Does a Product Manager have best friends?!
While engineers thrive in team environments and designers receive critiques from their peers, you may wonder if Product Managers have similar support systems. How can one become a master of the product without guidance? Where can they turn to for guidance and feedback? And who can provide a peer review of their work before presenting it to stakeholders?
Here is my secret recipe to solve this problem. Shh, don't tell anyone!
Product Designer is your best bet, I’ll tell you why?
The process of developing a product or feature begins with the identification of a problem. This is typically achieved through conversations with various individuals, going through product analytics, and conducting research. Once the problem is identified, the next step is to break it down and explore different potential solutions. This involves brainstorming, and the most valuable ally in this endeavor is your Product Designer. As the most empathetic individual in understanding the user journey, the Product Designer plays a vital role. If you know how to connect with your designer and bring them on your side - half of the job is done!
We all know, product design plays a vital role in product development as it combines user needs, aesthetics, feasibility, and innovation to create products that deliver value and resonate with your target audience. So Product Designer is your best bet.
Find that Developer, you will succeed;
Having identified the problem and formulated a solution, the next step is to understand how to bring it to life. This includes exploring the challenges and feasibility issues that may arise during the implementation process. It is crucial to assess the practicality and viability of the solution.
If you know that developer who knows everything about your product, that is the right way to go, like your family doctor is your first person to approach for any medical condition that you may have. Having a developer who is well-versed in your product can provide valuable insights, guidance, and support throughout the development process.
Do you have a QA that you can trust?
I often say to my quality analyst, "You are my eyes, and I am your brain."
Indeed, establishing trust with your quality assurance team is crucial for successfully delivering a bug-free product. To achieve this, it is important to effectively communicate your vision to them, allowing them to visualize the desired output. In return, trust their expertise and instincts, they know how to break it, lol.
It's a collaborative process where your vision and their expertise merge to create a reliable and high-quality final product.
Listen to your success team, they know your customers;
Product Management extends beyond the launch of your products or features. It involves actively listening to your audience and gaining insights into their interactions with your product. This important task is often carried out by the customer/client success teams within an organization.
To effectively support customers and address any issues that arise, a Product Manager must establish a strong connection with the success team. This collaboration enables them to guide customers in utilizing the product as intended and promptly resolve any challenges. When it comes to enhancing product features, the services team becomes a valuable source of input, providing valuable insights into customer needs and preferences.
Summary
The secret recipe to building strong friendships at work lies in effective communication, trust, and collaboration. It's important to understand how to connect with others by speaking their language, a designer should feel they are talking to another designer and an engineer should feel the same.
It is tough to be a Product Manager, isn’t it?
Cheers,
Ebin.
