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As a PM I sometimes get asked a question, typically by Engineering, and I think the ability to answer this question well is an embodiment of the role. It can ta

As a PM I sometimes get asked a question, typically by Engineering, and I think the ability to answer this question well is an embodiment of the role. It can take different forms but it's basically: "Why?" Why build X over Y? Why this feature, this way, instead of another way? Why now, instead of later? Why should I build it, and not her? Answering this well requires a) ability to communicate convincingly, b) evidence, typically through user data, research, competitor analysis, etc., c) authority in your space, d) ability to translate business requirements into technical speak, and vice versa, and e) respect from the team you're working with.

paledot 6y ago
Yes, very much so. I need a PO who can answer that question, and I judge the competence of a PO based on their ability to do so. I don't care about the requirements or feature list you drew up until you can explain to me what problem you're trying to solve. It's vital both from a product polish standpoint and a personal satisfaction standpoint, to be able to visualize a real person using this thing to solve real-life problems at the end of the process.
necovek 6y ago
I am surprised it's your (PM's) job to decide who should be building something ("why should I build it, and not her").
- Fordec 6y ago
  It depends on the org. Depending on company size, the Product Manger and the Project Manager can be the same person.
  - mkl 6y ago
    "the Product Manger and the Project Manager can be the same person" Depending on how many typos you have there, definitely! What did you mean?
  - necovek 6y ago
    Sure, but then it's still not the Product Manager doing it. This is a discussion of what a particular role is in charge of, the fact that a single person might do multiple roles does not define the role under discussion imo.
- nitrogen 6y ago
  As an engineer I find it very frustrating when the PM takes that role instead of the EM or the team via consensus.
- andor 6y ago
  I read this as: why should it be in product A (which we are working on) and not in product B (which someone else is building)?
  - necovek 6y ago
    On re-reading, you are likely right. Thanks for pointing it out, though it could have been worded slightly better.

paledot 6y ago

Yes, very much so. I need a PO who can answer that question, and I judge the competence of a PO based on their ability to do so. I don't care about the requirements or feature list you drew up until you can explain to me what problem you're trying to solve. It's vital both from a product polish standpoint and a personal satisfaction standpoint, to be able to visualize a real person using this thing to solve real-life problems at the end of the process.

necovek 6y ago

I am surprised it's your (PM's) job to decide who should be building something ("why should I build it, and not her").

Fordec 6y ago
It depends on the org. Depending on company size, the Product Manger and the Project Manager can be the same person.
- mkl 6y ago
  "the Product Manger and the Project Manager can be the same person" Depending on how many typos you have there, definitely! What did you mean?
- necovek 6y ago
  Sure, but then it's still not the Product Manager doing it. This is a discussion of what a particular role is in charge of, the fact that a single person might do multiple roles does not define the role under discussion imo.
nitrogen 6y ago
As an engineer I find it very frustrating when the PM takes that role instead of the EM or the team via consensus.
andor 6y ago
I read this as: why should it be in product A (which we are working on) and not in product B (which someone else is building)?
- necovek 6y ago
  On re-reading, you are likely right. Thanks for pointing it out, though it could have been worded slightly better.