Encore A–Z

PM and TD Collaboration

3 min read

PM and TD Collaboration

How the Production Manager and Technical Director roles work together. As Encore grows, the Technical Director takes on hands-on technical execution and crew supervision, freeing the Production Manager to focus on strategic coordination, project management, and communication.

What the Production Manager Keeps

  • Overall production coordination and project management
  • Calendar creation and oversight
  • Budget management and approval
  • Production meeting facilitation
  • Communication hub between departments
  • Hiring and contracts
  • Stage Manager support
  • High-level safety oversight

What Moves to the Technical Director

Technical Execution

  • Direct supervision of technical crew (lights, sound, set crew)
  • Managing technical equipment and inventory
  • Day-to-day set construction oversight
  • Equipment maintenance and repair coordination
  • Leading Dry Tech
  • Training and supervising board operators

Design Support

  • Liaison between designers and construction/execution
  • Translating design concepts into buildable solutions
  • Technical feasibility advice
  • Equipment rental coordination

What Becomes Collaborative

  • Load-In and Strike — PM coordinates schedules and logistics; TD supervises technical execution.
  • Safety Walk-Throughs — PM leads with TD technical expertise.
  • Technical Integration During Tech — Three-way collaboration: PM (overall coordination), TD (technical crew/equipment), SM (cues/flow).
  • Budget Management — PM maintains overall oversight and approval; TD manages technical spending and advises on purchases.

The Collaborative Triangle

Production Manager — Focus: strategic coordination, project management, communication. Asks: Are we on schedule? Is everyone communicating? Do we have what we need?

Technical Director — Focus: technical execution, equipment, crew supervision. Asks: Can we build this? Is it safe? Do we have the right equipment?

Stage Manager — Focus: rehearsal/performance operations, calling cues. Asks: Are we ready? Where are we in the script? Is everyone in place?

Decision-Making Framework

PM decides:

  • Production schedules and calendars
  • Overall budget allocation
  • Hiring and contracts
  • Production meeting agendas

TD decides:

  • Technical crew assignments
  • Construction methods
  • Equipment operation procedures
  • Specific technical solutions

Decided together:

  • Major equipment purchases or rentals
  • Load-in and strike schedules
  • Safety protocols
  • Technical budget priorities

First Production Together

Before the first meeting:

  • Meet one-on-one to establish working relationship.
  • Review calendar and key dates.
  • Clarify responsibilities.
  • Establish communication preferences.

During the first production:

  • Over-communicate.
  • Check in frequently about “who’s handling what.”
  • Be patient with the learning curve.

After the first production:

  • Evaluate what worked.
  • Adjust processes as needed.

Key Success Factors

  • Trust their expertise — The PM doesn’t need to solve every technical problem.
  • Stay strategic — Focus on big picture; let the TD handle technical details.
  • Communicate constantly — Especially early on, over-communicate.
  • Define clearly — When questions arise, define and document.
  • Support each other — Working toward the same goal.

Status: Working · Portal: Team · Last reviewed: 2026-05-11 · Owner: Rhett

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