Best part about being a PM

Program management is the most talked and the least understood position in Microsoft from an outsiders perspective. A number of blogs about PMs talk about this art (and science) and they make a fascinating reading (Joel on Software; KC Lemson; Vernal). The more you read, the more confused you get. And that exactly is what the job is about. Its about chaos; unstructure, unplanned chaos. It can be daunting, frustrating, challenging and satisfying - depending on the kind of person you are.

The best part about being a PM though is the people factor. If it hasn't been said before, Microsoft has some of the brightest mind in the software industry. There is so much talent - raw and honed. And as a PM, you get the opportunity to work with a lot of them. I wont list the job disciplines that a PM interacts with because that has been mentioned a lot of times. But the point I am trying to make is that when you work with people with different backgrounds (cultural, educational, experience, age, gender, etc), your outlook (not the email client) broadens. And when you wrok with the very best, you realize how much you have to grow to reach the caliber of these talented pool of people. It is scary but highly motivating.

For me, being a PM is the best job in the world. Reasons

1. I get to work on my people skills and still not lose touch with my technical background
2. I get to work in the rights management (www.microsoft.com/rms) which has been my passion for all my career (educational and professional)
3. The work is dynamic - my job description changes every day. things are never stale (almost) and every morning is a different ball game
4. Amazing team - Great work, great people, great product and great fun
5. Work Profile - great set of features to work on

To borrow great words of Henry Longfellow and add a lil bit of creativity, you get the PM verse title 'The Redmond PM'

Specing,--designing,--scheduling,
Onward through ship cycle he goes;
Each milestone sees some tasks begin,
Each RTM sees it close
Customer demanded, we provided,
Has earned a hefty bonus

Mayur