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Decision-making for product managers
As product managers, perhaps the biggest influence we have on our companies is the decisions we make. An activity that on the surface seems like it should be simple becomes quite complex when you think about all you need to consider and the implications involved. It’s tempting to push off those decisions. But, as Canadian rockers Rush pointed out, “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.” Instead of avoiding decisions, you’re better off improving your decision-making processes. This week, we share some resources to help.
Meanwhile, in product news, a human photographer beats AI and prepares for an AI politician. Slack is getting into the project management game, and it just got real for BeReal.
Mastering decision-making: 3 essential frameworks for product managers. As a product manager, you’re no stranger to the constant whirlwind of decisions. Amidst the sea of information, chaos, and urgency, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Fear not! Here’s a lifeline for you — three invaluable frameworks that Mohammad Amir relies on to enhance decision quality and regain his peace of mind. These frameworks are not just practical; they’re rooted in E-E-A-T principles (Expertise, Experience, Authority, Transparency) and are designed to steer your decision-making journey toward success.
Strategic choices: Making the right decisions as a product manager. Let’s face it, making minor or major decisions is an everyday dilemma for product managers. Undoubtedly, this vests a lot of responsibility on PMs’ shoulders as these decisions could dictate the success of a feature or the product as a whole. The folks at Zeda.io understand that decision-making can be daunting, so they created a guide to assist you. Their goal is to help you make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. By the end of this guide, they hope you will better understand how to make the right choices at the right time.
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This Week’s Interview:
What happens when your CEO gives you an idea (and derails your Product Roadmap)?
When a CEO comes to you with a new idea that has the potential to derail your product roadmap, it can be a challenging situation that requires careful decision-making. So what do you do? In our newest YouTube video, we discuss this conundrum (and recall a past conversation with Laura Klein, Author of Build Better Products).
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This video, and many more just like it, are available on our Member Hub. If you don’t have access to the Member Hub already, you can join the community today for free.
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This on Rocketship.fm:
Getting Started with Jobs-to-be-Done
In this episode, Mike Belsito sits down with Bob Moesta, one of the early pioneers of the Jobs to Be Done framework, to dive deep into what Jobs to Be Done is all about. Bob shares his wealth of knowledge on truly understanding your customers by looking at the world through their eyes and examining the progress they are trying to make when they "hire" a product. You'll hear about examples from companies like Basecamp and Intercom – and even how we've used JTBD ourselves at Product Collective. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to build products that customers will love.
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Last month, we relaunched Gigantic, an online learning platform for Product Managers and Leaders.
Courses include:
- Become an AI Product Manager
- Product Strategy and Leadership
- Mastering Customer Research
Register this week at Gigantic.is -- and get an invite to a live hour-long bonus session on Product Strategy later this month.
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Do you like what you see?
If you like what you're reading, go to ProductCollective.com and subscribe. That way, you can get this newsletter in your inbox every Friday before everyone else.
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Making Better Product Decisions
We all know the weight of the decisions we make—each one a step towards building something valuable or steering away from our goals. So, how do we consistently make better product decisions? As I was writing the post we released Monday, I was thinking about this exact question – and a few things came to mind…
First, prioritize customer understanding. It sounds basic, but too often we dive into solutions without deeply understanding the problem. Spend time talking to users, observing their behaviors, and digging into their pain points. Empathy is your compass.
Second, leverage data wisely. While gut instinct is valuable, data provides the clarity needed to validate those instincts. Establish key metrics early and let them guide your iterations. A/B test relentlessly, and don’t shy away from the uncomfortable truths that data may reveal. But remember, data is a guide, not the driver. Balance it with intuition and insight. And remember that qualitative data is data, too. It’s just all about the numbers.
Third, foster a culture of collaboration and experimentation. Encourage your team to voice ideas and challenge assumptions. Innovation often emerges from the least expected places. Set up a sandbox for experimentation where ideas can be tested quickly and iterated upon. This not only leads to better products but also a more engaged and creative team.
Remember, making better product decisions isn't about finding the perfect solution every time. It’s about creating a process that consistently uncovers better solutions. Keep iterating, keep learning, and most importantly, keep your customers at the heart of your decisions.
Mike Belsito
Co-founder, Product Collective
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Will a human steal AI photographer’s jobs? Ever since the advent of generative AI, the age-old battle of man v machine has looked decidedly one-sided. But Miles Astray subverted the idea of artificially generated pictures muscling in on human photography awards by submitting his own human-made image, Flamingone, to the AI category in a prestigious competition. The striking image, an orb of pink feathers standing on top of two knobbly legs, convinced judges to award him third place in the “AI generated” category of the 1839 Awards. When the judges found out a gasp human took the photo, it was disqualified.
Given the state of politics, maybe AI could do better. Victor Miller is running for mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming, with an unusual campaign promise: If elected, he will not be calling the shots—an AI bot will. VIC, the Virtual Integrated Citizen, is a ChatGPT-based chatbot that Miller created. And Miller says the bot has better ideas—and a better grasp of the law—than many people currently serving in government. What could go wrong?
Slack is doing a reverse Jira. Slack introduced Lists, a new feature that allows your team to create checklists and assign items to other members. The reason for adding the feature? Slack cites research that found only 34% of projects are completed on time. We won’t mention that 66% of project teams spend an inordinate amount of time honing their Giphy game.
It’s time to Voodoo that thing you do. Voodoo, a French mobile apps and games publisher, has acquired BeReal for €500 million. As part of the acquisition, BeReal co-founder and CEO Alexis Barreyat will leave the company after a transition period. Aymeric Roffé, the CEO of Wizz, one of Voodoo’s social media apps, will take over as BeReal’s CEO. The acquisition will help BeReal, which has been struggling to grow its user base and was looking for a buyer as it ran out of funding.
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Do What Matters Most — A Conversation about Prioritization
Wednesday, July 3rd @ 01:00 PM EST
Join us for an enlightening virtual fireside chat with Rob Shallenberger, author of Do What Matters Most: Lead with a Vision, Manager with a Plan, and Prioritize your Time. For Product Managers and Product Leaders, prioritization is always a clear challenge. In this discussion, we'll explore the three pivotal habits that promise to revolutionize your approach to work and life. You'll discover how to minimize distractions, amplify your accomplishments, and carve out time for what truly matters.
Whether you're looking to reignite your passion, boost productivity, or lead with a renewed sense of direction, this session promises to be a game-changer for Product Managers and Product Leaders who strive to accomplish more than they ever have before with less stress and anxiety. Plus, you'll have a chance to ask questions of your own as well!
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Mastering the art of decision-making in product management: Introducing the S.O.L.V.E.D. framework with examples. Imagine you’re a Product Manager at the helm of a pivotal project. The stakes are high, the opinions are diverse, and every decision could be the difference between a triumphant success and a forgettable failure. This scenario is a day in the life of every Product Manager. How do you ensure that your decisions lead to the best outcomes in a high-pressure environment? Rohit Verma introduces the S.O.L.V.E.D. Framework, a new beacon for Product Managers navigating the stormy seas of critical decision-making.
From good to great: Mastering decision-making skills as a product manager. Decision-making is a continuous process requiring practice, reflection, and iteration. By honing your decision-making skills, you can drive the success of your product, create value for your customers, and make a lasting impact in your organization. The folks from Gigantic describe 10 decision making skills you need to hone to become a great product manager.
Resources and news curated by Kent J. McDonald.
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