Product Manager Practice (6): Core competencies and career development of product managers

In today's rapidly changing business environment, the importance of product managers as a key role in connecting markets, users, and technology is becoming increasingly prominent. Product managers need to have not only the ability to identify opportunities, but also the ability to continuously learn and improve. In this article, we will explore the core competencies of product managers and their career paths.

1. The core competencies of product managers

1.1 Ability to identify opportunities

Identifying opportunities is one of the core competencies of product managers. When the real opportunity comes, it's easy to produce results; And when the opportunity has not yet materialized, no amount of effort can be achieved. Therefore, product managers need to have keen market insight and be able to identify market needs, user pain points, and future trends. This ability is not only reflected in the in-depth understanding of the current market, but more importantly, the ability to predict future trends. A good product manager can always catch market changes at the first time, so as to find a breakthrough for the product.

1.2 Ability to continue learning and improving

Product manager is a profession that requires lifelong learning. The rapid development of the market and technology requires product managers to constantly update their knowledge system and keep abreast of the latest technology and market trends. Continuous learning includes not only the learning of professional knowledge, but also the improvement of soft skills, such as communication skills, teamwork skills, etc. Only by continuous learning and progress can product managers be invincible in the fierce market competition. In this era of rapid change, stagnation means obsolescence.

2. The three views and professionalism of the product manager

2.1 User Orientation

Product managers always focus on user needs and pursue the ultimate user experience. Only by having a deep understanding of user needs can we design products that truly meet user needs. A good user experience is the key to the success of a product, and it all comes from the product manager's deep understanding and care for the user.

2.2 Market Acumen

Product managers need to be highly sensitive to market changes and be able to respond quickly to market changes. This requires not only a solid market analysis ability for product managers, but also a certain degree of foresight. In a rapidly changing market environment, product managers who can capture and react to market signals in a timely manner are undoubtedly the most competitive.

2.3 Ability to innovate

Product managers need to have the courage to try new things, dare to break the mold, and create unique product value. Innovation is not only the innovation of product function, but also the innovation of the way of thinking. In a homogeneous market, only continuous innovation can make products stand out.

2.4 Teamwork

Product managers need to be good communicators and able to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to drive projects forward. The ability to work as a team is an important guarantee for the success of a product manager. In the complex process of product development, good teamwork can greatly improve work efficiency and ensure that projects run smoothly.

3. Career path for product managers

3.1 Professional Product Manager

"Professional product managers" are usually focused on feature development in a certain niche and are positions in large enterprises. They need to have granular operational skills and a deep understanding of specific businesses. The success of a professional product manager lies in his or her dedication to a specific area to enhance the user experience by continuously optimizing product features. In such a role, the product manager needs to continuously accumulate experience and knowledge to become an expert in the field.

3.2 Startup Product Manager

A "startup product manager" is a product manager who is responsible for the success or failure of the entire business, similar to a product manager for a startup. They need to have greater market insight, strategic planning skills, and an entrepreneurial spirit. The success of a startup product manager lies in their ability to seize market opportunities and quickly launch products that meet market needs. In an entrepreneurial environment, product managers need to have not only a keen sense of the market, but also a sense of risk-taking.

4. Product Manager's Methodology

4.1 The right way to think

Product managers need to be logical and critical. Logical thinking can help product managers analyze the problem clearly and find out the essence of the problem; Critical thinking, on the other hand, allows product managers to be critical of ideas and data, rather than blindly accepting them. The right way of thinking is the key to solving problems.

Problem Breakdown: Disassemble complex problems into smaller parts and analyze them one by one. For example, if there is a problem with the product function, you can break it down into multiple parts such as the front-end, back-end, and database to troubleshoot them one by one.

Causality analysis: Find the root cause of the problem, not just the superficial phenomenon. For example, a high churn rate may be due to a poor user experience, and further analysis may be due to slow loading speeds, unfriendly interfaces, etc.

4.2 Correct communication methods

Product managers need to have good cross-departmental collaboration skills, and be able to effectively communicate with technical, marketing, sales and other departments to drive project progress. At the same time, the product manager also needs to establish a good communication channel with users and collect user feedback. Effective communication ensures accurate delivery of information and improves work efficiency.

Articulate: Write a clear Requirements Document (PRD) to ensure that the requirements are understood by all stakeholders. For example, describe requirements through detailed user stories to ensure that both developers and designers can understand accurately.

Effective communication: Regularly report project progress to the team and management to ensure transparency. For example, a weekly project progress debriefing meeting to keep everyone informed of the current status.

4.3 Correct working methods

Product managers need to have good project management skills to ensure that products are delivered on time. In addition, product managers need to be proficient in agile development methods to iterate on products quickly. The right way to work can help product managers get more done in a limited amount of time.

Agile development: Develop a detailed iteration plan to ensure that each iteration has a clear goal. For example, a weekly sprint planning meeting to discuss the goals and tasks for the next sprint.

Project management tools: Use project management tools to track the progress of tasks and ensure that everyone is clear about their responsibilities. For example, assign tasks, set priorities and deadlines through JIRA.

4.4 Correct cognitive approach

Product managers need to have an in-depth understanding of market trends and be able to anticipate future directions. At the same time, product managers also need to have self-awareness, be clear about their strengths and weaknesses, and continuously improve themselves. The right cognitive approach enables product managers to better adapt to market changes and continuously improve their competitiveness.

Market Trend Analysis: Read industry reports regularly to stay up-to-date on the latest market trends. For example, subscribe to TechCrunch, VentureBeat and other tech media to get the latest industry news.

User research: Conduct regular user interviews to understand the real needs of users. For example, schedule monthly user interviews to collect user feedback.

4.5 The right way to learn

Product managers need to keep learning new things to stay competitive. Accumulate experience through practice and improve your professional level. The right learning approach enables product managers to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing market.

Continuous learning: Utilize online courses (e.g., Coursera, Udemy) to learn the latest product management knowledge and techniques. For example, take courses like agile development, user experience design, and more.

Practice accumulation: After each project, review and summarize to refine lessons learned. For example, after each product release, organize a project review meeting to discuss the successes and failures.

5. Combine the three views and methodology

A good product manager must not only have the right three views, but also master the right methodology. This means:

5.1 Matching with Domains

An individual's values, worldview, and outlook on life should match the field in which they live. The three views of product managers directly affect their product ideas and product strategies. Only the three views that match the field can design products that meet the market demand.

5.2 Cross-domain commonality

Product managers need to have versatile capabilities across domains and be able to adapt quickly and make a difference in different industries. Cross-domain capabilities enable product managers to navigate different business scenarios. No matter what industry you're in, good product managers are quick to settle in and play a key role.

6. Summary

Product manager is a profession that requires constant learning and adapting to change. Whether you are a "professional product manager" or a "startup product manager", you need to have the ability to identify opportunities and the ability to continuously learn and improve. With the right methodology, product managers can play an important role in different areas to drive business success.

This article was originally published by @Miaahaha on Everyone is a Product Manager. Reproduction without permission is prohibited

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