What is IT-Product Management?
If you have ever booked an Airbnb, bought something from Amazon, or even scheduled a meeting through your Google Calendar, then you have encountered some of the most innovative products in the tech world today. We can thank an efficient product management process for the convenience that these digital products have brought to our lives. If it weren't for an efficient product development lifecycle, we wouldn't have access to one-click purchasing, on-demand video streaming or millions of alternative living accommodations that we enjoy today.
Product management is the act of strategically guiding the development, introduction, and ongoing support of a company's products. It all comes down to the product manager who oversees the development of a company’s new products from start to finish.
What are product managers and why are they so important in today’s tech world? Product managers are in charge of developing products that help a business succeed in various ways. Product managers need to have a wide knowledge of sales, marketing, engineering and product practices in order to be successful.
The day-to-day responsibilities of a product manager vary depending on the size of the company, its resources and goals. A product manager at a smaller company could also be the lead engineer or could have to take on many other tasks usually delegated to a whole cross-functional team. Product managers at large companies have the responsibility of overseeing groups of engineers, data scientists, marketers, and other product team members who work together to execute the company's next big idea.
The day-to-day tasks of a product manager can vary, but there are still some shared responsibilities:
Strategy:
As product managers have a large role in the overall strategy of each product, and therefore the company, they must keep up to date with industry and technology trends. This way, they can create new digital products. Product managers are responsible for mapping out a new product's vision, strategizing execution and roadmapping the effort into the company's plans.
Project Management:
The product manager is responsible for coordinating the efforts of the engineering, marketing and other product team members to ensure the timely completion of tasks. They have to stay up-to-date on the progress of a product, from its beginnings to its release and post-launch advertising campaigns.
Customer Advocacy:
The customer is always right is a phrase that definitely applies to the job of a product manager. A product is more likely to succeed when there is customer demand for it. The product manager and product marketing team should be in constant communication with their customers to gauge what they need, identify what is working (or not working) for them, and determine how to improve current offerings. Product managers are responsible for the success of new product launches by making sure the customer is always considered.
