[midvar]

If you're referring to Program Management and not Project Management... Microsoft actually created the "PM" role and popularized it.

"The PM role is unique to Microsoft and was actually created in response to developing software that is more usable and at the same time pushes the state of the art of technology. So when we talk about PM at Microsoft, we're talking from a perspective of creating and evolving the role over the lifetime of the PC industry."

"Program managers got started at Microsoft while developing Excel for the Macintosh. [...] a new role was created in Program Management with the explicit goal of partnering with development and working through the entire product cycle as the advocate for end-users and customers."

https://web.eecs.umich.edu/~xwangsd/courses/w23/readings/PM%...