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A Product Manager is absolutely not similar to a Project Manager. These are two completely different jobs and skill sets. While a common misconception, Product
by sologoub 13y ago
A Product Manager is absolutely not similar to a Project Manager. These are two completely different jobs and skill sets.
While a common misconception, Product managers are charged with knowing the market/users/competition and driving the product to commercial success, as much as a development success.
Project/program managers focus on specific delivery.
- ssharp 13y agoLike most other job titles involving the web, I think "Product Manager" can mean different things to different companies. Coming from the traditional marketing definition of the role, a product manager is typically the "CEO" of the product and is in charge of aligning the product with the market. In tech, particularly with smaller companies and startups, the need to wear many hats, and the unique issues with project management in relation to software development, has often times seen the product manager also take on project management duties. This may be a mistake or may be a requirement, depending on the resources of the company, but I largely agree with the structure of having both a product manager and a program manager and not blending the two.
- sologoub 13y agoAchieving commercial success often means managing delivery as well, but saying the two roles are equivalent is a mistake. Someone who is a true product manager, can usually pickup project management duties. The inverse is not true. I have seen many times someone with a project management background trying to get into product management without shifting the attitude or thinking the two are one and the same, only to drive developers nuts and fail to deliver good products.