Reality Check

Reality check

Most programs won't be as simple as the materials presented in these lessons. Common issues that plague programs include:

• Less-than-rigorous initial scoping

• Uncertain stakeholder interest

• Lack of executive support

• Low levels of trust

• Ineffective road mapping

• No thorough dependency mapping

However, you have no reason to be alarmed if you see any of these issues. That's why the technical program manager role exists. We deal with ambiguity, complexity, and messiness on a large scale.

In practice, there are typically only two ways TPgMs get involved with programs:

• Starting from scratch

• Jumping onto a moving train

Starting from scratch

Driving a program from its inception to closure is the best-case scenario.

This is the ideal opportunity for you to set program expectations through its intended lifecycle. This is a really good sign of partnership with organizational leadership. It shows that the company's leaders recognize the value of your role.

This course will help you set up a framework and lead the program team through successful program execution.

Jumping onto a moving train

A technical program manager is often brought into a program after it has started. Most of the time, this is because:

• The program has unexpectedly grown in complexity and size. Therefore, the skills of a technical program manager are needed.

• The program isn't making enough progress, putting the business at risk in some significant way.

• The program warranted a technical program manager for a while, but there wasn't one available.

Some trains are bullet trains. Others are slow crawlers with broken wheels and tracks. It's up to you to figure out which one your program is and turn it into a well-oiled machine.

This course will give you a framework to get the program back on track. Rather than chasing the latest fire, you can systematically focus on introducing the best practices laid out in this course.

Recap

Program management isn't always as cut and dry as this course may portray.

Your ability to turn chaos into order is your superpower.

Don't be worried if a program or initiative isn't cleanly put together or well organized. That's why you're there! Use the best practices laid out in this course to lead your program to success.