Episode 252: Understanding Product vs Project Management
In this episode, Melissa Perri dives into the often-confused realms of product management and project management. Many people conflate these roles, but they serve distinct purposes and bring different values to an organization. Melissa unpacks the unique responsibilities and skills required for each role and discusses how they can effectively complement each other to drive product success.Whether you're a seasoned product leader or new to the field, this conversation will provide clarity and actionable insights on how to align these functions within your teams.If you're eager to distinguish between product and project management, and to learn how these roles can work in harmony to propel your product initiatives forward, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to hear Melissa's expert advice and start applying these insights to your own product strategies today.You’ll hear us talk about:01:19 - Differentiating Product and Project ManagementMelissa clarifies the core differences between product and project management, emphasizing the importance of focusing on value creation and timelines.02:43 - The Role of Agile in Product DevelopmentA discussion on how Agile practices have transformed traditional project management roles and why product managers often take on project tasks in smaller teams.04:04 - Leveraging Roles for Product SuccessInsights into how larger organizations can benefit from dedicated project managers and the value they add in coordinating across multiple products and teams.Episode resources:Check out Angel Squad: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissaCheck our courses: https://productinstitute.com/
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Episode 251: From CERN to FemTech Innovation with Magda Armbruster
Dr. Magda Armbruster, Head of Product at Natural Cycles, joins Melissa Perri to discuss her unique journey from physics to product management, and how she leverages her scientific background to innovate in women's health technology. As the first FDA-cleared birth control app, Natural Cycles offers a non-hormonal alternative for women and is expanding into new areas such as perimenopause. Dr. Armbruster delves into the challenges and opportunities of integrating user feedback, scientific data, and regulatory compliance in product development. Explore how Natural Cycles maintains user trust through data privacy, and discover the role of AI and wearables in personalizing health experiences. Dr. Armbruster shares her insights on fostering collaboration between product and regulatory teams, balancing innovation with compliance, and the importance of transparency and communication in product management.Want to understand how to successfully develop compliant, user-centered health tech products? Tune in to gain insights from Dr. Armbruster's experience in transforming women's health through product innovation.You’ll hear us talk about:10:45 - Integrating Scientific Rigor in Product DevelopmentDr. Armbruster explains how her background in physics informs her approach to product management at Natural Cycles. She discusses the importance of applying scientific methods to product development, ensuring that products are both innovative and evidence-based.22:15 - Ensuring Data Privacy and User ControlThe conversation turns to data privacy, where Dr. Armbruster highlights how Natural Cycles prioritizes user control over their data. She details the features that allow users to manage their data, reflecting the company's commitment to trust and security.35:00 - Balancing Innovation with Regulatory ComplianceDr. Armbruster shares strategies for maintaining a balance between innovation and compliance. She emphasizes the importance of early collaboration with regulatory teams to ensure that new products meet compliance requirements without stifling creativity and user-centric design.Episode resources:Natural Cycles: https://www.naturalcycles.com/Magda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magda-armbruster-326692a/Check our courses: https://productinstitute.com/Timestamps:00:00 From CERN to FemTech06:18 Scientific Thinking in Product Leadership14:03 Education and transparency20:52 Science-Backed Collaboration Across Teams26:54 Regulation as a Framework for Innovation31:46 Future of FemTech and Advice for Product Leaders
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Episode 250: Building Smart: Clarity Over Perfection
What framework or experience do product managers rely on to determine when a feature is ready for delivery?Product managers should balance clarity and collaboration with developers when determining if a feature is ready for delivery. Key considerations include validating the feature's worth, assessing risk levels, and ensuring specifications provide enough context for developers to start coding without needing every detail defined. Iteration and communication are essential for successful product development, allowing teams to adapt and refine features as they progress.Episode resources:Get a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissaCheck all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking
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Episode 249: Moving Beyond Function in Product Management with Nesrine Changuel
In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri welcomes Nesrine Changuel, a seasoned product coach, trainer, and author, known for her work at Google, Spotify, and Microsoft. Nesrine shares her journey and insights into creating products that users truly love by focusing on emotional connections and the concept of "Product Delight” - the name of her recently launched book.She discusses how understanding both functional and emotional user motivators is crucial in designing tech products that stand out and are memorable. Throughout the conversation, Nesrine explores the challenges and strategies for implementing emotional elements into product design, emphasizing the importance of balancing functional needs with the emotional experiences of users. She shares examples of how tech giants approach product delight and the significance of inclusivity in product design.Want to learn how to create tech products that are not just functional but also delight users on an emotional level? Tune in to this enlightening conversation with Nesrine Changuel.You’ll hear us talk about:06:39 - The Pillars of Product DelightNesrine explains the three pillars of product delight: removing friction, anticipating needs, and exceeding expectations. She shares how they apply to products like the Revolut app, which continuously surprises users with new, useful features.13:40 - Tackling Zoom FatigueNesrine discusses how Google Meet tackled user boredom and low interaction during COVID-19 by introducing features like background blur and emoji reactions to enhance privacy and engagement, helping alleviate "Zoom fatigue."36:46 - AI and Emotional ConnectionsNesrine expresses her concerns about AI's current inability to address emotional needs in products, emphasizing the importance of maintaining emotional connections in the increasingly functional world driven by AI advancements.Episode resources:Product Delight on Amazon: https://a.co/d/9sLws71Book landing page: www.productdelightbook.comDelight Tips (Substack): https://nesrinechanguel.substack.com/My website: www.nesrine-changuel.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nesrinechanguel/Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/devCheck our courses: https://productinstitute.com/Timestamps:00:00 Nesrine Career Journey11:16 Emotional Motivators17:22 Measuring Delight: Happiness and Impact22:17 Deep vs. Surface Delight28:19 Inclusivity, Missteps, and the Excellence Checklist36:23 AI, Emotion, and the Risk of Sameness40:47 Advice and Final Thoughts
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Episode 248: Escaping the Reactive Trap in Product Teams
How can a product manager handle a backlog of unanswered customer support tickets and enhancement requests while transitioning to a more strategic approach?Addressing a backlog of customer requests requires strategic thinking rather than reactive responses. To manage this, categorize requests into buckets, establish communication rhythms for backlog reviews, and reset stakeholder expectations. Focus on quick wins to build credibility, engage with stakeholders collaboratively, and protect time for strategic discovery. Ultimately, create a framework for product strategy to prioritize feature enhancements effectively while involving customer support in the triaging process.Episode resources:Check out Monday dev: http://monday.com/devGet a Angel Squad Guest pass: https://go.angelsquad.co/melissaCheck all the podcast episodes here: https://www.produxlabs.com/product-thinking
Successful product management isn’t just about training the product managers who work side by side with developers everyday to build better products. It’s about taking a step back, approaching the systems within organizations as a whole, and leveling up product leadership to improve these systems. This is the Product Thinking Podcast, where Melissa Perri will connect with industry leading experts in the product management space, AND answer your most pressing questions about everything product. Join us each week to level up your skillset and invest in yourself as a product leader.
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