Nobody told me these
Starting out in the world of product management can be overwhelming. You’re navigating a new industry and trying to make an impact on your team, all while learning on the job.
Fear not, I’ve got you covered with 7 practical tips to help you thrive in your new role. We’ll talk about:
- Learn to prioritize ASAP
- Always pre-plan meetings
- Don’t be afraid to modify the roadmap
- Keep the business impact in mind
- Automate the repetitive tasks
- Take Ownership of your shortcomings
- Keep learning, every day
Learn to prioritize ASAP
As a junior product manager, you’ll quickly realize that you’re juggling multiple tasks at the same time. The key to success is learning how to prioritize these tasks. One way to do this is by using the Eisenhower Matrix.
The matrix separates tasks into four categories based on their urgency and importance: Do First, Schedule, Delegate, and Eliminate.
For instance, if there’s a feature that’s critical for the product’s success, make sure it’s marked as “Do First.”
Always pre-plan meetings
Meetings are an essential part of a product manager’s job. To make them more productive, always pre-plan them. Send out agendas beforehand, set specific objectives, and create a list of action items. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and that the meeting runs smoothly.
A PM is always running on a strict time schedule, don’t overburden yourself with unnecessary meetings, use tools like GMAIL and SLACK to your advantage.
Don’t be afraid to modify the roadmap
As a product manager, you’re responsible for the product roadmap. But it’s essential to remember that the roadmap is not set in stone. Don’t be afraid to modify it if there’s a new feature that needs to be added or if priorities have shifted. Just make sure to communicate these changes with the team and stakeholders.
The market of every product keeps changing and requires consistent analysis. So, don’t be afraid to switch things up and form strategies that you think will help your product growth.
Always keep business impact in mind
Product managers need to understand the business impact of their decisions. One way to do this is by creating a business impact scorecard. This scorecard should evaluate the impact of each feature on the company’s goals and metrics, such as revenue, user acquisition, or retention.
This practice will ensure that you always use the resources effectively and you will have numbers to back up your every single decision. It is a life-saving habit.
Automate the repetitive tasks
Product managers often have to perform repetitive tasks such as sending out status reports or updating Jira tickets. These tasks can be time-consuming and take away from more critical responsibilities.
Don’t spend countless hours on writing release notes, long emails or slack threads. Take the help of AI tools like ChatGPT to automate some of the basic tasks that don’t hold much weight in the grand scheme of things.
Take ownership of your shortcomings
As a junior product manager, you’re bound to make mistakes. But it’s crucial to take ownership of these mistakes and learn from them. If a feature doesn’t perform as expected, investigate why and use that information to improve future features.
If you are not as Tech Savy, own it but keep learning to bridge the gaps. If your design knowledge is surface-level, don’t avoid discussions with the designers, learn from others.
Keep learning, every day
The product management landscape is constantly evolving. To stay ahead of the curve, it’s crucial to keep learning. Attend conferences, read industry blogs, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies.
This will not only improve your skills as a product manager but also make you a valuable asset to your team.
Conclusion
Don’t just read these tips, consciously implement these in your day-to-day workflow and notice the positive changes. I wish someone held my hand and whispered these tips into my ears when I started out.
Hopefully, you’re feeling more confident in your role and excited to put these tips into action. Being a junior product manager is all about learning and growing, so don’t be afraid to make silly mistakes and experiment with new things.
And if all else fails, just remember:
At least we’re not project managers. (Joking, obviously)
