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.