Myths About Product Management You Should Never Believe
Don’t be fooled around about these product management myths and get to know the truth.
Have you ever heard someone say that Product Managers just "sit around all day" or that their role isn't really necessary? As a PM, I can tell you that these statements couldn't be further from the truth. Unfortunately, there are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the product management role that often go unchallenged. In this post, I’ll go through some of the most common myths and why they persist.
Why there’s a lot of myths about Product Management?
One reason is that, even thought the role exists from 1931, it has been relatively a new discipline for many tech companies and startups in the last decades. Compared to other roles in tech, such as software engineering or marketing, product management has recently become popular in the digital world. This means that many people are not familiar with the nuances of the role and its value. As a result, they resort to making assumptions and half-truths.
Another reason is that the product management role has a wide variety of responsibilities. Depending on the company and the product being developed, a product manager could be involved in everything from market research to product design to user testing. The vast of responsibilities can make it difficult for outsiders to understand exactly what product managers do on a day-to-day basis.
Actually, for many companies, product managers were confused for user experience designers, senior technology leads, or, more controversially, project managers. As a result, misconceptions arise!
Most common myths about Product Management
Myth: “Product Management role is the same at every company.”
Why it's fake: The role of a Product Manager can vary significantly from one company to another. Factors such as company size, industry, culture, and product offering can all influence the specific responsibilities, expectations, and scope of a Product Manager's role. It's crucial for Product Managers to adapt and tailor their approach based on the unique needs and characteristics of their organization.
Myth: "Product Managers are the CEOs of the product.”
Why it's fake: While Product Managers have responsibilities and decision-making authority over their products, they do not have the same level of power and control as a CEO. CEOs have a broader scope of influence and responsibility, overseeing the entire company's operations and strategic direction. Product Managers focus specifically on the product and its lifecycle within the company.
Myth: “Product Managers need to be Engineers.”
Why it's fake: While having a Computer Science degree can be beneficial for certain aspects of product management, such as understanding technical concepts and working closely with development teams, it is not a requirement for all product management roles. Product Managers come from diverse backgrounds and bring a range of skills and experiences to the table, including business, design, marketing, and project management.
The most important qualification for a Product Manager is a deep understanding of the customer, strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, and the ability to drive the product's success.
Myth: "Product Managers always have the final say in product decisions."
Why it's fake: Product Managers do not have the final say in all decisions. Product management is collaborative, and decisions often involve input from cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and leadership.
Myth: "Product Managers just write features and hand them off to the development team."
Why it's fake: While Product Managers do create feature specifications, their role involves much more, including defining strategy, gathering user feedback, prioritizing work, and working closely with development teams throughout the product lifecycle.
Myth: "Product Managers don't need to communicate with users directly; that's the job of customer support."
Why it's fake: While customer support teams play a vital role in assisting users and addressing their concerns, it is not their sole responsibility to gather feedback and understand user needs. Product Managers should actively seek direct interaction with users through various channels, including customer support, surveys, and user interviews. This direct user engagement allows Product Managers to gain firsthand insights, understand pain points, and ideate solutions that meet user needs.
Myth: "Product Managers are responsible for marketing and sales."
Why it's fake: Marketing and sales are separate functions from product management. While product managers collaborate with these teams and provide input, their primary focus is on defining the product and its features.
Myth: "Product Managers should always prioritize building new features over improving existing ones."
Why it's fake: Prioritization depends on various factors, including user feedback, market conditions, and the product's strategic goals. Sometimes improving existing features is more important than adding new ones. Continual improvement and iteration are key aspects of successful product management. By focusing solely on adding new features, Product Managers risk neglecting the user experience and potentially introducing more complexities. It's essential to strike a balance between innovation and optimization to ensure a successful and user-friendly product.
Myth: "Product Managers should never change the product roadmap once it's set."
Why it's fake: Product Managers should constantly evaluate and adapt the product roadmap based on new information, market trends, and customer feedback. The product roadmap is not set in stone and should be flexible to ensure the product's success and alignment with the company's strategic goals.
Myth: "Product Managers can't be technical; they're only focused on business."
Why it's fake: While it is true that product managers need a strong understanding of business concepts and strategy, they also benefit from having technical knowledge. Being able to comprehend technical concepts and communicate effectively with development teams is crucial. A balanced mix of technical and business acumen to succeed in their role.
Myth: "Product Managers work in isolation and make decisions independently."
Why it's fake: Successful product management involves collaboration with multiple teams and stakeholders. Decisions are rarely made in isolation and often require consensus-building. Product Managers need to work closely with cross-functional teams such as engineering, design, marketing, and customer support to ensure that the product is meeting the needs of both the users and the business. They rely on input and feedback from these teams to make informed decisions and drive the product's success.
Last words, let’s fight together against these myths
What can be done to fight against these myths? One important step is education. If you're a product manager, take the time to explain your role to others - whether that be friends, family members, or colleagues. Sounds like an exaggeration, but even spreading the word in your inner circle helps the PM role to be better known.
Some time ago, I used to not give this role the importance it deserves. When I was introduced to new teams or colleagues I used to give a short answer diminishing the value of my own activities. Don’t be like me! Instead, describe your responsibilities in detail and give examples of how you have added value to your company. This will help to demystify the role and highlight its importance.
Another way to dispel myths is to be more vocal about product management successes. Share your team's wins on social media or in relevant industry publications. By highlighting these achievements, you show others that product management is a critical role that can make a real impact on a company's bottom line.
In conclusion, the product management role is an essential component of any tech company. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about what a product manager does and why the role is necessary. Yet by educating others, sharing our successes, and investing in professional development opportunities, we can help to dispel these myths and demonstrate the value of product management to all!
Do you know another myth not listed here? Let me know in the comments 👇
This is a great post, Elena. Full of truth and advice. Sharing content as posts, videos or podcasts help us clarify all this situation. Because people still want to believe they’re are their job and that define them. But no, today you cannot rely on a degree or job title... roles change across companies and even among teams.