36 Questions
What is described as 'busy work' for product managers?
Work that is keeping you busy but isn't necessarily helping you to achieve the goal that you and your product team are aiming for
How can product managers work smarter according to the content?
Ask yourself 'What's the most important thing right now?'
The advice of re-prioritizing work within a sprint should be communicated to the development team.
True
What is one key reason why culture is important when creating high-performing product teams?
Culture of the team can have a huge impact on performance
What is a key rule mentioned for product managers to create a high-performing product team culture?
Sharing blame when things go wrong
True or False: One person's success should be considered solely their own.
False
Developing empathy with your team, manager, and customers means asking questions like 'How are you?' with ________.
intention
Match the following skills/products with their descriptions:
Asking questions and listening well = Key skill for product managers to develop deeper understanding Empathy with team, manager, and customers = Important for developing better relationships and team dynamics Sharing blame when things go wrong = Fosters a supportive and accountable team culture Being honest about assumptions = Acknowledging biases and uncertainties in decision-making
What is the role of a product manager in feedback loops with users?
Advocate for user feedback at all stages of product development, and support the designers in getting it done.
What should a product manager do when faced with initial user and customer feedback?
Both a and b
Product managers should maintain focus on the product strategy and vision.
True
What is fundamental to becoming better at a job, according to the content?
Practice
According to the content, what should you do after conducting 30 user interviews to improve?
Seek feedback
Good product management requires dictatorship behavior.
False
Product development is described as a team ___.
sport
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Desirable = Does it solve a problem? Feasible = How difficult is it to build? Viable = Will it help the business? Product Design = Successful product happens at this intersection
Why is it important to have at least a surface level understanding of everything going on with your product?
To address critiques effectively
What is a common topic of feedback mentioned in the content?
Pointing out problems in other people's areas
Why should product managers get used to giving, receiving, and sharing feedback?
To improve opportunities for growth
It is important to respond considerately to feedback, even if you don't agree with it.
True
Feedback can be scary, but avoiding it can lead to missed opportunities to ____________ and improve.
grow
What is a key reason why product managers need to understand what good vs good enough looks like?
To continuously improve their work
Match the following with their importance for new product managers:
Be brave = Stepping out of comfort zone Giving, receiving, and sharing feedback = Opportunity to improve Understand good vs good enough = Continuous improvement
What is the importance of having a high-performing product team?
High-performing product team consists of every specialty or discipline needed to make day-to-day decisions regarding the product.
What does starting a project together as a team help in building?
Shared context
Psychological safety is key for better performance on product teams.
True
One way to begin creating psychological safety in a team is by having equal participation in early decision making for the ________.
product
Match the following activities with their purpose:
User research and discovery = Designers spend majority of time on this Technical risks, assumptions, and system design = Collaboration with developers Defining success and setting clear goals = Product manager's role during early discovery and framing solutions
Why is user research important for product managers?
User research is important for product managers because it provides the necessary foundation to navigate challenges successfully, make informed decisions, align product strategy with user needs, and mitigate risks associated with product development.
What is one of the most common frameworks used by product managers for user research? The ______ Diamond.
Double
What does user research provide to product managers?
All of the above
What are the two phases of the Double Diamond framework?
Solve the right problem and Solve the problem right
Continuous Discovery is more linear than the Double Diamond framework.
False
Who created the Continuous Discovery framework?
Teresa Torres
The User Research Prioritization Framework helps product teams evaluate where to invest their limited __________ and resources.
time
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Risk: LOW = Ship it and measure Light Risk: HIGH = Design Heavy Research Heavy Problem clarity: LOW = Research Light Problem clarity: HIGH = Research Heavy
Study Notes
The Beginner's Product Manager's Handbook
- The handbook is a resource to help kick off a journey in product management.
- It includes advice from experienced product managers, such as Lily Smith, Becki Hyde, Jeanette Fuccella, and Andy Smith.
10 Tips for New Product Managers to Work Smarter and Advance Faster by Lily Smith
- Tip 1: Ask yourself, "What's the most important thing right now?"
- Prioritize tasks by asking this question on a weekly basis to ensure you're focusing on the most important goals.
- Reflect on your work with your team and manager to adjust priorities if needed.
- Tip 2: Establish a culture of sharing
- Create a micro-culture within your product team that is accountable, supportive, and high-performing.
- Share knowledge, ask for help, and accept blame when things go wrong.
- Foster an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
- Tip 3: Develop your empathy beyond customers
- Empathize with your team, manager, leadership, and peers, not just customers.
- Ask intentional questions like "How are you?" and "Do you have time for this?" to understand others' perspectives and priorities.
- Adjust your working style to accommodate others, leading to better collaboration and leadership.### Honesty and Self-Awareness
- It's essential to be honest with yourself about your assumptions and biases.
- Recognize when you're making assumptions or have biases, and clarify them when necessary.
- Regularly reflect on your thought process and ask yourself if you really know something or if it's an assumption.
Effective Questioning and Listening
- Practice asking questions and listening to others, especially in social situations, to develop your questioning skills.
- Don't be afraid to ask "stupid" questions, as they can lead to important clarifications and insight.
- Take responsibility for having a surface-level understanding of everything related to your product, including technical design, market research, and financial modeling.
Feedback and Growth
- Feedback is crucial for growth, but it can be scary to receive and give.
- Be open to receiving feedback, and respond considerately to critiques, even if you disagree.
- Regularly ask for feedback, and create a culture where feedback is normalized and encouraged.
- Share feedback with others, and strive to create a culture of trust and high-performance within your team.
Quality of Work
- Understand the difference between "good" and "good enough" work.
- Know when to prioritize speed and efficiency over perfection.
- Practice and refine your work regularly, and ask for feedback to improve.
- Observe how others respond to good work and strive to match their quality.
Courage and Self-Development
- Be brave and willing to stretch out of your comfort zone to develop as a product manager.
- Regularly challenge yourself to try new things, even if they're scary or uncomfortable.
- Use positive affirmations to boost your confidence and deal with stress.
Practice and Improvement
- Practice is fundamental to becoming better at your job as a product manager.
- Adapt your approach and try new things to figure out what works best.
- Don't be afraid to make mistakes – reflect on them and use them as opportunities to learn and improve.
- Ask for feedback and guidance to refine your skills.
Networking and Community
- Cultivate a network of product managers and other professionals in your field.
- Leverage your network for support, guidance, and learning opportunities.
- Recognize the importance of networking for your career development and growth as a product manager.### The Importance of Networking in Product Management
- Having a network of supportive product people can inspire and provide valuable learning opportunities
- Expanding your network can lead to new opportunities, including learning, connecting, and building your personal brand
- It's essential to create diversity in your network by connecting with people from different backgrounds and perspectives
The Role of Mental Health in Product Management
- Taking care of your mental health is crucial for success in product management
- Neglecting mental health can lead to poor performance and negatively impact your team and peers
- Prioritizing self-care sets a good example for your team and enables you to think more clearly and creatively
Leading a Product Team
- Good product management requires leadership without authority
- Product development is a team sport, and a product manager must synthesize information and ideas from diverse team members
- A successful product team consists of a high-performing team with diverse specialties and disciplines
Building a Balanced Team
- A balanced team is essential for success in product management
- A product manager should assemble a team with the right mix of skills and expertise
- The team should include representatives from various disciplines, including product design, engineering, and product management
Collaborating with Designers
- Collaborating with designers is essential for product development
- A product manager should work with designers to create a learning backlog, prioritize research efforts, and identify assumptions to validate
- Regular check-ins with designers can help ensure that the team has enough information to move forward
Collaborating with Developers
- Collaborating with developers is crucial for product development
- A product manager should work with developers to identify technical risks, assumptions, and system design
- Collaborative building of a list of technical chores can help balance trade-offs and prioritize tasks
Defining and Measuring Success
- A product manager should define and measure success in product development
- Clear goals and measurable objectives can help the team focus and prioritize tasks
- Success should be defined in terms of business goals and outcomes, rather than binary metrics
Creating Feedback Loops
- Creating feedback loops is essential for mitigating risk in product development
- A product manager should seek feedback from the team, users, and stakeholders to iterate and adjust to new information
- Feedback loops can be created through processes and practices that encourage cross-discipline conversations and collaboration.
A beginner's guide to kick-start a career in product management, covering exciting and challenging aspects of the field.
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