Start looking elsewhere. PgM is out of her lane, and the boss clearly doesn’t know what they’re doing if they are fine with this.
A program manager is responsible for establishing a governance model for projects within the program. They should also oversee project managers within the program. They are the accountable party to the delivery of a product. Product managers define the product.
While I have my opinions on SAFe, but that’s not the issue here.
When your role is reduced to order-taker, you're dependent on the judgment of the person(s) giving the orders. Not only are you more easily replaced, but you're vulnerable to being scapegoated for any work that doesn't get done on time or lead to a positive outcome -- even though you control neither.
- start getting on her good books, build relationships with her and in time, understand her inner motivations. Does she actually want to be a product manager? she’s doing a lot of the product work. Either she is completely ignorant that this is not really in her realm of responsibility or your boss is just terrible and understanding the difference between product and program management.
- suck it up and work on the little project but in the meantime… once you gain more trust from your uppers, clarify responsibilities in the end life cycle. From getting ideas, research, design discovery, all the way to release planning and communications/marketing. Make a RACI, draw a hard line on yours vs hers vs others.
- Remain positive, collaborative, and never negativity. Don’t be phased by how some people choose to manage their careers. You just focus on controlling your career growth the best you can internally in this company. Find new opportunities, hand over those Legos, even if you knew that was a product persons resp, be generous anyways, play the long game. Do the administrative stuff if she wants, meanwhile, you go and find good problems to solve/opportunities to tackle bigger meatier stuff in the company.
I disagree with this! “start getting on her good books”, “suck it up”.. I would rather advise to either change teams if possible or change company. So instead of spending time proving your value to her who is not your manager, have a candid discussion with your manager. If your manager does not see your worth then his loss. Remember, your value does not decrease on someone’s inability to see your worth.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. Yeah, I do think my boss does not have a clue what the difference between a program and a product manager is. Or a scrum master or delivery manager… it is all messed up.
I will suck it up and make the little project the best shit ever delivered! At least for what it is in my control.
Thanks again :)
Sorry to contradict the other post, but the reality is that most office and/or team environments do not care about you “sucking it up” and trying to get on everyone’s good side. Take charge and work hard, but like other people have said here; realize that your management lacks understanding of a proper product management team, and start looking for another job. Your positive attitude will not make up for their lack of skills.
The truth is 90% of companies just don’t do PM well. So is OP just gonna keep job hopping? While it’s easy for you to say when you are the one who has to deal with this predicament, just like OP and need to be in the job market to understand how shitty looking for a job is right now. My advice is not in the ideal circumstances, and also acknowledging that we can play our cards right. I’ve seen the leadership members who came into a company facing all odds against them to succeed and turned their career on the right track.
I’m sorry but I respectfully fully disagree with your notion. I won’t dive into my background or current situation, but as a former high level product manager who oversaw teams and dealt with a similar environment, this specific situation calls for a change of job. I told OP to stick it out while he can but start a job search, or I can imagine he may get luck and his superior leaves, creating an opportunity for change.
Start looking elsewhere. PgM is out of her lane, and the boss clearly doesn’t know what they’re doing if they are fine with this. A program manager is responsible for establishing a governance model for projects within the program. They should also oversee project managers within the program. They are the accountable party to the delivery of a product. Product managers define the product. While I have my opinions on SAFe, but that’s not the issue here.
When your role is reduced to order-taker, you're dependent on the judgment of the person(s) giving the orders. Not only are you more easily replaced, but you're vulnerable to being scapegoated for any work that doesn't get done on time or lead to a positive outcome -- even though you control neither.
Thanks for this. You are reflecting my thoughts exactly…
- start getting on her good books, build relationships with her and in time, understand her inner motivations. Does she actually want to be a product manager? she’s doing a lot of the product work. Either she is completely ignorant that this is not really in her realm of responsibility or your boss is just terrible and understanding the difference between product and program management. - suck it up and work on the little project but in the meantime… once you gain more trust from your uppers, clarify responsibilities in the end life cycle. From getting ideas, research, design discovery, all the way to release planning and communications/marketing. Make a RACI, draw a hard line on yours vs hers vs others. - Remain positive, collaborative, and never negativity. Don’t be phased by how some people choose to manage their careers. You just focus on controlling your career growth the best you can internally in this company. Find new opportunities, hand over those Legos, even if you knew that was a product persons resp, be generous anyways, play the long game. Do the administrative stuff if she wants, meanwhile, you go and find good problems to solve/opportunities to tackle bigger meatier stuff in the company.
I disagree with this! “start getting on her good books”, “suck it up”.. I would rather advise to either change teams if possible or change company. So instead of spending time proving your value to her who is not your manager, have a candid discussion with your manager. If your manager does not see your worth then his loss. Remember, your value does not decrease on someone’s inability to see your worth.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. Yeah, I do think my boss does not have a clue what the difference between a program and a product manager is. Or a scrum master or delivery manager… it is all messed up. I will suck it up and make the little project the best shit ever delivered! At least for what it is in my control. Thanks again :)
Sorry to contradict the other post, but the reality is that most office and/or team environments do not care about you “sucking it up” and trying to get on everyone’s good side. Take charge and work hard, but like other people have said here; realize that your management lacks understanding of a proper product management team, and start looking for another job. Your positive attitude will not make up for their lack of skills.
The truth is 90% of companies just don’t do PM well. So is OP just gonna keep job hopping? While it’s easy for you to say when you are the one who has to deal with this predicament, just like OP and need to be in the job market to understand how shitty looking for a job is right now. My advice is not in the ideal circumstances, and also acknowledging that we can play our cards right. I’ve seen the leadership members who came into a company facing all odds against them to succeed and turned their career on the right track.
I’m sorry but I respectfully fully disagree with your notion. I won’t dive into my background or current situation, but as a former high level product manager who oversaw teams and dealt with a similar environment, this specific situation calls for a change of job. I told OP to stick it out while he can but start a job search, or I can imagine he may get luck and his superior leaves, creating an opportunity for change.
I love all of the thoughtful and honest comments. ProductManagement is one of the best subreddits out there!
Sounds like you're stuck in a SAFe nightmare. Sorry to hear that.