Product manager

What is a product manager?

A product manager is a person responsible for identifying and addressing the problems of a certain product in relation to the customer’s needs. They have a keen eye for recognizing the product success rate. 

With leadership skills, product managers handle a team in charge of innovation and improvements of the product, ensuring that it aligns with the company’s goals and objectives. 

Product managers are ranked third on Glassdoor’s 2021 list of the best jobs in America. 

Product manager qualities

Product managers have the ability to work at the cross intersection of customer service, customer experience, and product development. The product manager plays a significant role in organizational success. 

Although the product manager’s role seems to handle every task to achieve a successful product, they also seek assistance and work with diverse specialists such as developers, designers, engineers, and many more. 

Product managers rely on communication with different people. They deal with users, leaders, and stakeholders to understand everyone’s needs and expectations. They also understand the key priorities, making the tough decision to find the right balance between customers’ experience and business goals. 

The role of the product manager

The core responsibilities of a product manager seem to be broad, but they can be broken down into specific areas. It may vary from company to company, but they serve as a strategist to achieve product success aligned with company goals.  

Analyze and forecast the current market conditions

Product managers need to conduct in-depth research skills to understand the user and market. Through research, the product manager will understand the consumer’s demands and gain insight into how to compete in the industry. 

Beyond that, product managers are on the lookout for problems or concerns that might arise in the product development stage. 

Set the systematic plan, strategies, and procedures

Product managers are also responsible for setting the vision and direction for the product. Plans must include areas that need to prioritize to achieve the product goals. 

A product roadmap is what product managers rely upon. It ensures that the team is invested and sees the same vision in product success. 

Define the product value and product line

Deciding and creating the notable features of the product is the core function of a product manager. Through strategic goals, managers will prioritize creating key features that will deliver value to the product in the market. 

Product marketing 

Product managers might also work closely with product marketing managers. They somehow complement each other’s responsibilities as they handle sales and marketing. 

In collaboration with product marketing managers, the goal is to see through the product development stage. That said, product managers are able to build effective strategies for keeping the product in place for the market. 

Although there are many key responsibilities of a product manager, it is important to note their core function is to help the business grow, as well as its customers.