In a galaxy far far away…in an alternate Star Wars universe…
A small group of rebel fighters struggles to build revolutionary products to fight the Empire. They need help and start a meticulous search for the perfect product building droid.
First, they come across C-3PO, a certified protocol droid. Unfortunately C-3PO is not the droid they are looking for.
While C-3PO knows “over six million forms of communication” and likely has a few other certifications, his main role is to translate R2-D2’s beeps and state the obvious. With his translation skills, he can help meetings run smoothly but comes short when it’s time to drive a vision and deliver on it.
Disappointed, the rebels go back to their search. They finally come across T-3PO, a new generation of droids. These T-3PO’s are unique in that they are driven product builders who get into their users’ minds, think strategically and love to deliver great products all while working with others.
This turn of events results in a ripple effect in the Force, enabling rebel fighters to build the greatest starfighters the galaxy has ever witnessed and win back their home planets.
In a galaxy closer to home, tech companies also aim to build revolutionary products. Lots of players are involved.
A key player is the TPM, also known as Technical Program Manager, or TPM.
Similar to my Star Wars story above, finding the right TPM can be challenging. Much of this is because this role is often misunderstood with a title that does not do it justice. This antiquated title has not evolved with time and today’s TPM recruiting pool is a hodge-podge of many different types of droids, much of them not fitting the bill quite right.
There are too many C-3PO’s. Not enough T-3PO’s.
In one camp, you have the process droids who will hold on to process come hell or high water.
In another camp, you have the strategic minds who shy away from tactical items such as delivery or feature definition.
Finally, in another camp you have engineers who lead with their technical abilities.
None of these approaches alone is the best option, you need a person with a unique blend of product, process, strategic, tactical, and engineering experience. This is not a new role but a role that is often mislabeled. Some companies refer to it as Program Manager, Product Owner, or Technical Producer. Others call it Technical Product Manager or Technical Program Manager.
It is time for a new title (drum rolls please): T-3PO or Technical Product Program Project Owner.
This new title would bring clarity, balance to the force and celebrate the long awaited release of the new Star Wars.
T-3PO’s, rise together.
Unlike the C-3PO, who has managed to make it on the shortlist of useless robots, T3PO’s are critical.
They are driven, own a feature or a product and can be both strategic and tactical.
They get into their users’ minds, can visualize a product and lead it from inception to birth. Take that C-3PO.
They do not start their resume with the fact that they know over “6 million languages,” have a PMP, MBA, CSM or other certifications but let their accomplishments, passion and opinion do the talking.
The ultimate T-3PO’s resonate with the following:
- Technical. They love and understand technology. They can have deep technical design discussions and cover the pro’s and con’s of using a certain architecture. They can even code if they have to but understand there are professionals who’re there for that.
- Product. They lead with product vision and definition. They have an opinion and care about the product to their core. Each new feature that is released is like a gift. They give a f* and will challenge their team to ensure they deliver the best given the right tradeoffs.
- Program. They’re not tourists who shift gear totally after each project. They care about their product and group all the projects related to that product under programs they lead.
- Project. Their projects deliver clear customer value and need some level of management to be successful, to keep the ball rolling. They manage projects in their sleep, it’s second nature. It’s all about communication and accountability.
- Owner. That’s right, they own it and lead the charge. If there is a question about their product or feature, they’re the go-to person. Is this user story higher priority than another? They’ve got the answer.
Can organizations and rebel fighters survive without them? Yes, but they can definitely prosper with them. The right T-3PO’s can breathe life into a product and create the necessary momentum to take that product to a new level, staying well ahead of the game.
The good news is T-3PO’s already exist. There are too few of them, but they exist.
They are often hidden away in secret locations either locked away with golden handcuffs or lost in a sea of confusion that surrounds the definition of their role.
Do not give up hope in your search.
Finding them won’t be easy. At my company, we recently opened 2 T-3PO roles. In two weeks, we reviewed over 100 applications and 300 LinkedIn profiles. We heard from certified people, consultants, managers, strategic folks, and too few T-3PO’s.
It resulted in lots of noise despite a clear description of expectations.
Much of the noise we’ve received can be attributed to the lack of a standard role definition in the industry which confuses applicants. Thankfully the Force is strong with us and will deliver the right candidate.
Finally, if T-3PO’s are the new TPM’s, are R2D2’s, the new software engineers?
Radical Designers & Developers x 2, because we expect all developers to be radical designers two-fold…but more on that later.
During the day, Sebastien Fouillade is the Head of Product at Point Inside building awesome products with his fellow rebel fighters; at night, Sebastien improves his Jedi skills by practicing and teaching yoga.
