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I started my career as a Designer before transitioning into Project Management, and I’ve now been in this field for over 15 years in which 10 of them I worked as a Program Manager. It’s amazing to reflect on how much the landscape has evolved and matured, with new roles and responsibilities along the way.
When I moved to the United States and was building my career in this new country, I spent a lot of time searching for jobs, interviewing, and reading job descriptions, of course. Two things really surprised me during that process.
First, although I had been doing Project Management for quite some time and understood what a Product Manager was, I had never encountered the term “Program Management.”
When I came across it in job descriptions, I thought, “Wait a minute, I’ve been doing this for years — I just didn’t call it program management.” It was eye-opening to realize that the terminology was new to me, but the work itself wasn’t.
The second discovery that caught me off guard was noticing that some companies were hiring for “Product Manager” roles, but after interviews with them, it seemed like they were actually looking for a Program Manager.
It was surreal — almost as if companies were hiring for one title but expecting the responsibilities of another. This raised an important question for me: Are companies clear on what they want? Or is there confusion about these roles?
Product Management vs. Program Management vs. Project Management: Key Differences
With that in mind, I wanted to write about this experience since I think it’s essential to clarify the differences between Product, Program, and Project Management. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Product Management
A product is anything that can be offered in the market to solve a problem or satisfy a need. The Product Manager focuses on the “why”, defines the value proposition, determines how the product differentiates itself in the market, and ensures it meets customer needs while aligning with business goals.
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Program Management
Programs consist of multiple interconnected projects that contribute to long-term business objectives. A Program Manager leads the overall program strategy, sets objectives, and evaluates its business impact, ensuring alignment across projects.
Project Management
A project is temporary in that it has a defined beginning and end, and therefore a defined scope and resources. Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements.
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Tips to Apply for the Right Role in Product, Program, and Project Management
In today‘s dynamic job market, a lot of us are seeking new opportunities. To help you navigate this, I’d like to offer guidance to help you make sure you’re applying for the right role and that you understand the distinctions between Product, Program, and Project Management roles.
It’s important to recognize what’s expected from each role so you can better align your skills with the expectations of the position. Look for:
Product Management Roles
- Do they ask you for an example of a successful product launch you've led?
- Are they curious about how you create a product vision and strategy?
- Do they ask how you handle product-market fit or customer feedback to improve the product?
- Are they looking for insights on how you prioritize product features and balance user needs with business goals?
Program Management Roles
- Do they focus on your experience working with multiple teams managing different projects concurrently?
- Are they asking how you ensure cross-functional teams are aligned with overall program goals?
- Are they interested in your approach to balancing competing priorities and managing risks across the program?
- Do they ask how you ensure the program meets long-term business objectives?
Project Management Roles
- Are they asking if you can deliver projects on time and within scope?
- Do they ask about how you manage project budgets and resources effectively?
- Are they concerned with how you communicate progress and manage stakeholder expectations?
- Are they asking for examples of how you've handled changes in project scope or unforeseen challenges?
Product Management vs. Program Management vs. Project Management Roles
If they ask about risk management:
Program Management
- Are they asking about how you manage risks across multiple projects?
- Are they asking questions about alignment with the program’s overall strategy?
Project Management
- Are they asking how you identify and mitigate risks within a specific project?
- Are they focused on schedule and budget requirements?
Product Management
- Are they asking how you assess customer-related risks when defining the product roadmap, such as feature prioritization or competitive threats?
If they ask about communication:
Program Management
- Are they interested in how you communicate across various projects and teams to keep stakeholders aligned and informed at the program level?
Project Management
- Do they expect you to provide project-specific updates, manage team communication, and ensure everyone is on the same page about milestones and deadlines?
Product Management
- Are they asking about your ability to communicate the product vision and strategy to different departments to ensure successful development and launch?
This article is meant to guide your conversations with potential employers. It won’t provide definitive answers. Use this information to spark meaningful discussions that can deepen your understanding of the company’s expectations.
It's important to keep in mind that different industries and companies often use varied terminologies and role descriptions.
A PM role is more than its title.
As I reflect on this, I’d like to recognize that some companies may understand the distinctions between these roles but choose not to label them correctly.
For instance, a Product Owner might take on the responsibilities of a Product Manager, while in other cases, a Program Manager can handle project management tasks. Other organizations would treat the Product Manager role as equivalent to a Project Manager.
The goal here isn’t to discourage you or make you the “PM police” during interviews. Rather, it’s about empowering you to make informed decisions about your career, enabling you to ask the right questions and secure a fulfilling work experience.
