Product Management involves guiding teams through ambiguity, testing assumptions, and adapting to new information, unlike developers.
There usually isn’t a structured onboarding process in place for product managers. PMs are expected to “just figure it out," which can leave them feeling lost and overwhelmed.
Having someone who’s been there before to help guide you is very essential as it provides insight into how to handle difficult situations, navigate company politics, and give feedback on decisions.
As a PM, shifting from a “build it right” mindset to a “build the right thing” mindset is necessary, focusing on understanding the customer, the market and the business goals, and aligning the product vision to these elements.
Before anything, it’s important to understand the organizational structure, identify key stakeholders and decision-makers, and ensure alignment with various departments.
Relationship management with each group, understanding their needs, and concerns can make a massive difference when it comes to getting things done. Having allies that understand and support the product decisions is necessary.
The key to succeeding as a PM is learning how to balance business strategy, customer needs, and technical feasibility.
By embracing ambiguity, learning from others, and shifting your mindset, you can make the transition into Product Management smoothly and successfully.
The skills you gained as a developer are essential, but the ability to balance business strategy, customer needs, and technical feasibility is critical for Product Managers to deliver products that add value to users and the business.
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