What is it?

Although it plays a crucial role in product development teams, product management hasn't been a formalized profession in digital businesses for very long. It has evolved over time as agile product development approaches have become more popular. Today, the term "product management" refers to a position within a product development team that is dedicated to carrying out the product lifecycle successfully. 

Product managers are typically in charge of implementing product management principles which involves, presenting and positioning fresh concepts for the creation of products and features, collaborating with the design and engineering teams to create the product & ensuring that every product satisfies the demands of the intended consumer or client. 

It's important to note that project management differs from product management in that the latter is more concerned with how each effort is organized and resourced than it is with establishing the overall product vision.

Why is it important? 

New products and user experiences are launched with the help of product managers. They function as the link between engineering teams, business leaders, and UX or user experience teams. They also act as the glue that binds these groups' shared product visions. 

Most importantly, product managers explain the product strategy, define the success of each product, and show how it will affect the consumer and the company's objectives. Teams would struggle to navigate the diverse interests that exist across both large and small enterprises without the voice of a product owner. 

What is it you do when you work in this domain?

The final consumer of a PM's product is one of their main priorities. Consequently, a large portion of a product manager's time is spent performing and reviewing both user and market research, either alone or in collaboration with specialized research teams, depending on the size of their firm. PMs must assess the needs of the client and the product's fit with the market, then argue that these facts be included in the company's prioritizing conversations. To make a new product successful, it is essential to collect user feedback. 

PMs assist in defining the organization's product roadmap after completing research, which effectively outlines the timeline for when and how each feature or product will be deployed. Each new product build will be divided, in collaboration with the project management teams, into several incremental phases that will be carried out over a certain length of time, usually divided into quarters. PMs ensure that the technical team they collaborate with maintains a backlog of ideas, assigns the appropriate priorities to them, and is aware of all the conditions and procedures necessary to realize the product's vision.

PMs oversee the testing of the new feature after the development process is complete, frequently by setting up trials and iterations. Large projects can occasionally be divided into smaller parts, like a "beta" launch. PMs evaluate the effectiveness of each step and collaborating with engineers to resolve any problems that surface during testing. 

The product manager is often in charge of informing company leadership of the accomplishments or shortcomings of the product once a new feature is live and in front of actual customers or users. To make sure that the product lives up to the standards established during the research process, they use a variety of various analytics tools and reports. 

How do you start a career in this domain? 

A job in product management can suit a wide range of educational backgrounds and skill sets. It is an excellent alternative for people who are interested in technology but unsure of how to apply their prior skills to a tech career because there is no set path to becoming a PM. Empathy for your user is the most crucial quality for a PM to possess. Start focusing on the features of the products you use daily that both thrill and annoy you. What are the product's shortcomings in your opinion, and how could they be improved? Your success as a product manager depends on having this mindset.

At their core, great product managers are problem solvers for both their organization and their users. Include examples of how you assisted in solving challenging issues in previous positions and experiences, along with an explanation of why these issues were crucial to resolving. They must be well structured because a PM's daily expectations can change. Create a system of prioritization for the tasks you need to do and start this practice early. Recognize why you value one item over another, then hold to that belief. A successful product launch can be made or broken by effective prioritization skills. 

A product manager needs to be a leader because you will own the product vision and working with a team to accomplish goals. You can volunteer at a company, apply for internships, and, most importantly, don't be afraid to challenge yourself if you want to develop this ability. PMs must be skilled decision-makers, especially under time constraints. 

Product managers are essential in making sure new products are successful for both their company and their consumers since they work at the nexus of business and technology executives. Product management could be a very fulfilling career choice for those who have a passion for working in a team, strategic thinking, and producing amazing experiences for people.  One can get a Product Management Certification in a Product Management course such as Coursera Product Management, Udemy Product Management, CII Product Management, etc.