Are you curious how technical program managers drive product success behind the scenes? In this podcast hosted by Justin Leibow, Google Senior Technical Program Manager Zaheer Mohammed will be speaking on the critical role of consistency and cross-functional collaboration in product development. He shares insights from his decade-long experience at tech giants like Google and Amazon, revealing how technical program managers bridge the gap between vision and execution.
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Show Notes
- Technical Program Managers (TPMs) focus on “how” while Product Managers focus on “why” and “what”
- Cross-functional collaboration is critical to successful product development
- Communicate the “why” behind product changes to maintain team motivation
- Reusable components accelerate product development and create consistency
- Pilot projects are an effective way to introduce new development approaches
- AI is transforming product management, but shouldn’t be applied indiscriminately
- Continuous learning is essential in technology-driven roles
- Understand stakeholder perspectives to build strong partnerships
- Data-backed justifications are crucial when saying “no” to product proposals
- Establish clear standards and guidelines before product development begins
- Implement checkpoints and reviews to ensure product consistency
- Measure success through user experience metrics and brand perception
- Embrace a “fail fast, learn fast” approach to innovation
- Technical Program Managers help translate product vision into executable plans
- Identify and manage cross-functional dependencies early
- Create communication templates for different stakeholder groups
- Invest time in understanding emerging technological trends
- Build trust by prioritizing organizational success over individual interests
- Be open to trying new roles and stepping out of your comfort zone
- Compare your progress against your past self, not others
About the speaker
Zaheer is a Senior Technical Program Manager at Google with over 15 years of experience delivering high-impact user features across various domainsHis experience also includes working at Amazon on Alexa AI and Natural Language Understanding (NLU). As a TPM, Zaheer plays a crucial role in driving alignment, managing complexity, and ensuring seamless execution across teams, enabling organizations to build and scale great products efficiently. His expertise in cross-functional leadership and execution strategy helps transform ideas into impactful user experiences.
About the host
Certified Digital Product Manager (CDPM), Certified Project Manager Professional (PMP) and ScrumMaster (CSP) Specialties: Product Development, Product Management, Insurance, Banking, Financial Transformation, Process Improvement, Business Risk