TPM Ridge

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 nece...

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 embra...

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 ...

Summary

In 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 vulnera...

Colin Breyer, former Amazon executive and co-author of 'Working Backwards,' discusses the principles and processes that have made Amazon successful. He highlights the importance of customer obsession, long-term thinking, innovation, and operational excellence. Breyer explains the concept of single-threaded ownership and the need for leaders to say 'no' to unimportant tasks. He also discusses the annual planning proc...

Paul Currivan, a highly experienced individual in technical product and program management, discusses the skills and tools necessary for scaling as a TPM. He emphasizes the importance of foundational skills such as project management and systems thinking, as well as the ability to adapt to organizational changes. Paul shares his favorite tools for large-scale projects, including Jira, Miro, and Microsoft Project. He also highlights...