What Is a Product Manager?
When we were asked in class on Tuesday what we imagined the role of a product manager to be, my idea of it was as an intermediary between all aspects of a product, both on the business and creative side, in order to ensure that those entrusted to develop the product have the resources to effectively do so and that everyone is aligned on the company’s vision for it. I had heard some conflicting takes on the responsibilities of a product manager, so to be told that there’s no clear-cut definition for the role is both a relief and a reminder to look more closely into expected responsibilities for every PM position I apply to. The book also helped me understand how product managers work as their own kind of intermediaries, striking a balance between the needs and wants of their customers and the feasible capabilities of their team in order to deliver an effective product without overworking their team. The list of bad product manager archetypes was useful for imagining how someone with good intentions could create an unpleasant work environment.
What Questions Do I Still Have?
This was definitely an interesting high-level introduction to the product manager role, but I’m excited to get into more detail. For one, I’m wondering how I can leverage my technical experience to be a more effective product manager. Additionally, because the bad PM archetypes made me think about how I may be at risk of becoming one of them, I’m hoping there will be advice about how to evaluate myself and determine if I’m inclined toward good decisions or destructive habits.
