Do Product Management

Product managers are inherently hard to define, but at the end of the day they operate in the intersection of technology, business, design, and marketing. Ultimately, they are responsible for shipping an amazing product. The role can vary widely depending on the company, but will usually involve designing a procedure, overseeing a team, and managing long-term projects to meet a client's needs. The best product managers are good communicators, have extensive technical knowledge, are collaborative, and intuitively understand what makes a great product.

Steps

Communicating Effectively

1. Delegate information clearly and concisely. Communication is one of the main tasks of a product manager. You'll have to delegate between your team, your bosses, and your customers to produce the best results. Get used to giving clear, concise directions to your team members. Don't rely on long explanations when you could say the same thing in a much simpler way. Clear directions will make you a better team leader.
   • If you don't have good communication skills, work on them with practice. Try to express yourself as simply and clearly as possible in all your conversations. If you're shy when speaking with people, then try to engage strangers in public to build your personal skills.
   • Giving presentations will probably be part of the job too. Get comfortable with public speaking to sell your products or services to customers.
2. Improve your listening skills to understand what stakeholders expect. Remember that listening is part of good communication too. Pay attention to customers, your bosses, and your team members when they explain their needs and constraints. Use your listening skills to get the clearest idea you can of the task at hand.
   • If you have to, repeat what someone said back to them so you understand what they were saying. It's better to do this than make a mistake later on.
   • Listen to your team members as well. If someone has a problem or dispute with a coworker, make sure the employee feels heard, and take appropriate action if you have to.
3. Write clearly to produce good product reports. Written communication is as important as verbal communication for product managers. Your bosses will want progress reports, your customers will want proposals, and your team members need clear directions. Write in a way that is easy to skim and understand. Eliminate unnecessary description and tell your readers exactly what you want them to know.
   • Try to eliminate the fluff from your writing. Keep reports and emails concise so readers know what you're saying right away.
   • If necessary, use bullet points to make your writing easier to skim. Large paragraphs will frustrate people who don't have a lot of time on their hands.
4. Keep all stakeholders in the loop on the project's progress. This is where your communication skills are important. Don't leave customers or your bosses in the dark about how a project is going. Provide regular updates so the stakeholders know you're on top of things. Ideally, give them these updates without being asked so they know you're working on it.
   • Make these updates short and clear. Stakeholders should be able to understand what you're saying by skimming the message.
   • Also remember to outline any issues you've had. If the deadline is looking tight, for example, let the stakeholders know so they aren't surprised if the project takes longer.
   • If someone contacts you asking for an update, don't delay in responding. Stakeholders want to know that you're on top of the project and won't be happy if you don't answer their questions.

Completing Tasks Efficiently

1. Be flexible and open to new ideas to tackle problems. Problem-solving is a huge part of being a product manager, and flexibility helps you with that task. Don't get stuck in a rigid mindset or set in your ways. Always remember that new knowledge might open doors for you and help you accomplish tasks.
   • Keeping up with new research in your field will help you avoid rigid thinking. Try subscribing to business or management publications so you're always up to date with the latest methods.
   • Remember to be open to suggestions from your team members as well. They may have different training and expertise than you do, which is an important asset to solving problems.
   • Flexibility is especially important if you work at a smaller company or startup. These companies may not have established procedures, so you'll operate much more like an entrepreneur to solve problems.
2. Prioritize tasks to allocate your resources effectively. You'll probably have to juggle multiple projects as a product manager. You can't work on them all at once, so work on your prioritization skills. Make a list of all your tasks and the deadline for each. Then rank each one in order of importance. Focus your energy on tasks with close deadlines or high-value, and let your team members start working on more distant projects.
   • Remember that delegating duties is a big part of prioritization. Have team members handle lower-priority tasks so you can focus on the more important ones.
   • If you have trouble staying organized, try using some apps or digital tools to remind you of your tasks.
3. Anticipate problems that you might encounter during a project. Strategic thinking is a big part of managing projects. This means making long-term calculations on what challenges a project might run into before it's complete. Insert any of these concerns into your reports so all the stakeholders are informed. As the product manager, it's also up to you to suggest how you can overcome problems.
   • For example, if you're planning a construction project, a potential problem is the cost of materials increasing before the job is complete. Suggest planning for this by buying materials in bulk now and storing them for the project.
   • Know who to inform of any problems. If you do experience a delay, your company may not want the customer knowing about it right away. Inform your own boss first, and see how they want to proceed.
4. Appreciate budgets and time constraints. Product managers usually don't have much control over the resources at their disposal. Time and money are the biggest challenges for product managers, so be prepared to work within both constraints. Understand that your customers want results within a reasonable time frame and cost. Be prepared to deliver on these expectations.
   • Foster a skill for cutting costs or handling tasks in the most cost-effective way possible. Your employers and customers will appreciate this.
   • Remember to set realistic deadlines for your projects. If you're too ambitious and set a date that doesn't give you much time, you could blow the deadline and disappoint customers.
   • Also tell a customer or boss if an expectation is unrealistic. Don't agree to a low budget and then realize later on that it's not enough.

Analyzing Data

1. Familiarize yourself with budgets, sales reports, metrics, and other data templates. While product managers aren't statisticians, they still work with a lot of data. If you have data analysis skills, you'll be in a good position to succeed. If you can demonstrate that you're skilled at analyzing these statistics, you have a high chance of succeeding at your job.
   • If you're still in college, try taking a few statistics classes to hone your data analysis skills. If you've already graduated, try earning a statistics certificate or completing an online program.
   • Remember that data analysis isn't just about reading the data. You also have to use that data to draw conclusions. For example, if a report tells you that sales are down, then use that data to propose how you'd raise them next quarter.
2. Learn how to build and work with Make-a-Spreadsheet-in-Excel. Spreadsheet programs are part of almost every manager's daily life. Become proficient with spreadsheet programs to accurately organize and digest information. Learn how to view and assess spreadsheets, as well as make your own. This will be a big help in analyzing all the data you'll encounter.
   • There are many free videos online that teach you how to work Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet programs. These lessons can make you pro without spending any money or leaving your home.
3. Make accurate budget estimates. Working with budgets is one of the most important parts of a product manager's job. Learn about the standard equipment, material, and labor costs for the industry you work in to develop accurate budget estimates. Plug all of this information into a spreadsheet so your stakeholders can review the information clearly.
   • If a client or your boss has a budget expectation that isn't realistic, make sure you tell them. If you try to do a large job with a sub-par budget, you might not be able to complete it.
   • Remember that a client may still want a job done with a low budget. As a manager rather than the CEO, you probably have little say over whether a project starts or what the budget will be. Work on doing your best within budget constraints.

Being a Team Leader

1. Be a hard worker to set an example for your team. Being a leader is a major part of being a product manager, so always demonstrate that you're worthy of leadership. Command respect by working hard and setting the standard for your team. If you slack off and let others do the hard work, your team won't respect you as their leader.
   • Don't push off unpleasant tasks onto lower employees. Be willing to handle those tasks the same as all the other team members.
2. Assign team members to tasks they're most-suited for. This is an important leadership skill. All of your team members will have different skill sets and qualifications. Balance these skills to the tasks at hand. Use your judgement to assign team members to the best tasks for them.
   • For example, don't expect a statistician to be able to write code. Assign them to a data analysis role instead.
3. Treat all of your team members equally. Don't play favorites or target some team members. This hurts group cohesion and your project will not go smoothly. Treat everyone equally and assign fair tasks to all team members. Don't let anyone feel like they aren't an important part of the team.
   • For example, don't always give unpleasant jobs to the same employee. They'll feel targeted and like they're not part of the team.
   • This works the other way as well. Don't always give the best jobs to one employee. The team will see that this person is your favorite and end up resenting both of you.
   • Also be prepared to defend or advocate for your team members if one is being treated unfairly. If an executive is making harsh criticisms of someone, intervene and say that the executive isn't being fair. Take responsibility for mistakes if you have to. This is part of your responsibility as a manager.

Advancing Your Career

1. Take some engineering or computer science classes for technical knowledge. Although a product manager isn't an engineer or programmer, you'll be much better-equipped to manage projects if you understand technical feasibility. With this background knowledge, you'll be able to communicate with the engineers on your team more effectively and avoid having unrealistic expectations for the project.
   • If you didn't take any of these classes in college, there are still many ways to get the knowledge. Online programs like Udemy offer tons of classes on many topics. You can complete one of these programs for additional knowledge.
2. Read books about management to learn the right terminology. While reading books doesn't give you additional certifications to put on your resume, this knowledge will help you immensely in landing a job. You'll be able to use language and terms that product managers would use, which will impress interviewers and potential employers. Demonstrating this knowledge can be the difference between landing a job or not.
   • Try to find out what books business schools assign in their management classes. Then check these books out to get the information that business students are learning.
   • There are also blogs about management that would be helpful. Try reading blogs from business schools to increase your knowledge.
3. Get an undergraduate degree in business or management. While not a requirement, many product managers study business or management in college. Employers know that applicants with these degrees have received an education in business and are qualified for product management roles.
   • Most colleges offer some type of business degree. You probably don't have to go to an expensive private school for the right education.
   • If you don't major in business, then try to take some business classes or do internships in the field. These will help you find a job later on.
4. Pursue an MBA for more certifications. Earning a master's degree in business gives you even more knowledge of running a team, working with stakeholders, and sticking to budgets and deadlines. Consider attending graduate school for an MBA to increase your qualifications and chances of landing a job.
   • You don't need an undergraduate degree in business to get an MBA. Getting a bachelor's degree in a different field and then getting an MBA is a great way to make yourself stand out from other job applicants.
   • If you have to work while going to school, see if business schools near you offer night classes so you can earn your degree while working.
5. Apply to work for companies that match your values and skills. Having the knowledge to be a product manager is a large part of the job, but finding the right company to work at is important as well. Investigate the companies that post jobs and see which ones align with your expertise and interests. Apply to companies that match your skills and values for a more fulfilling career.
   • The job will be easier if you find a field you're passionate about. If you love video games, for example, apply to work for a game developer.
   • Consider whether you want to work for a mature company or a startup. At a startup, you'll likely have more freedom, but less resources at your disposal. A larger company might pay more and give you larger budgets, but you'll have to work within a more rigid structure. Weigh these differences to find the right position.
   • Remember that you might need to work a few jobs before finding your ideal position. This is normal, so don't be afraid to switch jobs.

References

See also

• Reduce Everyday Distractions
• Always Be on the Go
• Stay Productive in the Summer
• Be Productive As a Teen
• Be Busy and Productive when You Don't Work
• Productively Use Your Devices
• Be Messy and Productive
• Be Creatively Productive
• Be a Productive Individual
• Stop Procrastinating on the Internet

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• Become a Manager