SWE to Program Manager
How difficult is it to switch from SWE to Program Manager ? What does a Program Manager do on day to day basis ?
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2xy1 Feb 8, 2020Careful, if you’re at Microsoft, being a Program manager means being a product manager. Anywhere else being a program manager means being a project manager. Completely different skill sets.
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mnopa36 Feb 8, 2020I don't see how PM and PgM are completely different
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2xy1 Feb 8, 2020At Microsoft they aren’t. Elsewhere the difference lies between developing product strategy versus operational project management of the (product) strategy someone else has developed
Thanks for the reply. How does one prepare for the PM role interview? Do you need to have have previous experiences in skills requires for PM?
Easy. Mostly schedule planning and tracking, facilitation, status communication. Takes time to get good at it, but it’s a useful skill to have.
Useful for which career path / opportunities? (Not taking a dig, thinking of making a similar transition hence I ask)
It’s one useful skill to have as a general manager/ COO. Being able to find problems, prioritize, get buy in and resources and execute to completion.