What constitutes a good product manager and when should we hire one?

http://kapuno.com/conversation/aqztofyagnxlk

by cyrusradfar • 13 years ago

8 4 13 years ago

kapuno.com

facorreia• 13 years ago

Great article. I think it explains well the role of a product manager.

It seems the opening sentence should read "Product management" and not "Project management".

Incidentally, I was going to comment on that article but it wants too much permissions on my social accounts.

cyrusradfar2• 13 years ago

LOL, thank you so much @facorreia, such a slip! Kept thinking to myself "product" not "project" and my dyslexia won me over :) Corrected it.

ecubed• 13 years ago

As a student with design and programming experience, what's a good way to get a career started as a product manager?

cyrusradfar2• 13 years ago

I'll answer this, but, honestly, there are a lot of ways. Here's two paths.

//-- //

1. The traditional path

Product management is generally a role that you should take after you have some professional development under you belt. The best product managers I've met were at one time in the engineering/development pit.

That said, the simplest way is to get a job doing design/programming and make sure your employer knows that you'd like to move in that direction and agree that you'll be there in X years. Shadow and work with the PM's at the company.

If they don't move you in to a PM in the time, you can look elsewhere and with a few years of development under your belt you'd have a better chance of getting the management hire.

The key is that you make sure whatever you do, you show leadership and the fact that you're a self-starter.

//--//

2. The startup path

Go work (found) a startup and basically act as the project manager. If the org grows (which is a big if) you'll slowly become that role and hire people around you. If not, you'll have to try again. It's more risky but potentially could get you to a PM role faster.

In the end, I'd recommend you pick up Marty Cagan's "Inspired" http://www.amazon.com/Inspired-Create-Products-Customers-Lov... -- it discusses product management in much more detail.

What constitutes a good product manager and when should we hire one?

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