10 Essential Qualities of Product Manager

That’s 10 out of 10? 

Data product managers come from diverse backgrounds and have different responsibilities and expectations depending on the company. Defining what makes a PM great is a complex task. Given those conditions, here is an attempt at ten similarities.

Product Managers and Data Product Managers (DPMs) play a crucial role in shaping the success of any organization by creating data products that customers love and leveraging valuable insights into customer behavior and market trends. While the responsibilities of a Data Product Managers may vary across companies, there are certain qualities that set apart great Data Product Managers from the rest. In this article, we'll explore the ten essential qualities that make a Data Product Manager exceptional:

1. Results-oriented:

Great Data Product Managers have a laser focus on achieving tangible results with their products. They steer clear of distractions and unnecessary features, remaining steadfastly committed to delivering successful products with real business impact leveraging various product management frameworks.

2. Foresighted:

Exceptional data product managers possess the ability to anticipate potential challenges and opportunities, allowing them to navigate the product's development with foresight and strategic planning.

3. Strong Communication Skills:

Great data product managers are excellent communicators. They can articulate their ideas concisely and persuasively, both in written and verbal form, making it easier to convey their product vision to stakeholders and other product teams.

4. Decision-driven:

These data product managers drive a fast pace of high-quality decisions. They facilitate discussions, weigh well-researched tradeoffs using prioritization frameworks, and help the organization make the right calls to move the product forward.

5. Learning-oriented:

Exceptional data product managers are constantly seeking insights into customer needs and pain points. They use research, experiments, and collaboration with cross-functional partners to gather valuable information and adapt their product strategies accordingly.

6. Impeccable Execution:

Great data product managers are known for their reliability and follow-through. They do what they say they'll do and maintain a sharp attention to detail, elevating the quality and pace of their product teams' work.

7. Product Taste:

Exceptional product managers have a finely honed sense of what makes well-crafted user stories and a product experience. They strike the right balance between quality, user experience and time-to-market constraints, ensuring the product resonates with users.

8. Data Fluency:

These data product managers are skilled in defining and tracking key metrics that align the entire organization around successful products. They are proficient in designing and analyzing experiments, making user-driven decisions, and assessing tradeoffs so as to deliver impeccable product roadmaps.

9. Technical Collaboration:

While they may not hold computer science degrees, great data product managers are effective collaborators with engineering teams. They can comprehend complex technical aspects, providing valuable insights during technical discussions and design decisions.

10. Future-oriented:

Finally, exceptional data product managers live in the future while working backwards. They immerse themselves in research, data, and market discussions to craft inspiring narratives that define the product's path towards success.

Key Learning Summary to Keep

Oh one more thing….Each PM is unique, what would you like to see more of next time?

Just one thing to do…Let’s execute TODAY!