Re: Anyone know of tech writers that became program/product manag ers?

Subject: Re: Anyone know of tech writers that became program/product manag ers?
From: Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Mon, 18 Jul 2005 17:54:23 -0700


On Mon, 2005-07-18 at 17:46 -0700, Amanda A wrote:

> How is a program manager different than a project manager?

Job titles can be very fluid. However, a project manager generally has
responsibility for a very specific piece of work, such as seeing that a
particular version of a software program is ready in time. By contrast,
a program or product manager is typically responsible for the entire
life cycle, not just a single iteration. Within the iteration, a program
or product manager may set the specific features, while the project
manager oversees the realization of those features.

> What value does a technical writer add as a program manager?

Writers who understand the technology and have also assisted with
marketing material may already have something of the dual view point
that a good program manager needs. They can be used to explaining the
technical details to the programmers while understanding the needs of
the market.

> How do I get around the "no official project manager experience" and make
> the leap to Program Manager without a detailed understanding of the project?

The same as you can any time you try for a career change: By showing
that your existing experience applies to the position you want (see my
answer to your second question).

--
Bruce Byfield 604-421-7177
http://members.axion.net/~bbyfield

"Inspiration and craft plus time and effort minus fear and doubt
multiplied by purpose equals song."
- Ray Wylie Hubbard.


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Follow-Ups:

References:
RE: Anyone know of tech writers that became program/product manag ers?: From: mlist
Re: Anyone know of tech writers that became program/product manag ers?: From: Amanda A

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