duty charges? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

The amount of duty payable varies greatly depending on the imported goods, the country of origin and several other factors like the total invoice amount or dimensions like weight, and other such criteria applicable in your country.

For example:

  • If you live in Mexico, and the declared value of your ordered items is over $ 50, for you to receive a package, you will have to pay additional import tax of 19% which will be $ 9.50 to the courier service.
  • Whereas if you live in Turkey, and the declared value of your ordered items is over € 22, for you to receive a package, you will have to pay additional import tax of 18% which will be € 3.96 to the courier service.
How can I cancel my order? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Cancellation Policy for Published Printed Books:

You can cancel any order within 1 hour of placing the order. Simply contact customercare@packt.com with your order details or payment transaction id. If your order has already started the shipment process, we will do our best to stop it. However, if it is already on the way to you then when you receive it, you can contact us at customercare@packt.com using the returns and refund process.

Please understand that Packt Publishing cannot provide refunds or cancel any order except for the cases described in our Return Policy (i.e. Packt Publishing agrees to replace your printed book because it arrives damaged or material defect in book), Packt Publishing will not accept returns.

What is your returns and refunds policy? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Return Policy:

We want you to be happy with your purchase from Packtpub.com. We will not hassle you with returning print books to us. If the print book you receive from us is incorrect, damaged, doesn't work or is unacceptably late, please contact Customer Relations Team on customercare@packt.com with the order number and issue details as explained below:

  1. If you ordered (eBook, Video or Print Book) incorrectly or accidentally, please contact Customer Relations Team on customercare@packt.com within one hour of placing the order and we will replace/refund you the item cost.
  2. Sadly, if your eBook or Video file is faulty or a fault occurs during the eBook or Video being made available to you, i.e. during download then you should contact Customer Relations Team within 14 days of purchase on customercare@packt.com who will be able to resolve this issue for you.
  3. You will have a choice of replacement or refund of the problem items.(damaged, defective or incorrect)
  4. Once Customer Care Team confirms that you will be refunded, you should receive the refund within 10 to 12 working days.
  5. If you are only requesting a refund of one book from a multiple order, then we will refund you the appropriate single item.
  6. Where the items were shipped under a free shipping offer, there will be no shipping costs to refund.

On the off chance your printed book arrives damaged, with book material defect, contact our Customer Relation Team on customercare@packt.com within 14 days of receipt of the book with appropriate evidence of damage and we will work with you to secure a replacement copy, if necessary. Please note that each printed book you order from us is individually made by Packt's professional book-printing partner which is on a print-on-demand basis.

What tax is charged? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Currently, no tax is charged on the purchase of any print book (subject to change based on the laws and regulations). A localized VAT fee is charged only to our European and UK customers on eBooks, Video and subscriptions that they buy. GST is charged to Indian customers for eBooks and video purchases.

What payment methods can I use? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

You can pay with the following card types:

  1. Visa Debit
  2. Visa Credit
  3. MasterCard
  4. PayPal
What is the delivery time and cost of print books? Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Shipping Details

USA:

'

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the US within 10-15 business days

Premium: Trackable Delivery to most addresses in the US within 3-8 business days

UK:

Economy: Delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 7-9 business days.
Shipments are not trackable

Premium: Trackable delivery to most addresses in the U.K. within 3-4 business days!
Add one extra business day for deliveries to Northern Ireland and Scottish Highlands and islands

EU:

Premium: Trackable delivery to most EU destinations within 4-9 business days.

Australia:

Economy: Can deliver to P. O. Boxes and private residences.
Trackable service with delivery to addresses in Australia only.
Delivery time ranges from 7-9 business days for VIC and 8-10 business days for Interstate metro
Delivery time is up to 15 business days for remote areas of WA, NT & QLD.

Premium: Delivery to addresses in Australia only
Trackable delivery to most P. O. Boxes and private residences in Australia within 4-5 days based on the distance to a destination following dispatch.

India:

Premium: Delivery to most Indian addresses within 5-6 business days

Rest of the World:

Premium: Countries in the American continent: Trackable delivery to most countries within 4-7 business days

Asia:

Premium: Delivery to most Asian addresses within 5-9 business days

Disclaimer:
All orders received before 5 PM U.K time would start printing from the next business day. So the estimated delivery times start from the next day as well. Orders received after 5 PM U.K time (in our internal systems) on a business day or anytime on the weekend will begin printing the second to next business day. For example, an order placed at 11 AM today will begin printing tomorrow, whereas an order placed at 9 PM tonight will begin printing the day after tomorrow.


Unfortunately, due to several restrictions, we are unable to ship to the following countries:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. American Samoa
  3. Belarus
  4. Brunei Darussalam
  5. Central African Republic
  6. The Democratic Republic of Congo
  7. Eritrea
  8. Guinea-bissau
  9. Iran
  10. Lebanon
  11. Libiya Arab Jamahriya
  12. Somalia
  13. Sudan
  14. Russian Federation
  15. Syrian Arab Republic
  16. Ukraine
  17. Venezuela