Working with Product Managers
Working with different types of Product Managers as a Tech Lead
The What
There are many types of Product Managers based on their product type, seniority, focused domain, etc.
Technical Product Manager
Has a strong technical background and works on a technical product. e.g., an API, a knowledge graph, a SaaS product, etc
Data Product Manager
Similar to Technical PM, but works on a data product, e.g., an ML model, a data pipeline, etc
Strategic Product Manager
has a strong business-oriented background, focus on product strategy, influencing, vision, etc
Project Product Manager
Has a strong project management background, focus on getting stuff done, lead a team to deliver business values, put deliverables to Gantt chart, etc
Growth Product Manager
Focus on optimising a product by analysing product metrics, driving conversion and retention
And more…
Service Manager, API Product Manager, Program Manager, AI Product Manager, etc
The How
As a Tech Lead, we should be able to work with all types of product managers and find the sweet spot to contribute to the team, and meanwhile, fill the gap if needed.
Daily Delivery
Improve the delivery process via inspiring the dev team
Balance the feature development and technical debt
Get Product Manager buy in the technical roadmap
Encourage the team to challenge decisions
Is it a good decision?
Does it make sense?
Any other ways to do so?
Avoid transactional culture - specification, documentation, contract, estimation, etc
It works for the problem with a relatively concrete solution
Innovation is anti the transactional culture
People
Share technical topics with the Product Manager (manage sideways)
Encourage dev team to provide feedback to the Product Manager, and vice versa
Soften the tension between Developers and UXers
🔴 Red Flags
Focus on customer or sales support, BAU (What is the next big thing)
Focus on the process rather than the outcome (We should prefer practice over process)
📜 Tips
Set up a weekly catch-up
Let the Product Manager know your tech roadmap
Share the big rocks and potential risks, proactively take actions
Pair with the Product Manager to deliver customer value
Challenge things that don’t make sense (Speak up)
Refs
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