Based on my experiences and conversations with product managers, I’ve learned that the PM role can vary significantly depending on the company. However, two key insights from this reading stood out to me:
- PMs don’t participate much in building the product: Before, I assumed that product managers were directly involved in creating the product itself, focusing on product specs, strategic planning, and overseeing the roadmap. This reading, however, highlights that PMs do more connective work—bridging user needs with business goals, aligning technical viability with UX, and translating vision into execution. PMs seem to be facilitators, enabling teams to build rather than creating themselves. This was jarring to me, as I enjoy the process of building products and watching them come to life. I always thought PMs played a larger role in the hands-on creation.
- A PM’s value is manifested in the team, not in the individual: Another surprising point was that a PM’s success is not measured by individual contributions but through the achievements of the team. I’ve always wondered how a PM’s impact is evaluated if they don’t directly create the product. This idea that a PM’s value is reflected in how well they guide and support their team to deliver value is an interesting shift in perspective. It emphasizes collaboration, leadership, and enabling others.
These ideas raise a few questions for me:
- Why is there a distinction between PMs in theory vs. practice, such as in the recruiting process? Should we work toward a reality where the theoretical PM role, which involves more direct product creation, comes to fruition?
- Where does the PM’s responsibility for strategic vision fit in? At what point do PMs go beyond facilitation and make critical decisions about the product roadmap and business direction?
- How do PMs maintain a sense of ownership over a product and motivation when they’re not directly involved in building it? Without hands-on involvement in product creation, how do PMs stay connected to the product’s success?
These insights have made me reconsider my understanding of the PM role. While it challenges my previous perceptions, I’m curious to learn more about how PMs balance their strategic and connective responsibilities.
