product manager being your own client

Product Manager:Being Your Own Client

BA Conference, Pune

Aug. 27, 2011

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Quotes

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• Most products are reborn. The initial version is almost always scrapped.

• Creating a product is hard enough, marketing it and implementing it is a ‘totally different ballgame’.

• As a product manager it helps to have • Reflexes of a juggler (to help keep multiple balls in

the air)• Nose of a basset hound (to help sniff the

environment)• Hide of rhinoceros (to help deflect the poison

darts coming your way).

Outline

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What Is A Software Product Characteristics Of A Software Product What Is Software Product Management Product Manager Skills Is BA a Good Candidate for Product Manager Key Considerations In Product Creation Product Management Challenges Product Management Learnings

What Is A Software Product?

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What Is A Software Product?

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A single application or suite of applications built by software company to be used by multiple customers

Examples: Finacle, Oracle DB 10g, SAP ERP, MS Office etc.

Characteristics Of A Software Product

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Characteristics Of A Software Product

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• Used by Multiple Customers• IP is owned by the Creator• It is based on Domain Knowledge• It is Licensed• It has Versions• It has a Lifecycle

What Is Software Product Management?

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What Is Software Product Management?

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Discipline which governs a product from its inception to the market, or customer delivery, and service, in order to generate highest possible value for the customer.

Software Product Management is about delivering the right products, at the right time, to the right markets.

• The main challenge of software product management is balancing the different and frequently conflicting wishes, needs and priorities of sponsors, developers, marketers and customers.

Product Manager Skills

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Product Manager Skills

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Leadership Domain Knowledge Passion for Customer Delight Multi Tasking Understanding System Architecture Keeping Pace with Business Environment Dealing with Variety of Stakeholders Managing and Mentoring People Commercial Acumen Showcasing Product/Solution

Is BA Good Candidate For Product Manager

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Leadership Domain Knowledge Passion for Customer Delight Multi Tasking Understanding System Architecture Keeping Pace with Business Environment Dealing with Variety of Stakeholders Managing and Mentoring People Commercial Acumen Showcasing Product/Solution

Key Considerations In Deciding Product Creation

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Key Considerations In Product Creation

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Clarity on Need Intended to Fulfill Sustainability of USP Extent of Competition Extent of Investment Financial Viability Capabilities in

People Process Technologies Domain Marketing

Key Product Management Challenges

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Key Product Management Challenges

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Fulfilling Cost and ROI Expectations Knowledge Management Getting and Retaining the right kind of People Balancing Interests of Multiple Stakeholders Ensuring Product remains Up To Date

Product Management Learnings

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Product Management Learnings

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Do’s: Package Features as Solutions Modularize Optimally Accept Mistakes & Know when to ‘Cut Your Losses’ Always keep Customer’s TOC in mind

Don'ts: Aim to ‘Make Everyone Happy’ ‘Chew too much’ at a time, for development Base Initial Dev. on Single Client Requirements Use Pricing as Primary Competitive Advantage

Questions?

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Thank You

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