3.1: Program Managers

Define and execute programs leading to new capabilities for our Nation

Other Information:

Stellar program managers. Program managers are the core of the Agency. Each is a leader who brings to DARPA an adventurous spirit and a deep conviction that his or her technology vision will change the world. They come to DARPA because this is the place that gives them the opportunity to take breakthrough technologies to fruition. Our program managers generally serve 3 to 5-year terms, leading to a constant flow of new people and fresh views. A program manager may come from industry, universities, or another part of government. He might be at any stage in his career. But each has a set of distinguishing characteristics. He has strong engineering and scientific credentials and excellent judgment about both technology and technologists. He navigates seamlessly from deep science to systems to capabilities. He is driven to have an impact- to make a difference. He strives for confidence without arrogance, recognizing that our success comes from working effectively with others. The essence of the program manager's role is to define and execute a program that leads to new capabilities for our Nation. A great program manager does this by joining her own ideas with what she learns by listening to those who understand real-world challenges and those who are directly engaged with new research and ideas. She gets out of her office and meets with people where they innovate and work, in companies, universities, and other labs, to better understand their perspectives. From these inputs, she synthesizes a vision for a program that can have significant effect. Once she gains funding for the program, she projects this vision to a technical community that often sees the goals as nearly impossible, even though they themselves may have been part of the inspiration. When the performers are engaged and work is underway, she actively manages the program, driving down the risk inherent in reaching for bold impact and building the community into something greater than the sum of the individual parts. As the program generates results, she works tirelessly to engage potential users and encourage transition, ensuring that our success turns into real capability for the Nation. This process is cultivated and repeated time after time, day after day at DARPA.

Stakeholder(s):

• DARPA Program Managers

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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