Product Manager Blueprint: 3 Ways to Become a Product Manager
Breaking into Product Management: Your Comprehensive Guide to Success
My product management journey began in 2017 at a startup, which is now a recognized player in the field of sales engagement. As a product owner (my role here), I focused on crafting user stories, facilitating Scrum ceremonies, and collaborating closely with the development team. This experience gave me the importance of understanding both the business objectives and the technical realities of product development. Though I was not a product manager yet, I learned the value of removing the gap between these two worlds, ensuring smooth communication with engineering and executives to deliver the best possible value for our customers.
Over time, my passion for product management has only intensified. I'm continually inspired by the field's potential to positively impact people's lives. As technology accelerates, product managers have unprecedented opportunities to shape innovative products and contribute to greater societal transformations.
In this article, I'll outline three common paths to becoming a product manager. My own journey reflects path 3, using my prior project management skills to successfully transition into product management
Path 1: Formal Education and a Fresh Start
The path to becoming a product manager is flexible, and it's entirely possible to start your journey from scratch. The internet provides a wealth of learning resources, catering to different budgets and learning styles.
Free resources
There are hundreds of websites, newsletters, discussion threads and other free resources about product management. Here are some of them:
reddit.com/r/ProductManagement - one of the largest product management communities with more than 140K members. This is a good place to start you journey, participate in discussions, ask questions, and learn from experienced PMs.
lennysnewsletter - excellent newsletter about product management with a variety of free and paid materials.
Product Compass - one more newsletter about all the critical PM learning topics.
theproductmanager.com - a dynamic and diverse community for digital product leaders navigating the challenges of product growth and maturity.
I would also recommend subscribe on relevant accounts in Twitter, Facebook and Telegram.
Online learning platforms
LinkedIn Learning - access to a vast library of courses with a Premium subscription.
Udemy - another good option where you can select a good product management course. However, you must pay for each course separately.
Coursera - one more excellent learning platform with a variety of product management courses.
Online Certification Programs
These programs offer structured learning and demonstrate your commitment, potentially accelerating your career transition. Consider these options:
Product HQ Certified Product Manager - Certified Product Manager. Program teaches you the skills, strategies, and frameworks you need to tackle the challenges of product development and succeed in your role as a product leader ($350-$750).
Product School - Level up your Product skills through live online courses with real world case studies and proven frameworks taught by Silicon Valley’s top Product Leaders ($5000).
Stanford Product Management Program - Product Management Program by Stanford School of Engineering ($2975).
Path 2: Climbing the Ladder Internally
For those already within a company, like my case when I started as a product owner in a sales engagement startup, product management can be a natural progression. Your existing knowledge of the company's products, customers, and internal structure offers a significant advantage. Many companies prioritize developing product managers internally rather than hiring externally.
Seek Out Opportunities
Actively seek out projects or cross-functional roles that align with product development. This might involve volunteering for user testing sessions, offering to create documentation, or assisting with customer research. Demonstrate a genuine interest in the product team's work and a willingness to contribute beyond your current role. If your company offers personal development plan options, discuss a possible career switch with your manager.
Connect with the Product Team
Building strong relationships with the product team is crucial. Find ways to collaborate, whether it's informal coffee chats or offering assistance on tasks. Seek out mentors within the team who can offer guidance and insights into the product manager role. Their support can be invaluable in advocating for your transition.
Mentorship in product management is a separate topic for discussion. You can always ask a seasoned product manager to become your mentor and guide you through your career. Here are some mentorship resources:
https://www.mentoring-club.com/the-mentors/category/product-management (free)
https://mentorcruise.com/mentor/browse/?tags=Product+Management (from $200 a month)
https://www.intelligentpeople.co.uk/product-management-mentorship/ (free)
Path 3: The Lateral Leap – Transferable Skills
For experienced professionals in tech-adjacent fields, transitioning into product management can be a natural progression. Roles in software engineering/development, project management, design (UX/UI), business analysis, and consulting all cultivate valuable skills that readily translate into the product manager's toolbox.
Key Transferable Skills
Understanding customers: previous roles focused on user needs or market analysis provide a strong foundation for product management's customer-centric approach.
Collaboration: experience working with cross-functional teams translates seamlessly to the highly collaborative nature of product development.
Technical fluency: depending on your background, technical knowledge empowers you to effectively communicate with engineers and understand product limitations and possibilities.
Advantages of the Lateral Leap
Your existing knowledge and industry insights can be a significant asset in your new role. Also, building on established skills can make your career shift feel more natural and less disruptive.
Potential Challenges
You must emphasize your ability to think strategically about product vision, roadmaps, and market fit. Showcase how your previous work involved elements of product thinking, even if not explicitly under the PM title.
Ideal Candidates
This path is particularly well-suited for experienced professionals seeking a change while capitalizing on their existing strengths. If you possess a strong understanding of customers, enjoy cross-team collaboration, and have a technical foundation (to varying degrees), the lateral leap into product management could be a perfect fit.