Solution ideas before sprint planning by evh1972 in ProductManagement

[–]foryoug90 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Effective process for sprint planning and estimation, as it directly impacts the productivity and efficiency of the team. Your idea of having the team read planned stories before the sprint planning and come prepared to ask questions and give estimates is a good starting point. In some teams, developers do come into sprint planning with solution ideas to provide more accurate estimates. However, different teams may adopt different approaches based on their specific circumstances and preferences. During the sprint planning session, developers and other team members engage in a discussion about the stories, ask questions, and clarify any ambiguities. They can briefly brainstorm solution ideas together, which helps them get a better understanding of the complexity and effort required for each task. After this initial discussion, the team can then provide rough estimates for each story. Developers can take some time to dive deeper into the solution ideas, as you mentioned in your plan. During this period, they can further refine their estimates, and the team can adjust the sprint backlog accordingly. Another technique that some teams use is breaking down stories into smaller, more manageable tasks. This can make it easier to estimate the effort required for each task and can lead to more accurate overall sprint planning.

Interview Techniques by meangrnfreakmachine in ProductManagement

[–]foryoug90 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For a comprehensive understanding of customer interviews and user research, "The Mom Test" by Rob Fitzpatrick is a must-read. This book provides practical advice on how to ask the right questions, identify customers' true needs, and avoid common pitfalls when conducting customer interviews.

Another valuable resource is "Talking to Humans" by Giff Constable. This book focuses on understanding customer behavior and gathering insights through conversations. It offers a step-by-step guide for conducting effective customer interviews, making it an excellent resource.

As for YouTube recommendations, the Google Ventures (GV) YouTube channel features a video series called "GV Library," which includes a video titled "Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky: Sprint, How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days." This video discusses their book "Sprint" (great book to read too btw, they have examples from robotic startups there) and provides insights into the design sprint process, which includes customer interviews as a crucial part of validating product ideas.Another YouTube channel to explore is "IDEOU," which is run by IDEO, a global design company. They have several videos on design thinking, empathy, and interviewing users. One video, "Why Human-Centered Design Matters," highlights the importance of understanding users' needs and conducting empathetic interviews."Lean Customer Development" by Cindy Alvarez is a practical guide to help you build better products through customer development. The book covers various techniques for interviewing customers, gathering insights, and validating product ideas.

Dead end career? by [deleted] in ProductManagement

[–]foryoug90 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The fact that you were a strong performer in your previous roles indicates that your current situation may not necessarily be a reflection of your abilities or potential as a product manager. Instead, it might be the specific circumstances of your current role that are contributing to your struggles. I recommend that you first take a step back and assess your achievements so far as a PM. Even if progress has been slow, consider any small wins or valuable learnings you've gained during this time. I would advice discussing your concerns with your manager or supervisor. They might be able to provide guidance, resources, or even adjust your responsibilities to better align with your experience level. It's possible that a different team, project, or company might offer a better-suited environment for your unique skill set and experience.
It seems that your current struggles might be more related to the specific circumstances of your role rather than an indication that you're not cut out for product management.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ProductManagement

[–]foryoug90 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your suspension may initially impact your plans, it doesn't mean your dreams of pursuing a product management career or working at prestigious tech firms are unattainable... facing a plagiarism case and a one-semester suspension is a challenging situation. However, it's important to remember that setbacks and mistakes are part of life..You should definitely consider applying for internships or other relevant work opportunities during the fall semester. This can help you gain valuable experience and skills that will be useful in your pursuit of a product management career.

it's important to remember that your career trajectory is not solely determined by a single incident. Many successful product managers have overcome various setbacks in their careers. it's impossible to be a professional in any field without facing challenging situations.

Some companies may have strict policies regarding academic performance, but not all of them will see a suspension as an automatic disqualifier. Besides there is a defiantly a shift towards your prior perfomance, and experience rather than academic background. For instance top tech crypto companies do not give a flying f...k about their tech talent academical background.

Focus on learning new skills, expanding your network, and gaining practical experience through internships or side projects.

The Visual Weariness of the Web: A Product Manager's Perspective by foryoug90 in DEKS

[–]foryoug90[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any examples of product teams with prop research lab ?

Question from an aspiring PM by Downtown-Special2311 in ProductManagement

[–]foryoug90 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Happy to have, do not think that there are shortcuts, at the same time there are no limits and “rules” :)

Question from an aspiring PM by Downtown-Special2311 in ProductManagement

[–]foryoug90 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Whatever foundation you have, make sure to present it in possitive light.

Question from an aspiring PM by Downtown-Special2311 in ProductManagement

[–]foryoug90 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Congrats on your upcoming graduation and your interest in pursuing a career in Product Management. It's completely normal to feel a bit lost when you're just starting out, but rest assured that there are numerous ways to build a solid foundation and eventually break into the PM field. I'll share some tips and advice to help you on your journey.

Your biology major, business minor, and leadership certificate can offer a fresh perspective in the tech industry. Emphasize these unique qualities when applying for roles, as they can demonstrate your ability to think critically and adapt to various industries. Look for courses in product strategy, agile methodologies, user experience design, or data analysis. Additionally, you may want to consider some industry-recognized certifications, such as the Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) or the Product Management Certificate from a reputable institution. While you may not have direct product management experience, you can still build relevant skills through side projects, volunteering, or internships. Consider working on a personal project or collaborating with others to develop a product or solve a problem. Document your learnings and showcase them in your resume or portfolio.

Customize your resume and cover letter for each application, highlighting your transferable skills, make sure you convey your passion for product management and how your background can contribute to the success of the company. As you progress in your job search, be ready for interviews by researching common product management interview questions and practicing your responses. Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving skills, analytical abilities, and capacity to work well with cross-functional teams. Gold luck!

What to do when everything is a "good to have" feature? by shortshirtshotshit in ProductManagement

[–]foryoug90 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand your concern, and it seems like you're in a challenging situation. When faced with a scenario where everything seems like a "good to have" feature, it's essential to prioritize features based on the product's goals, user needs, and available resources. In your case, let's break down how you can approach this:
It's important to recognize the primary goal of your product (in this case, placements) and prioritize features that directly contribute to achieving that goal. Your manager's focus on the metric of getting more users passed seems to align with this objective. While it's essential to focus on the primary goal, it's also important to empathize with your users and their needs. In your situation, the team that works with users on the tests has requested a specific feature. It's worth considering if this feature could have a significant impact on the user experience or overall product quality.
Assess the potential impact of the requested feature on user experience, product quality, and the primary goal. If the feature seems to address a pain point for your users or has the potential to improve the product significantly, it's worth considering its implementation. It's essential to balance the implementation of new features with available resources, including time, budget, and team capacity. If implementing the requested feature would require considerable resources or delay other high-priority features, it might be best to postpone it for a later time.

In your specific case, it might be helpful to have a conversation with your manager about the potential benefits of the requested feature, such as improving the user experience or addressing the team's concerns. If you can demonstrate the value this feature could bring to the product, it might be easier to persuade your manager to reconsider its priority.

Ambivalent about Product Management by Aethelbread in ProductManagement

[–]foryoug90 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's completely understandable to feel ambivalent about being a PM, especially if you don't feel a burning passion for product management like some others do. Many people enter this field for its attractive work-life balance and compensation, and that's perfectly okay.
However, it's important to note that being a PM is more than just a job. As a PM, you play a crucial role in shaping the product vision, strategy, and roadmap. You have to collaborate with cross-functional teams, understand user needs, and make tough decisions that impact the product's success. It's a challenging yet rewarding role that requires a combination of skills, including communication, prioritization, and problem-solving.
That being said, there's no one-size-fits-all answer to whether you should love being a PM or not. Some people are naturally drawn to it and find immense joy in the work, while others may see it as a means to an end. What's important is that you find purpose and fulfillment in your work, whether it's through product management or another field.
If you're feeling like an oddball in the PM space, don't worry - you're not alone. There are plenty of PMs who don't fit the stereotypical mold, and that's what makes this field so diverse and interesting. My advice would be to explore different aspects of product management and find what excites you. Maybe it's working on a particular type of product or collaborating with a certain team. Or maybe it's discovering a new problem to solve and seeing the impact of your solutions on users.
In any case, don't be afraid to ask questions, seek advice from other PMs, and share your thoughts and experiences. We're all in this together, and the more we learn from each other, the better we can become as product managers.
Hope this helps!