Paradigm Shift

Product is a tool used to address a market opportunity. Idea of a product is conceived from the opportunity, and it (product) takes shape as it grows and as needs evolve. Keeping track of evolving needs and growing product is a function of a product manager. Product Manager makes sure that they keep track of the evolving market by uninterrupted communication with stake holders, customers, engineering and market. These needs are consolidated, filtered and refined to define product road-map and to draft requirements of every product release.

It is critical that a product manager understands the difference between managing product verses managing opportunity. A product manager should always look at product from the lenses of the opportunity.  How well does the product fit into the opportunity? , what are the improvements required? , Is my product aging and should I start looking at alternates? Which features would make product a better fit for the opportunity? Looking through the lenses of the opportunity, if a product manager sees a clear and sharp picture of the product then this justifies the very existence of the product.

5 iees: Requirement gathering to Feature implementation

Implementing requirements in a way they are supposed to be implemented calls for detailed structured thinking and a robust execution plan. Avoiding this can be dangerous as slight gap in initial understanding can cause large deviation in end-result. It thus becomes important for product managers to define a clear path from requirement gathering till feature implementation. A path that is descriptive & self-corrective, path that eliminates false assumptions and ensures success at the end. I present here one such path, I call it path of 5 iees, it has helped me in recent past to deliver highly accurate requirements.

5 iees: Information, Interpretation, Intelligence, Implication, Implementation

Information: Information gathering requires you (as a Product Manager) to be constantly in touch with ground reality that helps in you in getting timely & accurate information (or still data maybe) on what probably may be your next killer feature. Practice being a social animal, a trail that is must for you to excel in knowing facts . I wrote about collecting requirements in my previous blog so I will just rush through this point.
References: Meeting customer || Information Radar || Social animal

Interpretation: Is knowing what actually you just collected (learned from various sources). If gathering information is like sweeping a broom on the floor then interpretation is like to know what to keep and what to let go in bin. Its imperative that you master this skill and get as accurate as possible. This is skill of make or break as small difference in initial understanding can translate into an out of place feature / product. Focus on every word you hear, drill down to facts and revisit your source of information to ensure you understand what you are expected to understand.