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{"id":45,"date":"2020-06-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-11T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chrismiles.co\/what-are-the-four-flavours-of-product-manager-afcb4de0e61\/"},"modified":"2020-07-16T17:32:45","modified_gmt":"2020-07-16T17:32:45","slug":"four-flavours-of-product-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chrismiles.co\/four-flavours-of-product-manager\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the four flavours of product\u00a0manager?"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 6<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

Introducing the PM Quadrants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I<\/span> have learnt so much in the last few years about product management that I wish I\u2019d considered (and known) earlier. This is the first in a series of four posts where I will introduce and then expand upon, the \u2018PM Quadrants\u2019 that I have created to show what flavours of product manager there are, what skills they require, how to tell if you\u2019re really a product manager and how to use the quadrants to enhance your career progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope that this post helps you gain insight that helps you with your career in product or, controversially, away from it if they choose a different path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This first post focusses on introducing the quadrants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve done a whole host of roles in my career in consulting and in industry, so I feel well placed to discuss differences across companies and teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"roles
The many roles I\u2019ve had during my career has given me the chance to see many types of product manager and from many different angles.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Every place that I have worked as, or with, a product manager has had a different perspective on the role. I have worked in environments that use the \u2018dictator-style\u2019 product manager. In this approach, the product manager is expected to \u2018tell\u2019 the development team what to do. A Product Requirements Document (more like Pretty Ridiculous Document!) gets metaphorically chucked over a fence and if the product manager is feeling generous they might shout \u2018FORE\u2019 to warn the development team of the huge expectations that are about to crush their souls and ruin their social life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, I\u2019ve worked in environments where the product manager has no power what-so-ever and plays the role of the \u2018middle sibling\u2019\u200a\u2014\u200aunderappreciated and often ignored, but usually saying the most balanced thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Cassandra of Troy knew a thing or two about being wise but not heard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Based on these experiences I\u2019ve created four flavours of product manager according to their relative focus areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the four flavours of product manager?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before I explain the four flavours, let\u2019s just agree on what product management is in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll use these three quotes that I just jotted down (quoting myself\u2026 narcissist alert!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A product manager sits at the intersection between the customer, technology and business.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A product manager enables an outcome-focussed approach and tracks performance of the product<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A product manager provides a balanced and pragmatic view on priorities to maximise the value of the team<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

For more on the definition of product management, check out the post below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
What is product management? Here\u2019s what 35 product managers\u2019 think.<\/a><\/blockquote>