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."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fractional TPMing

02:46 The Rise of Fractional Executives

04:56 Understanding the Role of Fractional TPMs

07:06 Comparing Fractional TPMs to Other Roles

09:34 Fractional TPMs in Startups vs. Large Companies

11:28 Use Cases for Fractional TPMs

13:26 The Tactical vs. Strategic Role of TPMs

16:09 Building Trust as a Fractional TPM

18:10 Challenges of Timeboxing and Expectations

21:59 Intellectual Property and Confidentiality Concerns

24:27 Financial Viability of Fractional TPMing

26:50 Future of Fractional TPMing

30:37 Consulting and Mentoring as a Fractional TPM

31:41 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."

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Keywords: Technical Program Management, AI, Prompt Engineering, TPM Origin Stories, Industry Insights, Software Development, AI Limitations, Career Development, Engineering Management, Technology Trends

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TPM Craft: https://the-tpm-craft.beehiiv.com

TPM University: https://tpmuniversity.com

Technical Program Manager's Handbook: https://a.co/d/9A6pgrJ

Email us at podcast@tpmevents.org