Learning Loop Playbooks Learning Loop

Product management, Leadership

Product Manager

Responsible for overseeing the development and success of a company's product.

Also called: Agile Project Manager, Agile Program Manager, Agile Delivery Manager, Agile Product Owner, Agile Release Manager, Agile Product Development Manager, Agile Product Lifecycle Manager, Agile Product Line Manager, and Agile Product Strategy Manager

See also: Agile Framework, Agile Manifesto, Agile Principles, Agile Product Development, Agile Program Management Office, Agile Release Train, Agile Roadmap, Agile Teams, Agile Values, Product Delivery

Relevant metrics: User Satisfaction, Time to Market, Cost Savings, Quality of Deliverables, and Product Adoption Rate

In this article

What is a Product Manager?

A Product Manager is a professional who is responsible for the development and management of a product throughout its lifecycle. This includes the planning, design, development, testing, and launch of the product. The Product Manager is responsible for ensuring that the product meets the needs of the customer and is delivered on time and within budget. They must also be able to effectively communicate with stakeholders, manage resources, and coordinate with other teams to ensure the successful delivery of the product. The Product Manager must also be able to identify and address any potential risks associated with the product and ensure that the product meets the user experience requirements.

Where did Product Manager come from?

The role is based on the values of the Agile Manifesto. Agile Product Management emphasizes the importance of customer feedback, rapid iteration, and continuous improvement. It also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between teams, which allows for faster development and better customer satisfaction. Agile Product Management has become increasingly popular in recent years, as it allows for faster product development and better customer satisfaction.

Within software development, the job title “Product Manager” as an extension of Product Owners is attributed to Marty Cagan, a Silicon Valley product executive and author.

Understanding the Role of a Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for managing the development of products in an agile environment. This means that they must be able to quickly adapt to changing customer needs and market conditions, while also ensuring that the product is delivered on time and within budget.

A Product Manager must be able to effectively communicate with stakeholders, both internal and external, to ensure that the product meets the needs of the customer. They must also be able to manage the development process, from conception to launch, and ensure that the product is delivered on time and within budget. Additionally, they must be able to identify and address any potential risks associated with the product, and ensure that the product meets the customer’s expectations.

A Product Manager must also be able to effectively manage the team responsible for developing the product. This includes ensuring that the team is working together effectively, and that the product is being developed in accordance with the customer’s requirements. Additionally, they must be able to identify and address any potential issues that may arise during the development process.

Finally, a Product Manager must be able to effectively manage the product’s launch. This includes ensuring that the product is launched on time and within budget, and that the customer is satisfied with the product. Additionally, they must be able to identify and address any potential issues that may arise during the launch process.

The role is responsible for managing the development of products in an agile environment. They must be able to effectively communicate with stakeholders, manage the development process, manage the team responsible for developing the product, and manage the product’s launch. By doing so, they ensure that the product meets the customer’s needs and is delivered on time and within budget.

A Product Manager should have a strong understanding of agile principles and practices, as well as experience in product management. They should also have strong communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Advantages of having a Product Manager

  • Increased Efficiency. A Product Manager is able to quickly identify and prioritize tasks, allowing for faster completion of projects. This leads to increased efficiency and improved customer satisfaction.
  • Improved Collaboration. Product Managers are able to work closely with stakeholders, developers, and other team members to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. This leads to improved collaboration and better communication between all parties.
  • Increased Visibility. Product Managers are able to provide visibility into the progress of projects, allowing for better decision-making and improved customer satisfaction.
  • Improved Quality. Product Managers are able to quickly identify and address any issues that arise during the development process, leading to improved quality and customer satisfaction.

Challenges of being in the role as a Product Manager

  • Time Management. Product Managers must be able to manage their time effectively in order to ensure that all tasks are completed on time and that the product is delivered on schedule.
  • Communication. Product Managers must be able to communicate effectively with all stakeholders, including developers, designers, and customers.
  • Adaptability. Product Managers must be able to quickly adapt to changing requirements and customer feedback.
  • Prioritization. Product Managers must be able to prioritize tasks and features in order to ensure that the most important tasks are completed first.
  • Collaboration. Product Managers must be able to collaborate with other team members in order to ensure that the product is delivered on time and meets customer expectations.

Responsibilities

Product Manager is a role that is responsible for managing the development of a product or service in an agile environment. The Product Manager is responsible for leading the product development team, setting product goals, and ensuring that the product meets customer needs.

The Product Manager is responsible for:

  • Developing a product roadmap and vision
  • Working with stakeholders to define product requirements
  • Prioritizing product features and tasks
  • Working with the development team to ensure that the product is delivered on time and within budget
  • Ensuring that the product meets customer needs
  • Managing the product backlog
  • Working with the development team to ensure that the product is tested and released on time
  • Working with the marketing team to ensure that the product is promoted effectively
  • Monitoring the product’s performance and making adjustments as needed
  • Working with the customer support team to ensure that customer issues are addressed quickly and effectively
  • Working with the sales team to ensure that the product is sold effectively
  • Working with the finance team to ensure that the product is profitable
  • Working with the legal team to ensure that the product is compliant with applicable laws and regulations
  • Working with the operations team to ensure that the product is delivered on time and within budget
  • Working with the executive team to ensure that the product meets the company’s strategic objectives

Key Qualifications

A Product Manager should have the following qualifications:

  • Agile and Scrum expertise. An understanding of Agile methodologies and experience with Scrum, including hands-on experience leading Scrum teams and delivering Agile projects.
  • Strong communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization, as well as with cross-functional teams and customers.
  • Customer-focused mindset. A deep understanding of customer needs and the ability to translate those needs into product requirements.
  • Strategic thinking. The ability to think strategically and make informed decisions that balance customer needs, business goals, and technological feasibility.
  • Technical skills. Familiarity with technologies, tools, and software development methodologies that are relevant to the development of digital products.
  • Leadership. Strong leadership skills and the ability to lead cross-functional teams, motivate and inspire team members, and drive results.
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to analyze complex problems, make data-driven decisions, and develop creative solutions.
  • Adaptability. An ability to adapt to change and be flexible in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
  • Business acumen. A good understanding of business processes, financials, and marketing strategies.
  • Stakeholder management. Experience managing stakeholders, including team members, customers, and business partners, and the ability to build strong relationships.

What are good places to recruit a Product Manager?

  • Professional networking sites. LinkedIn and other professional networking sites are great places to find Product Managers who are actively seeking new opportunities.
  • Agile Conferences and Meetups. Attending conferences and meetups around product development can provide an opportunity to network with other professionals in the field and possibly find candidates who are interested in new opportunities.
  • Online Job Boards. Online job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and Dice, offer a large pool of candidates for Product Manager roles, allowing you to easily search for and identify suitable candidates.
  • Employee Referrals. Employee referrals are a valuable source of quality candidates, and your current employees may know someone who would be a good fit for the Product Manager role.
  • Professional Agile Organizations. Joining professional Agile organizations, such as the Agile Alliance, can provide access to a large network of Agile professionals, including potential candidates for the Product Manager role.
  • Agile Communities. Participating in online Agile communities, such as Agile Uprising or Agile Practitioners, can give you access to a large pool of Agile professionals who may be interested in a new opportunity as a Product Manager.
Relevant questions to ask
  • What is the scope of the project?
    Hint The scope of the project should include a detailed description of the project's goals, objectives, timeline, budget, resources, and expected outcomes.
  • What is the timeline for the project?
    Hint The timeline for the project should include a timeline for completion of each task and milestone.
  • What are the goals and objectives of the project?
    Hint The goals and objectives of the project should be clearly defined and measurable.
  • What resources are available to support the project?
    Hint The resources available to support the project should include personnel, equipment, materials, and other resources necessary to complete the project.
  • What is the budget for the project?
    Hint The budget for the project should include a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the project.
  • What is the expected outcome of the project?
    Hint The expected outcome of the project should be clearly defined and measurable.
  • What is the team structure and roles?
    Hint The team structure and roles should be clearly defined and communicated to all team members.
  • What is the process for managing changes and feedback?
    Hint The process for managing changes and feedback should include a system for collecting and responding to feedback from stakeholders.
  • What is the process for tracking progress and milestones?
    Hint The process for tracking progress and milestones should include a system for tracking progress and milestones against the timeline.
  • What is the process for communication and collaboration?
    Hint The process for communication and collaboration should include a system for sharing information and collaborating with team members.

You might also be interested in reading up on:

People who talk about the topic of Product Manager on Twitter
Relevant books on the topic of Product Manager
  • Agile Product Management with Scrum: Creating Products that Customers Love by Roman Pichler (2010)
  • Agile Product Management: Creating and Launching Successful Products with Scrum by Roman Pichler (2017)
  • Succeeding with Agile: Software Development Using Scrum by Mike Cohn (2010)
  • Agile Product Strategy: How to Leverage Agile and Product Management for Competitive Advantage by Roman Pichler (2018)
  • Agile Product Management: Foundations, Frameworks, and Practices by Roman Pichler (2020)

Want to learn more?

Receive a hand picked list of the best reads on building products that matter every week. Curated by Anders Toxboe. Published every Tuesday.

No spam! Unsubscribe with a single click at any time.

Community events
Product Loop

Product Loop provides an opportunity for Product professionals and their peers to exchange ideas and experiences about Product Design, Development and Management, Business Modelling, Metrics, User Experience and all the other things that get us excited.

Join our community

Made with in Copenhagen, Denmark

Want to learn more about about good product development, then browse our product playbooks.