What is product management, and why is it important?

Let’s watch a video where Mai Nakane talks about the importance of product management in today’s context. Mai is the Director of Technical Product Management at Galvanize, a billion-dollar US software-as-a-service (SaaS) company that creates and sells governance, risk, and compliance management solutions. Mai is responsible for leading product managers across ten software development teams to plan, design, and develop all of Galvanize’s products within its software solution stack – executing many successful research and development projects which involve great complexity and large teams.

Defining product management and what it entails is a challenge. The answers seem to change depending on who you speak to: ‘The marketing department thinks that as a product manager you are there to help create better competitor product versions. The sales team expects you to help close business deals by creating unique product features on a client-to-client basis, and the rest of the company sees you as a place where they can leave ideas (good or bad) that cross their minds.’ [1]

As a product manager, your focus is on building products that meet and exceed consumer demands and expectations.

Now that you’ve watched the video, answer these two questions:

1. Explain why you agree or disagree with Mai’s idea on why product management is strategically important for a company.
2. Research a product management trend for your current year, and explain what product or service you would focus on as a product manager if you had a team at your disposal.

Post your response to the discussion forum. Respond to at least one of your peers’ ideas and explain why you agree or disagree with it.

References

1. Introduction to the Product Management Process; Prodpad; n.d. Available from: https://www.prodpad.com/resources/guides/product-management-process