Full suite
Product business plan or model
Feature and bug tracking
Roadmap planning and resource allocation
Wireframing
High fidelity prototyping
I was asked to speak about product management at the SF Uncubed event a couple weeks ago. I will share some of the technical sides of product management (specifically with regards to tools) in a different post, so this one's a little more on the fluffy side. Here are a few thoughts from the hour-long talk I gave.
A product manager is the person sitting at the intersection of business and technology, the one who precisely understands the why, how, and when behind the product. All companies and teams have their ups and downs. Product managers must bear the privilege and weight of being tied to each team, which means experiencing these emotional roller coasters tenfold. Passion, and a deep love for the product, in addition to being entirely bought into the vision is what carries a PM through the turbulence. A product manager owns the product from conception to market.
A few notes for product managers:
If you're looking for more detailed reading on product management, I highly recommend Inspired by Marty Cagan.
I read this piece by Ben Horowitz back in my undergraduate years, before I had even considered a career in product management. I remember thinking then that the qualities and habits of a good product manager resonated with me, though still not thinking of it as a career option. Some years later, after having worked in the PM world, this document still aligns strongly with my professional and personal opinions. Have a read.