Program Management

Program Management interview prep.

The library content Coach uses to tailor reports for this role. Generated reports personalise this against the candidate's CV + the firm's context.

Behavioural questions to expect

  1. Walk me through your programme management background.
  2. Tell me about a programme you've led.
  3. Why aerospace + defense programme management vs other PM paths?
  4. Why this domain - commercial aviation / military aviation / space / missiles / electronics?
  5. Why the firm?
  6. What's your read on our programme portfolio + customer mix?
  7. Tell me what you understand about our programme management practice.
  8. Walk me through the programme you're most proud of - I'll probe deeply on cost, schedule, technical, customer.

Technical concepts to master

  • Programme management discipline

    Integrated Master Plan + Schedule (IMP / IMS) · Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) · Risk + opportunity management · Technical Performance Measures (TPMs) · Contract types (FAR + OTA)

  • EVM + IMS in practice

    Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) · Variance analysis + corrective action · DCMA 14-point IMS assessment · EAC methods · Management reserve + contingency

  • IPT + cross-functional leadership

    IPT (Integrated Product Team) structure · PM vs chief engineer vs functional manager · Supplier + supply chain management · Status + cadence rhythm

  • Customer + acquisition + sell-on

    Customer programme office engagement · DCMA + DCAA oversight · Capture + sell-on cycle · ITAR + export + clearances

Practical drills

  • Your programme is 9 months into a 36-month EMD phase. CPI = 0.87, SPI = 0.82, BAC = $240M. AC = $72M, EV = $58M, PV = $71M. Customer asks for an EAC + recovery plan at next month's IBR. Walk through your approach.
  • Your engineering IPT lead is delivering technically but missing IPT commitments + creating friction with manufacturing + supply chain. Walk through your approach.
  • Your programme is 4 months from end of current contract period. The customer has option years available + an adjacent capability under study. Walk through how you'd position for option exercise + follow-on award.

Smart-question anchors

  • Programme portfolio + phase mix - commercial / military / space, dev / LRIP / FRP / sustainment
  • PM org + authority - functional vs IPT, PM-CE-FM matrix, deputy PM model
  • EVM + IMS posture - DCMA EVM-certified system, recent IBRs, schedule + cost performance
  • Customer base + relationship - DoD PEOs, civil space agency, commercial OEMs, FMS
  • Capture + sell-on - option exercise + follow-on + sustainment posture, IRAD investment

Sourced from

DoD 5000 series + Defense Acquisition University (DAU) materials · ANSI/EIA-748 EVM system criteria + DCMA EVM guides · PMI PMBOK + Standard for Program Management · MIL-STD-881 Work Breakdown Structure for Defense Materiel Items · GAO Cost Estimating + Schedule Assessment Guides

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