How to Transition from Engineering to Technical Program Management: A Step-by-Step Guide

Q: What experience is required to become a TPM?

Transitioning from engineering to TPM requires building out non-technical skills like program execution, leadership, and communication. Engineers in more senior roles may have many opportunities to lead projects where they can develop these skills to make the transition to TPM.

Q: What is the difference between TPM and engineering manager?

Both roles collaborate closely, especially in programs involving engineering teams. The TPM focuses on program-level coordination, ensuring projects are well-planned and executed efficiently. The Engineering Manager, on the other hand, is responsible for the team's well-being, technical growth, and performance, including providing technical guidance and planning resource allocation.

Q: What is TPM and what is its role?

A Technical Program Manager (TPM) is a specialized program management role in the tech industry. TPMs focus on managing technical programs, driving business outcomes through deep technical expertise, and building a holistic program strategy. The role varies from company to company and even team to team.

Q: How do I train to be a TPM?

To become a good Technical Program Manager, build a strong technical foundation along with program management, leadership, and effective communication skills. Use these skills to drive business outcomes and create an impact.

Q: Why would someone want to transition from engineering to TPM?

Many engineers transition to TPM for leadership opportunities and to oversee larger projects. The role provides a strategic perspective and allows professionals to guide teams and take charge of significant initiatives.

Q: How can someone assess if a career in TPM is the right fit for them?

Evaluate your motivations, interests, and career goals. Compare TPM to other roles like Engineering Manager or Software Engineer to understand the differences. Writing down your thoughts and conducting self-assessments can provide clarity.

Q: What are some common challenges faced by engineers transitioning into TPM roles, and how can they be overcome?

One challenge is shifting from a technical focus to a strategic perspective. Engineers can overcome this by building program management skills, working on leadership and communication, and collaborating with existing TPMs.

Q: Are there any specific training or certification programs recommended for aspiring TPMs?

Consider taking program management courses and gaining hands-on experience. Attending TPM networking events can also provide insights and support.

Priyanka Shinde
Jun 6, 2021
7 min read

Updated: Mar 21

I have received many requests from folks who want to transition to the TPM role from engineering roles. I often ask them about the motivation - what is it about the Engineering to TPM role transition that they like. Collaborating with people or ability to see the big picture are common reasons.

My own career started out as a software engineer and I distinctly remember the project where I ended up wearing multiple hats and loved it. I also saw very strong program managers who inspired my journey.

Transitioning from engineering to TPM is sometimes easier because you already have the technical background. In my past post I talked about building up the Technical “T” in TPM. An engineer already has that “T” and they should leverage that as they embark on the journey to TPM.

In this guide, we'll explore the strategic transition from a Technical Program Manager (TPM) to an Engineering Manager, providing actionable tips and insights.

We will explore how to :

Understand if the TPM role right for you?
Plan your journey
Find ways to build your program management skills
Hone your leadership and people skills
Find a mentor or two

Steps to transition from engineering to Technical Program Manager (TPM)

Here are 5 tips that will help you to know how to transition from engineer to manager and build out your TPM career path successfully.

Is the TPM role right for you?

Articulate "Why" you want to become a TPM? What aspects of the role do you enjoy? What aspects could be challenging? What could be some pitfalls that you haven’t thought about?

Answering these questions, even writing them down will make it real for you and provoke a deeper conversation with yourself.
Oftentimes, we see the “greener” side of something, but be mindful of superficial reasons. The TPM job is not often well understood by all, so keep in mind that you will always have to educate the people around you on the value you bring to the team.
Consider your tech career choices and evaluate against the TPM role, like TPM vs. engineering manager, TPM vs. software engineer to understand the differences and similarities.
The goal of doing this exercise is to understand your motivations and will also help during interviews.
Many individuals considering the transition from Engineering to TPM are drawn to the leadership aspect of the latter, often motivated by a passion for guiding teams and overseeing larger projects.

Plan your journey

Treat your technical program manager career goal like a project and build out a schedule with a breakdown of work and milestones to get there. This program is totally under your control and will give you an idea on how to plan and execute.

Decide your timeframe for making the official move
Understand and lay out the steps you need to get there.
Share your goals with friends and coworkers or even your manager. This will make the commitment real for you. Additionally, someone in your circle might know someone else who can help you or may even have the right role for you. So let the universe know :)

Find ways to build your program management skills

Look for opportunities in your current role to take on bigger programs. IIf you are a technical lead, you may already be doing some of the collaboration, estimation, scheduling work with your team, which can help develop your TPM skills. Expand on your responsibilities. These projects can be within your domain so you can leverage your technical expertise.

Reach out to any existing Technical Program Manager (TPM) and ask them if you can help in any area. They will be glad to have more support.
Talk to your manager about dedicating some percent of your time to build the muscle for program management.
Take program management courses to understand the fundamentals and how to apply them in real world scenarios.
As you plan your journey, outline specific steps for transition from Engineering to TPM. Define your timeframe and milestones for making this official move, treating your career goal as a strategic project.

Hone your leadership and people skills

I have mentioned previously that soft skills are often the most important for being a successful TPM. Introspect and identify any areas that you would like to address and then work towards those.

Strengthen up your presenting and public speaking skills.
Refine and build your communication style
Learn by observing other successful people

Find a mentor or two

The best thing is to find someone who can help you and give you practical tips in the context of your team/company or someone well-established in the TPM function, especially if you're making the transition from Engineering to TPM. People are often more than willing to help.

Having more than one mentor will give you different perspectives and give you more than one tool to handle tricky situations.
Attend TPM networking events - TPMs like to meet and connect with each other to discuss ideas and share tips. This can be the start of building your community.

It has been over a decade since I started my career as a TPM and I hope the learnings from my experience help you become a successful and thriving TPM.

Here's another great article on how to develop the roadmap to TPM.

Interviewing for TPM role soon? Check out the Cracking the TPM Interview Course.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is TPM an engineering role?

TPM is a technical role and often falls within engineering organizations. While the TPM salary can be lower than an engineer's salary, it is still a technical role and often considered under technical job profiles, leveling and compensation bands. Entry level TPM roles are not common which is great for an experienced engineer as they do not have to start at the bottom.

What experience is required to become a TPM?

Transitioning from engineering to TPM requires on to build out the non-technical skills like program execution, leadership and communication. Engineers in more senior roles may have lots of opportunities to lead projects where they can build out these skills which can be utilized to make the transition to TPM. Is TPM an engineering role? How do I train to be a TPM? Is TPM a good career choice? What is the difference between TPM and engineering manager? What is TPM and what is its role?

Is a career in Technical Program Management (TPM) a good choice?

A career in Technical Program Management (TPM) can be a great choice if you have a passion for technology, program management, and leadership. Consider your interest in coordinating complex projects, working with diverse teams, and solving technical challenges. Assess your skills in technical expertise, program management, leadership, and communication. Evaluate your problem-solving abilities, decision-making skills, and how well you perform under pressure. Research the current job market trends for TPM roles, opportunities for career growth, and how the role aligns with your work-life balance and long-term career goals. Making an informed decision based on these factors can help determine if TPM is the right fit for you.

What is the difference between TPM and engineering manager?

Both roles often collaborate closely, especially in programs where engineering teams are involved. The TPM and Engineering Manager might work together to ensure projects are well-planned, aligned with the team's capabilities, and executed efficiently. The TPM focuses on program-level coordination, while the Engineering Manager concentrates on the team's well-being, technical growth, and performance. EMs also provide technical guidance and plan resource allocation for programs.

In summary, a TPM is more program-oriented, managing technical programs, whereas an Engineering Manager is focused on leading and developing engineering teams to deliver high-quality products and solutions.

What is TPM and what is its role?

A Technical Program Manager (TPM) is a special type of program management role often found in the tech field. The primary focus is on managing technical programs. TPMs drive business outcomes by utilizing deep technical expertise and building a holistic program strategy. The definition of TPM largely varies from company to company or even team to team.

How do I train to be a TPM?

Build out the core skills to become a good technical program manager. Besides a strong technical foundation, build out program management skills, leadership skills and effective communication skills. Use these skills together to drive business outcomes and make impact.

Why would someone want to transition from engineering to TPM?

Making the move from engineering to TPM is often fueled by a desire for leadership and overseeing larger projects. The role allows you to guide teams and take charge of significant initiatives, providing a more holistic view of the project landscape. Many find fulfillment in the strategic aspects and enjoy the challenge of navigating both technical and managerial realms.

How can someone assess if a career in TPM is the right fit for them?

It's crucial to articulate your motivations. Ask yourself why you want to become a TPM, what aspects you enjoy, and what challenges you foresee. Writing down your thoughts can make things clearer. Also, be wary of superficial reasons, as the TPM role isn't always well-understood. Evaluate your career choices, comparing TPM against roles like engineering manager or software engineer, to grasp the differences and similarities.

What are some common challenges faced by engineers transitioning into TPM roles, and how can they be overcome?

One common challenge is the shift from a technical focus to a more holistic, strategic perspective. Overcoming this involves building program management skills by taking on larger programs, collaborating with existing TPMs, and dedicating time to develop these skills. Additionally, soft skills are crucial. Working on leadership, communication, and people skills will help bridge the gap.

Are there any specific training or certification programs recommended for aspiring TPMs?

Certainly! Consider taking program management courses to understand fundamentals and their real-world applications. This, combined with hands-on experience, will provide a well-rounded skill set. Also, attending TPM networking events can offer valuable insights and build a supportive community.

Can you provide examples of typical day-to-day tasks and responsibilities of a TPM?

A TPM's daily tasks often involve collaboration, estimation, scheduling, and overseeing projects. They act as a bridge between technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring everyone is on the same page. This role requires a mix of technical expertise and excellent communication to keep projects moving smoothly.

How important is networking and building relationships in transitioning to a TPM role?

Networking is key! Connecting with existing TPMs, finding mentors, and attending TPM events helps build a community. This not only provides guidance but also opens doors to opportunities. People in the field are often willing to share insights and practical tips, making the transition smoother.