Fractional TPMs: Becoming the 1/3rd Technical Program Manager
Looking at the ever-changing tech marketplace, volatile as ever, we are starting to see the rise in fractional roles. More predominantly with early startups, the rise of part-time CTOs. Historically Technical Program Managers have not been at the forefront of the minds of founders even though they do need TPMs because of the sheer cost of another head-count (at least not just yet). What if you don’t need a full head-count but a partial head-count? The solution? Fractional TPMs in a whole new gig economy.
What is a Fractional TPM?
A fractional TPM is essentially a part-time, often contract-based Technical Program Manager who splits their time between multiple teams, products, or even companies. Think of it like the WeWork of program management: you don’t get the whole person, but you rent just enough of them to organize your chaos.
This isn’t some fringe idea. It’s already become standard in fast-scaling startups and even larger enterprises trying to “do more with less” (which, let’s be honest, usually means hire fewer full-time employees so we don’t have to give them healthcare).
