TOP 12 PRODUCT MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORKS — EVERY ASPIRING PRODUCT MANAGER SHOULD KNOW(Part-1)
I believe frameworks are not the silver bullet we hope they are, however, they do help to be structured and help to be sure you think about the major factors.
Below is a collection of my top 12 Frameworks I found useful for new Product Managers.
1. Minimum Viable Product
Credited to Lean Startup author Eric Reis, this framework emphasizes the importance of learning when developing new products. The strategy, which is also called Lean Software Development, calls for the development of a minimal (or bare-bone) product for testing at first. The team builds a solution with minimal functionalities that are enough to solve a problem. This enables the gathering of customer feedback and validation of assumptions to know what can be done better.
2. Product Design: CIRCLES Method by Lewis Lin
In my mind the Circles Method is based on the above storytelling concept. Very similar to DIGS, just adapted for it’s purpose.
The CIRCLES Method™ is a framework on what makes a complete, thoughtful response to any product design. It’s an aid that prevents us from forgetting a step. You can also think of it as a checklist or guideline.
The 5W’s & H also help product manager in asking a right question in the Comprehend Situation stage and gather information about the problem before jumping into solution or some conclusion.
- What is it?
- Who is it for?
- Why do they need it?
- When is it available?
- Where is it available?
- How does it work?”
Here is a walkthrough of one example about: How would you design a bicycle renting app for tourists?
3. North Star Framework
Introduced by Amplitude, this framework centers on a single, most important metric — the North Star Metric. Startup advisor Sean Ellis describes this metric as one that “best captures the core value that your product delivers to customers.” The North Star Metric is complemented by a number of key inputs that help to drive it. Your team works to impact these key inputs with everything it does every day.
4. 5Es Framework
Used for building the different stages of the customer experience. It can be used to help uncover product improvement opportunities easily.
Entice: What event triggers a user to enter the UX funnel?
Enter: What are the first few steps in the UX funnel?
Engage: What task(s) is the user trying to accomplish?
Exit: How does the user complete the task?
Extend: What follow-up actions occur after the user completes the task?
5. Job To Be Done
Also known simply as JTBD, this framework for focuses on identifying customers’ needs, based on scenarios rather than personas. Championed by Clayton Christiansen, it calls for a deeper understanding of the customers, including their goal or “job” that they would need your product to do. Job To Be Done shifts the center of attention from the product to customers. It helps to grasp the customers’ thought processes when purchasing so that product teams can know what to focus on.
6.Story Telling
Storytelling is actually the oldest way to deliver a message — or to explain the world. Ancient people used storytelling. The Bible uses storytelling. Your uncle uses storytelling. Product Managers use storytelling. You’re using storytelling for yourself and your business, even if you don’t call it exactly that. Its is the foundation for effective communication in general and a solid foundation for a couple of the frameworks listed below as well.
Storytelling at it’s most basic structure is about a Situation / Problem (Hero and Enemy), Needs (Conflict and Painpoints) and a Solution. Well, that’s right there 3 integral elements to be managed by Product Managers.
If we follow this structure it makes it easy for the listener to follow. Story is “a thing that does” rather than “a thing that is”. It is a tool with measurable utility rather than an object for aesthetic admiration.
See also:
TEDx: Storytelling: The Secret Key To Leadership
The Basics Of Leadership Storytelling
Why Leadership Storytelling Is Important
In its basic form these are the Steps:
Step 1: You — What, Who is this story about?
Step 2: Need — Problems, painpoints, Needs, Issues, Challenges
Step 3: Go — Cross the threshold into ‘the upside down’
Step 4: Search and Alternatives — How can “you” achieve your goal?
Step 5: Find a Solution — The meeting with the Goddess
Step 6: Take / Apply
Step 7: Return (How does this relate to the Goal)
Step 8: Wrapping up
7. Bonus Framework : DIGS
A slightly adapted version to STAR is the DIGS framework by Lewis C. Lin which also helps to answer the behavioral question in a structured and impactful way. It is closer to the storytelling methodology and emphasis on creating “higher” stakes.
- Dramatize the situation
- Indicate the alternative
- Go through what you did
- Summarize your project
I hope this was enough to shed some light on how incredibly diverse a product manager’s responsibilities are. For anyone who is pursuing the PM dream, you should start practicing wearing these hats in your everyday life. Start prioritizing your routine tasks ruthlessly while optimizing for impact. Know that there’s no end to the possibilities you can create for yourself once you put your mind to it, and being a PM is one such possibility!
What/ who have I missed? Let me know..
