What is a PM?
A product manager’s job depends on different factors (i.e type of industry and product). The core responsibility of a PM is centered around ensuring the product’s success. PMs tend to plan, and collaborate with different stakeholders within and outside of their organization. They also often act as the ‘middleman,’ bridging the gap between customers and the company by understanding user needs and ensuring those insights are directly reflected in the product.
Additionally, the role of a PM depends on their level. Junior PMs will likely work on specific features and tasks whereas senior PMs (or product leaders) are often responsible for shaping the product strategy, managing different parts of a product, and influencing the broader direction of the organization.
Regardless of their level, PMs play a pivotal role in driving the success (or failure) of a product.As the saying goes “companies don’t fail because they couldn’t build the product, they fail because they built the wrong thing.” Ultimately, PMs are responsible for the success of their products and building the right thing for the target customer(s).
A few questions I have for the author of this book are:
- How has the PM role changed over the past decade?
- With the current advancement in AI, should PMs be fearful of losing their jobs?
- What role will PMs play in the near future?
- What types of metrics should be used in evaluating PMs? How to identify an exceptional PM?
