Product Management FAQs

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What do Product Managers do?

Product managers decide what to build next. They are accountable for the overall success of the product.

Product Managers drive the vision, product strategy, user experience, execution, and success of the product or one of its areas. Product Managers are trusted by the organisation to make prioritisation calls.

Product Managers and their teams work on a product or feature that impacts the wider business, from customer support to finance. They must have a clear picture of how and why the feature or product impacts all areas of the business so they can facilitate and adopt the change.

A Product Manager’s role is somewhat similar to that of a conductor in an orchestra. Conductors may know how to play a few instruments, but they can't play them all. Instead, they direct the musicians to create the symphony.

How do you get into product management with no experience?

The most common and accessible way of getting into Product Management is through an internal transition. There are a couple of things you can start doing:

• Shift your thinking and look through the users' lens.
• Create a pet project to practise product management skills.
• Read books and articles on product management.
• Talk to your manager (if you already have a job) and share your aspirations.
• Act like a product manager in your current role.

Find out more about How to get into product management without experience.

How to trigger a Product Manager?

Ask them if they are a Project Manager.

Don’t do this. Seriously.

What is the difference between a product manager and a project manager?

Product management and project management are two distinct disciplines with different roles and responsibilities. A product manager is responsible for the long-term success of a product or set of products, while a project manager is responsible for delivering a specific project on time, within budget. Most product managers are competent project managers, but the reverse is not necessarily true.

Here are a bunch of differences between a product manager and a project manager:

• A Product Manager is responsible for the product's success and profitability, while a Project Manager is responsible for delivering the project on time and within budget.
• A Product Manager focuses on the overall vision and strategy for a product, and a Project manager focuses on planning and executing specific projects.
• A Product Manager defines product features and prioritises the product roadmap, and a Project Manager defines the scope, budget, and timeline of a project.
• A Product Manager conducts market research and identifies customer needs and wants, and a Proejct Manager identifies and assigns tasks to team members and oversees project progress.

What’s the difference between a Product Manager and a Product Owner?

Yes, this is confusing. Product Manager is a job and Product Owner is a role in an agile team.

A Product Manager is a single person responsible for the strategy, discovery, and delivery of a product.

A Product Owner is responsible only for a subset of the product development process — the delivery of the product.

Always go for Product Manager job/role.

Does a Product Manager need to know how to code?

No. You don’t need to know how to write or read code. It’s important to understand how things work and be familiar with the latest technology. You should know enough to help your team of software engineers focus on what matters to customers and the business.

What is the product management mindset?

The product management mindset is a way of thinking and approach to problem-solving that focuses on understanding the needs of users and creating products that meet those needs in a profitable and sustainable way. Product managers are responsible for defining the strategy and vision for a product, and working with cross-functional teams to bring that vision to life.

The product management mindset involves a combination of analytical and creative thinking, as well as a deep understanding of the market and the competition. Product managers must be able to identify and prioritise opportunities for growth, and develop and execute a plan to achieve those goals.

In order to have a successful product management mindset, a product manager must be able to think both strategically and tactically, and be comfortable making difficult decisions and taking calculated risks. They must also be able to communicate effectively with all stakeholders, including users, customers, and team members, in order to build a shared vision and drive alignment towards common goals.

Is being a product manager stressful?

It can be, however nothing feels better than seeing users love what you’re building. Launching new products and features is exciting and overpowers any stress. There will always be some butterflies in your stomach, though. If you are stressed:

• Remember your wins! You are awesome!
• Talk to someone. Share your problems.
• Go for a walk.
• One day at a time. One task at a time.

How to Raise Problem Awareness for Niche Products

Raising problem awareness for a niche product can be a challenge, but it's not impossible. By educating your audience, collaborating with influencers, tailoring your messaging, and building organic buzz, you can overcome this challenge and promote your product effectively. Remember, it's not about reaching everyone, but reaching the right people who truly need and appreciate what you're offering.

How do Product Managers influence people?

Product managers have a significant impact on people within an organisation, as they are responsible for defining the vision and strategy for a product, and working with cross-functional teams to bring that vision to life.

Product managers use their expertise and knowledge of the market and competition to influence decision-making and shape the direction of a product. They work closely with teams across the organisation, including design, engineering, marketing, and sales, to ensure that everyone is aligned and working towards the same goals.

Product managers also use their communication skills and ability to build relationships to influence stakeholders and gain their support for the product. This can involve presenting data and research to support their ideas, and engaging in discussions and negotiations to reach a mutually beneficial outcome.

Overall, product managers play a key role in influencing people within an organisation, and their ability to lead and drive change can have a significant impact on the success of a product.

What's a typical day like for a Product Manager?

A typical day for a product manager may involve a variety of activities, such as conducting market research, analysing customer feedback, and collaborating with team members on the product roadmap. They may also spend time meeting with various stakeholders, such as designers, engineers, or sales teams, to provide guidance and support.

Throughout the day, a product manager may work on strategic initiatives, such as developing the product roadmap and identifying opportunities for growth and innovation. In the evening, they may review progress and updates from the day, and plan for the next day's activities. They may also spend time networking and attending events to stay up-to-date on industry trends and build relationships with other professionals in the field.

What are the problems faced by fintech startups?

Starting a fintech company is exciting venture. It does come with its own set of unique challenges. As the Head of Product of a fintech startup in a two-sided marketplace that offers customers a new payment option, I personally witnessed the challenges associated with developing a fintech startup. The key problems are:

• Finding B2B clients first in order to test an idea
• People might not yet recognise they have a problem
• Users are blind to the many payment options available at checkout

What Product Strategy Template should I use?

Planning your product strategy is hard, but luckily there's a solution! Learn about the Product Strategy Canvas Notion Template, inspired by Melissa Perri's article on good product strategy. The Product Strategy Canvas Notion Template is designed to help you plan and visualise your product strategy in a way that's easy to understand and implement. It's like a roadmap for your product, but with more colours and fewer boring meetings.

What is SCQA?

The SCQA, or the Minto Pyramid Principle, emerges as a formidable tool for effective business communication and problem-solving. Its structured approach enables you to unravel intricate concepts, transforming them into digestible components. Embracing the SCQA framework in your business communications yields a plethora of benefits, empowering you to achieve clarity and impact

Breaking into Product Management

As technology continues to reshape industries, product management has become a crucial role in many companies, particularly in the context of medium-sized startups. Product managers (PMs) are responsible for guiding the development and delivery of products that meet customer needs and drive business growth. I can provide practical advice and insights on how to break into product management for those who have never worked in tech or product management before.