Hi, I'm a PM
Published on Nov 23, 2015
Presentation for Code Writers Workshop in Seattle, Oct 17 2015. Presented with some mods for Zillow Interns on August 17 2016.
MORE DECKS TO EXPLORE
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
so many P's
product, program, technical pm, ...
No matter the title, everyone company is different. I've had every title in the book and most of the core job qualities and responsibilities remain the same.
Some are more business-oriented, and others are more technical.
IMO the best product mgrs (whatever the title) work closely with their designers and engineers as a team. It takes a village.
Some are more business-oriented, and others are more technical.
IMO the best product mgrs (whatever the title) work closely with their designers and engineers as a team. It takes a village.
Photo by chrisinplymouth
and everyone in between
from the creative genius to the clipboard addict
Within all the PMs, there are also different types.
Creative genius - ideas, ideas, ideas, but when it comes too execution, not so interested.
Serial entrepreneurs....
Then there is the person who manages the schedule like no tomorrow.
Amazon anecdote about the signature page...
Creative genius - ideas, ideas, ideas, but when it comes too execution, not so interested.
Serial entrepreneurs....
Then there is the person who manages the schedule like no tomorrow.
Amazon anecdote about the signature page...
Photo by Reiterlied
2011 Martin Eriksson, what, exactly, is a product manager? from mindtheproduct.com.
http://www.mindtheproduct.com/2011/10/what-exactly-is-a-product-manager/
Some PMs lean more UX, some lean more Tech, some lean more business, but ultimately you are always managing across these areas.
Examples: Video Walkthroughs
Some PMs lean more UX, some lean more Tech, some lean more business, but ultimately you are always managing across these areas.
Examples: Video Walkthroughs
obsessed with customers
has empathy and advocates for them
Customer Service
Usability
User-centered design
Customer metrics
* Amazon 1-Click Usability Study example
* Customer Service rotations
* Directly responding to customers at IMDb
* Reading app reviews
Usability
User-centered design
Customer metrics
* Amazon 1-Click Usability Study example
* Customer Service rotations
* Directly responding to customers at IMDb
* Reading app reviews
Photo by James Cridland
tech savvy
probably doesn't have time to write code though
CS degree is often a requirement these days even though realistically most PMs aren't writing code, nor would you want them too!
Photo by brewbooks
intuitive & gutsy
"spidey-sense product instincts and creativity" - Ken Norton
Ken Norton
https://www.kennethnorton.com/essays/productmanager.html
more art & science
exercise good judgment
new problems to solve everyday
there is no manual
you'll rarely have all the information you need at any one time, but it's your job to keep the train moving
https://www.kennethnorton.com/essays/productmanager.html
more art & science
exercise good judgment
new problems to solve everyday
there is no manual
you'll rarely have all the information you need at any one time, but it's your job to keep the train moving
Photo by stusic
writes well
knows when to talk & when to listen
clear and influential communication
BRDs, MRDs, PRDs, etc
30 page specs with physical sign-off sheets
Amazon 'working backwards' model - Press Release, FAQ
Amazon 6-pagers
JIRAs
Emails
Tweets
BRDs, MRDs, PRDs, etc
30 page specs with physical sign-off sheets
Amazon 'working backwards' model - Press Release, FAQ
Amazon 6-pagers
JIRAs
Emails
Tweets
Photo by guccio@文房具社
the coach, the cheerleader & the mascot
go team!
Teams are made of people - the PM helps steer the ship in good times and in bad.
What are the goals?
What is important now and important later, and not so important?
Stay positive - will acknowledging the challenges and risks.
What are the goals?
What is important now and important later, and not so important?
Stay positive - will acknowledging the challenges and risks.
Photo by KKfromBB
the decider
someone has to do it
Are we or are we not going to launch with this?
Zillow examples
Zillow examples
Photo by Joelk75
has thick skin
' cause you can't please everyone
Amazon - taking the phone number of the website
--
"IMDb -
Message from Roger Ebert
Subject: The way you've re-designed
the Director Credits is facocta."
---
Nordstrom Android App - making the call to retire the app
---
making the call that everyone's favorite feature won't make it for launch
--
100 ways to say No
--
"IMDb -
Message from Roger Ebert
Subject: The way you've re-designed
the Director Credits is facocta."
---
Nordstrom Android App - making the call to retire the app
---
making the call that everyone's favorite feature won't make it for launch
--
100 ways to say No
Photo by TheLizardQueen
power user
eats the dog food, every day
finder of the most bugs!
detail-oriented
cares about quality
perfectionist
uses the product in and out of the office - real-world!
may be called obsessed
detail-oriented
cares about quality
perfectionist
uses the product in and out of the office - real-world!
may be called obsessed
Photo by wiccked
jack of all trades
wearer of many hats
The Janitor
https://medium.com/@matbalez/product-manager-you-are-664d83ee702e
finds the most bugs!
orders the lunches & the T-shirts
wrangles meeting schedules
triages 300 JIRA items
handles Legal & PR
writes release notes
makes fancy powerpoints
talks to CS and sales
looks at datas
preps business/ product reviews
protects team from interruptions
https://medium.com/@matbalez/product-manager-you-are-664d83ee702e
finds the most bugs!
orders the lunches & the T-shirts
wrangles meeting schedules
triages 300 JIRA items
handles Legal & PR
writes release notes
makes fancy powerpoints
talks to CS and sales
looks at datas
preps business/ product reviews
protects team from interruptions
Photo by Miikka Skaffari
