“Product managers have to make many decisions every day…And the process by which a product manager makes such decisions can result either in an extremely well-functioning team dynamic or… quite the opposite.” — Sachin Rekhi
A Product Manager’s role is a constant, never-ending balancing act between striking the right balance between customers, technology and business. It can be a grueling process, and, in order to deliver optimal results, Product Managers must involve the right people, in the right ways, at the right times. This article will outline 3 tips that Product Managers should follow in order to make better decisions about their products and deliver a consistently terrific job performance.
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Know Your Data and its Limitations
According to Gartner analysts, “planning is critical for providers to anticipate and ensure that their offerings meet the needs of customers and the market, and provide differentiation from competitors.” In the “product jungle,” as it is often referred to, it is vital that Product Managers prepare themselves with accurate analyses of the market in order to make confident, informed decisions. Having said that, collect data to help you make decisions, don’t allow the data to make the decisions for you.
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Remember that You Are Not Alone
Ultimately, Product Managers are the ones who need to make the decision, but they are not alone in this process. Any product-related process is not meant to “fall” on one individual, but rather to be a team effort. Your team wants you to succeed and wants the entire project to succeed, just as much as you do. You will feel relieved and less stressed if you allow other people to assist you in the decision-making process. Even more than this, your team will thank you for listening to their input and will question your decisions less.
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Have a Good Attitude
One of the most important, yet forgotten, steps for every decision-maker is to have a good attitude. A poor attitude clouds your judgment, negatively impacts your performance and is a drain on your team. Do whatever it takes to “get in the zone”. This could be as simple as playing positive and motivational music, or enjoying a favorite snack — everyone has a “secret weapon” that can help them get into the proper mindset.
These 3 steps will help Product Managers make superior decisions. They are often overlooked, but can have a significant impact in the overall decision-making process. Following these steps and implementing them in every process, with all team members involved, can provide great and lasting benefits.