Instagram is often praised for its UX design which has made it a hit among youngsters. However, there are quite a few UX design principles / standards that Instagram breaks regularly. Is this something that differentiates Instagram from the rest or is this a missed opportunity by Instagram? In this video. we discuss the 5 User Experience design that Instagram does wrong.
Author Archives: admin
Lord Krishna – The best Product Manager ever
There is a lot to be learned about Product management from Lord Krishna and his life. Here is a quick video drawing comparisons between Lord Krishna and a product manager.
How to break into Product Management?
Product management has still not gone mainstream yet. A lot of us (including myself) are not even aware of this profession until we come across a product manager. And by the time we get to know, understand and fall in love with product management, it might already have been too late. We might have taken a different course during graduation or already started our career in a different domain. And thus, many of us are left wondering “How to break into Product Management?”. In this video, we try to provide a clear pathway for the same.
What if the Avengers were Product Manager?
A Product Manager has one of the most broadest and vaguest job description ever. There are product managers with completely different set of skills and still equally successful. There are companies where product managers are just a “cog in the wheel” and then there are companies where product managers are “the wheel”. We, as product managers, often like to think of ourselves as “the CEO of the Product” or “the one wearing multiple hats” and many other similar buzzwords. In our own world, we are nothing less than a superhero. In this video, we take this fantasy a step forward and try to figure out “What if the Avengers were Product Manager?”
Top 5 Product management tools every Product Manager must be good at
In the current digital and remote working age, we are increasingly reliant on a lot of digital tools to get our job done. Companies are now migrating to digital solutions for processes that have been manual for decades. With time, these tools have evolved from just being a helping hand to an absolute must in their field. Different teams have their own unique requirements and thus their own set of favourite tools. Here is a quick video explaining the top 5 product management tools that every Product Manager must be good at.
Top 10 Product Management Skills that every Product Manager must have
What does it take to be a good Product Manager? Product Management as a domain is still evolving and is one of the few domains which has not yet been transformed into an exact science. When it comes to Product Management, there is no general consensus on a ‘leader’ of the domain. And thus, there are no role models / benchmarks for aspiring Product Managers to follow and learn from. Here is a quick video explaining the top 10 Product Management skills that every Product Manager must have (in no specific order).
How to write a PRD (with examples)?
In product management world, a Product requirements document (PRD) is nothing less than a Bible. It is the Product, Design and Tech teams’ go to document for anything related to the product. There is no fixed standard template for a PRD. However, there are a few key components that every PRD must must have. Here is a short video explaining the same.
How to explain Product Management to your parents?
Let’s be honest, as a product manager, you find yourself in a really tough spot when your friends and family ask you that dreaded question – “So, what does a product manager do?”. Here is my attempt in the form of a short video to help fellow product managers explain their job to the world.
A Day in the Life of a Product Manager
Ever wondered what a day in the life of a product manager looks like? Imagine juggling, but instead of balls, you’re keeping a myriad of tasks like strategic planning, team coordination, and execution in the air. In the relatively new and ever-evolving world of product management, each day is a surprise package of challenges and opportunities. For aspiring product managers, buckle up for a sneak peek into what really goes on in the daily hustle of a product manager. And for the uninitiated, let’s shed some light on this creature called the ‘product manager’ and unravel what they actually do beyond those mysterious, closed conference room meetings. So, let’s get started.
1. Writing
The art of writing can very well be called “the backbone of Product Management” as product managers do a lot of writing. I mean a lot. Writing is not just a task, it’s an essential tool for communication, clarity, and strategy. It encompasses a range of activities, each serving it’s own unique purpose. Some of the most common examples of different kind of writings done by a product manager are –
Documenting Ideas and Plans – These are simple & short form writing, including activities like jotting down spontaneous thoughts, taking meeting notes, detailing feature concepts, or sketching initial plans.
Product Requirement Documents (PRDs) – PRDs are the blueprint of a product’s vision and acts as a guide for design and engineering teams, ensuring everyone works towards a unified goal. Here is a detailed explanation of “Key components of a Product Requirements Document (PRD) & how to write one?”
Roadmap Development – A clear roadmap, like a 3-month or 6-month plan, not only guides the internal team but also helps in setting expectations with stakeholders and aligning with broader business objectives.
Updating Project Management Tools – As a product manager, you would be required to regularly keep updating project management platforms like JIRA. Writing effective tickets or updates requires clarity and precision, ensuring that tasks are understandable and actionable.
Emails, Messages, Presentations & other Communications – An idea is nothing if it can’t be communicated well to the concerned stakeholders. From crafting detailed emails to preparing presentation decks, the ability to convey complex product concepts in an easily digestible format is a valuable skill for a product manager.
Reflective Writing – Beyond external communication, writing is also a tool for reflection and self-improvement. Keeping a journal or writing retrospective reports can provide insights into what worked well, what didn’t, and how processes can be improved.
2. Regular Updates
Staying updated and keeping others informed is crucial. This involves seeking updates from design, engineering, analytics etc. teams while updating other internal teams like sales, marketing, and fellow product managers. Through these regular updates, a product manager tries to monitor progress, maintain transparency, identify and address challenges swiftly, adjust strategies and thereby ensures that everyone involved is moving in the same direction.
The Art of Asking and Giving Updates
Asking for Updates – This involves not only inquiring about progress but also understanding team morale and any support the team might need. It’s about creating an environment where teams feel comfortable sharing successes as well as concerns.
Giving Updates – When giving updates, especially to stakeholders or non-technical teams, it’s crucial to translate the progress and challenges into a context that is relevant and understandable for them. This might mean highlighting how specific features will address customer needs or how delays might impact the market launch.
3. Meetings
A day in the life of a product manager is filled with meetings and most of the product managers suffer from the “no free slot on calendar” syndrome. Whether it’s Scrum, daily standups, monthly product reviews or some other meeting with a fancy name, these gatherings are vital for collaboration, strategic decision-making and problem-solving. They are not just calendar events, they are opportunities to align teams, drive progress, and foster a shared vision.
However, the value of meetings is not just in their occurrence but in their execution and relevance. Effective meetings can propel a project forward, while poorly managed ones can hinder progress and dampen team morale. Here are some dos and don’ts for effective meeting management –
Set a Clear Agenda – Always define the purpose of the meeting in the invite and include a clear agenda. If there are pre-reads or documents required, share them in advance to ensure productive discussions.
Documentation and Follow-ups – Taking notes during meetings and promptly sharing them with attendees helps in keeping track of decisions made and action items. This practice aids in accountability and follow-up.
Respect Time and Scheduling – Avoid scheduling meetings at short notice. Respect the time of your team members by planning ahead and giving them ample time to prepare.
Avoid Excessive Meetings – Too many meetings lead to meeting fatigue and reduced team morale. If the meeting objective can be achieved through an email or a quick message, then please limit it to that only.
4. Analytics
A product manager spends a significant part of the day on analyzing product metrics. The goal is to get some insights on user behavior, product performance and market trends. This involves tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) like daily active users (DAU), engagement rates, user retention, conversion metrics etc. to understand how users interact with the product and where improvements can be made. For e.g.- if data reveals a high drop-off rate at a specific point in the app, a product manager usually investigates the funnel by applying various filters like user type (paid or free, new or returning), platform (app or web), source (organic traffic or marketing traffic) etc. and tries to fix the issue. Please note that this analysis doesn’t always need to be done with some sophisticated analytics software but can very well be done with the good old excel sheet analysis.
Additionally, analytics supports a data-driven culture within the product team, ensuring that decisions are based on factual user data and trends, rather than assumptions. This approach not only streamlines the product development process but also aligns it closely with the user’s needs and market demand, paving the way for the product’s success.
5. Research
Research is a fundamental aspect of product management, underpinning the development of informed, data-driven strategies. Research in product management is about gathering and synthesizing information from multiple sources to make well-informed decisions and this enables a product manager to develop products that truly resonate with their target audience and stay competitive in the market. For a product manager, research involves a blend of market analysis, competitor evaluation, user research and staying abreast of industry trends.
Market and Competitor Analysis – Understanding the market landscape is crucial. This includes analyzing competitor products, market trends, and customer preferences. Tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs can be used for competitor website analysis, while platforms like Nielsen provide market insights. For example, identifying a gap in a competitor’s product can reveal opportunities for differentiation.
User Research – Engaging directly with users through surveys, interviews, or focus groups is invaluable. This primary research provides firsthand insights into user needs, pain points, and feedback on existing products.
Staying Informed on Industry Trends – Keeping up to date with the latest trends in the industry is essential for forward-thinking product development. This could involve subscribing to industry publications, attending webinars and conferences, or participating in online forums and communities relevant to the product domain and of course, by subscribing to “Product is Life” YouTube channel.
To conclude, the life of a product manager is multifaceted and dynamic. Balancing these diverse responsibilities requires skill, adaptability, and a keen understanding of the product landscape. Each day in the life of a product manager is a blend of strategic thinking, detailed execution, and constant learning, making it a challenging yet rewarding role in the corporate world. As the field continues to evolve, so will the role of the product manager, adapting to new challenges and opportunities in the digital age.
Top 5 Product Management Trends for 2024
As we step into 2024, the landscape of product management is undergoing a transformative shift. Here we explore the top five product management trends that will reshape this dynamic field, providing insights for product managers to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving industry.
1. The Rise of AI in Product Management
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into product management is going to be a defining trend in 2024, revolutionizing how product teams operate and deliver value to users.
Generative AI goes mainstream
AI’s integration into product management is no longer a futuristic concept. With the advancement of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, product teams are enhancing user experiences and setting new standards in software interaction. AI, particularly generative models, are going to be integrated into a wide range of products, enhancing user experiences and expectations. For example, AI can now generate creative content, offer predictive text in communication apps, or provide intelligent assistance in various software applications.
AI Automation in Product Management
AI already has and will continue to automate many routine and time-consuming tasks within product management, allowing product managers to focus on strategic areas and innovation. AI-powered tools offer wide range of capabilities from data analysis to market research to even some aspects of product design like decision-making and user experience personalization. By leveraging AI for data analysis and prediction, product managers will be able to more informed decisions. Further, AI will streamline the documentation process by drafting product requirement documents or automating report generation.
In addition to some of the traditional tools that a Product Manager must be good at, here are the top 5 AI Tools for Product Managers:
- Project Management – Asana, Jira, Trello
- Data Analytics & Marketing – Mixpanel, Amplitude
- Research and Documentation – ChatGPT, Google Bard
- Design and Wireframing – Visily AI, Uizard
- Support & CRM – Zeda.io, Zendesk, Freshdesk, Salesforce
Please note that there are a much much more number of AI tools available out there but these are just the few we have tried or read about.
2. Customization and Personalization through Data Analytics
Data analytics is actually nothing new and has already been revolutionizing product management by enabling personalized user experiences. But with AI support, the scale and impact of data analytics is going to increase exponentially. In 2024, customization and personalization through data analytics will become a cornerstone in product management. By analyzing user behavior, preferences, and interactions, AI-driven data analytics tools can create personalized user experiences. These tools will now go even one step further and start predicting user needs and preferences, allowing companies to proactively offer personalized content, products, or services. This is what will truly differentiate machine learning from artificial intelligence.
AI-driven data analytics has led to remarkable personalization in various products and services. Here are some more examples illustrating this trend:
- Netflix: Netflix uses AI-driven algorithms to analyse viewing habits and preferences and then suggest movies and TV shows tailored to individual tastes, leading to a highly personalized viewing experience.
- Amazon: Amazon employs AI to analyse customer purchase history, browsing patterns, and ratings. This enables them to suggest products that customers are more likely to be interested in, thereby enhancing the shopping experience.
- Google Maps: AI in Google Maps analyses travel patterns, search history, and location data to offer personalized route suggestions, traffic updates, and even restaurant recommendations.
- Grammarly: Grammarly’s AI-driven writing assistant personalizes suggestions for grammar, tone, and style based on the individual writing patterns and preferences of the user, making it a unique tool for each person.
- Duolingo: Duolingo uses AI to adapt its lessons to the learning style and pace of each user, providing a personalized learning path that optimizes their language acquisition process.
These examples demonstrate how AI-driven data analytics has become integral in creating personalized experiences across various industries, catering to the unique preferences and behaviours of individual users. With recent advancements in AI this personalization is going to get more sophisticated across various fields.
3. Smaller and More Effective Teams
The economic landscape, especially post-pandemic, has led many companies to reevaluate their workforce strategies. With the tech industry experiencing mass layoffs and hiring slowdowns, organizations have had to adapt by creating smaller but more agile teams. 2024 sees a trend towards smaller, more agile product teams, driven by economic challenges and a shift in work dynamics, including remote working. These compact teams are proving to be more efficient, fostering faster decision-making and more focused product development. Advancements in technology, particularly in collaboration and project management tools, have significantly supported the functioning of smaller teams. Tools like Slack, Asana, and Trello facilitate seamless communication and project tracking, enabling teams to stay connected and organized despite their size.
Smaller teams are also a response to cost-cutting measures, as organizations strive to maintain productivity with fewer resources.
The Benefits of Smaller Teams
- Increased Flexibility and Agility: With fewer members, teams can pivot and adapt to changes more quickly, an essential trait in the fast-paced technology sector.
- Enhanced Collaboration and Communication: Smaller teams often experience better communication dynamics, leading to more cohesive and aligned efforts.
- Quicker Decision Making: With fewer people involved, decision-making processes tend to be faster and more efficient, accelerating the product development lifecycle.
- Greater Ownership and Responsibility: Team members in smaller groups often have a clearer understanding of their roles and are more invested in the success of the project.
The Challenges of Smaller Teams
- Increased Workload: Each team member might have a broader range of responsibilities, which can be demanding.
- Skill Gaps: Smaller teams might lack certain specialized skills that larger teams possess.
Implementing effective time management and prioritization strategies can help manage workload efficiently. In addition, cross-training and upskilling become will be crucial, allowing team members to acquire a diverse set of skills to cover various aspects of product management. This also leads to our next trend of the evolution of a Product manager.
4. The Evolving Role of the Product Manager
Product managers are now expected to possess a diverse skill set, extending beyond traditional boundaries. In 2024, the role of the product manager is more dynamic and multifaceted than ever before, reflecting the fast-paced and continuously evolving tech landscape.
- Beyond Core Product Management: The modern product manager’s role goes beyond traditional boundaries of managing the product lifecycle. It now includes elements of UX design, marketing, data analytics, and even customer success.
- Collaboration Across Departments: With teams becoming smaller and more integrated, product managers often find themselves working closely with marketing, sales, and customer support teams. This requires a good understanding of these domains to ensure coherent strategy and execution.
- Technical Acumen: Product managers are increasingly expected to have a strong grasp of the technical aspects of their products. This doesn’t mean they need to be experts in coding, but a solid understanding of the technology stack and the capabilities and limitations it brings is crucial.
- Adapting to New Technologies: As new technologies emerge, product managers need to stay informed and competent in their use. This might include AI tools, data analytics software, and modern project management platforms.
- Lifelong Learning: Continuous learning is key, whether through formal education, online courses, or on-the-job training. This helps product managers stay relevant and effective in their roles.
5.Prioritizing Cybersecurity and Ethical Product Development
In 2024, with technological advancements, the focus on cybersecurity and ethical considerations in product development has become more critical than ever before. This is driven by the increasing digitization of products and services, the prevalence of data breaches, and a growing awareness of ethical implications in technology.
Cybersecurity in Product Management
Product managers must integrate robust security measures at every product development stage, from ideation to the very last stages of even shutting down a product, to protect user data and maintain trust.
- Security by Design: Cybersecurity is no longer an afterthought but an integral part of the product design process. This approach ensures that products are built with security measures from the ground up.
- Risk Assessment and Management: Regular risk assessments are vital to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities. This includes vulnerability scanning, threat modelling, and implementing appropriate security protocols.
- Compliance with Data Protection Regulations: With stringent data protection laws like GDPR and CCPA, product managers must ensure their products comply with these regulations to avoid legal repercussions and build trust with users.
Ethical Considerations in Product Management
- Data Privacy and Consent: Product managers would need to be more considerate of respecting user privacy and ensuring that data is collected and used with consent. This includes clear privacy policies and user controls over their data.
- Inclusivity and Accessibility: Products should be designed with inclusivity in mind, ensuring accessibility for all users, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds.
- Transparency in AI and Algorithms: With the rise of AI, there’s a need for transparency in how algorithms make decisions, especially to avoid biases and ensure fair treatment of all users.
The pace at which the technological landscape is evolving is unprecedented and there will be many more trends that will emerge in the future. Let us know in the comments your thoughts on the above trends or any other upcoming trend in the field of product management.