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🧚 Before you start

What you are getting into?

Product Managers play an intersectional role encompassing multiple disciplines. They don’t necessarily build expertise in one single aspect of product building.

Imagine a mini-CEO who is responsible for the success of a product but without direct authority over teams that actually build the product.

You will need to learn how to build successful products and add value with your vision and research. Doing this will garner you respect. Remember, engineers who actually build the product will still command more respect.

Functions of a Product Manager

Imagination vs Reality

😵‍💫 Imagination

😅 Reality

PMs are the Boss

Successful PMs always influence through vision & research. They have no direct authority. You may lose the respect of engineers and other stakeholders if you do try to boss them around.

It’s all about Ideas

Build everything the User asks for

Ideas are plenty. The most coveted companies have a high success rate of Products they launch. This has a lot to do with the amount of research & execution of well-thought-out ideas.

Users are great at identifying problems. They may not be as good at prioritising. It’s your job to assess & build what matters.

PM means Project Management

You may have to do a little bit of project management based on your organisation. Most of your time should go into identifying problems, and opportunities. Prioritising. Effective solutions that may or may not need building.

PM means Program Management

You are responsible for the launch and support of your product. However, engineering teams decide on timelines.

Fresh Grads cannot be PMs

Many tech companies like Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Yahoo recruit PMs right out of College.

PMs set-up Meetings

PMs represent their team to internal and external stakeholders. They are able to reduce the number of meetings their teammates would have to attend.