Let’s get real for a minute. In the world of tech, titles like "Product Manager" get tossed around a lot, but not everyone with the title is actually doing the job. It’s super common to see project managers or SCRUM masters being called product managers—yet they’re not actually driving the product vision. This kind of mix-up can create all sorts of headaches, confusion, and a few awkward meetings. Trust me, I’ve seen it all.
Are the product managers in your organization truly shaping the product’s direction, or are they more like project managers/SCRUM masters in disguise? It all comes down to one crucial question: Who is really shaping the product roadmap? If your product managers aren’t influencing this, they might be playing a different role than their title suggests. And guess what? That’s totally fine! Let’s dig into the differences and why it’s okay to have clarity in these roles.
What Is a Product Manager, Really?
If you’re a product manager, you’re the one mapping out the product’s future. It’s like being the navigator on a ship—you set the course and adjust when the seas get rough. You’re making decisions about what’s going into the product, when it’s getting there, and why it matters. You know what users need, you study market trends, and you’re thinking strategically about how to get ahead. You’re basically the captain who also moonlights as the lookout.
Here’s What a True Product Manager Does:
- Setting the Product Vision and Roadmap: Thinking about where the product is headed next and how to get there.
- Talking to Customers (A Lot): Diving deep into user feedback, researching market trends, and figuring out what will make a difference.
- Bringing Teams Together: Aligning engineers, designers, and sales folks, ensuring everyone is rowing in the same direction.
- Prioritizing Like a Pro: Making those tough calls between what could be done and what should be done.
But the most important thing? Influencing the roadmap. If a product manager isn’t steering that ship, they’re not really a product manager.
What About Project Managers and SCRUM Masters?
Now, if you’re a project manager or SCRUM master, you’re doing some equally valuable work. You’re the one making sure the team actually delivers on all those big ideas. Think of it like being the deckhand who keeps the ship running smoothly. You’re focused on timelines, resources, and making sure the ship doesn’t crash into an iceberg.
The difference? You’re not deciding where the ship is headed; you’re making sure it arrives on time.
Here’s What Project Managers Do Best:
- Planning and Keeping Us on Track: Building out timelines, managing resources, and keeping everyone rowing on time.
- Removing Roadblocks: Helping the team dodge obstacles and keep things running smoothly.
- Coordinating Like Champions: Ensuring communication flows between teams, keeping everyone in sync.
If you see your tech leaders spending more time managing timelines and tracking progress rather than shaping the product vision, they might be playing the role of a project manager.
Why the Confusion? Let’s Clear the Air
In tech, it’s pretty common to see job titles like “Product Manager” used for people who are really doing the work of a project manager or SCRUM master. And that’s where things can get tricky. You want to ensure that your team members are playing the right roles. If someone is running all the sprints, managing deadlines, and coordinating between teams, but not helping shape the product vision or prioritize what gets built next, they’re not truly functioning as a product manager.
Why Does It Even Matter?
It might sound like splitting hairs, but the difference between a product manager and a project manager is more than just a line on a job description. Here’s why it’s worth getting it right:
- Clarity in Roles = Happy Teams: When everyone knows who’s steering the ship and who’s keeping it running smoothly, things just work better.
- Aligning with Company Goals: Product managers think big-picture, aligning the product with business objectives, while project managers ensure those goals actually get executed. Both are crucial, but mixing them up can lead to chaos.
- Career Growth: If your team members want to be strategic decision-makers, they need to know where they stand now. Project management is a different path, but it's no less important. Understanding their role helps them build the right skills for where they want to go next.
Are Your Product Managers Really Product Managers? Here’s the Test
Let’s keep it simple: ask this—Do your product managers get to decide what goes on the product roadmap? If not, they’re probably playing the role of a project manager or SCRUM master, even if their email signature says otherwise. And that’s okay!
Why Having Great Project Managers Matters
Look, being a project manager is nothing to scoff at. Without them, the best-laid plans would go nowhere fast. They’re the reason projects hit their deadlines (or at least don’t go wildly over). They make sure everyone knows what they’re doing, when they’re doing it, and that no one is going to hit a technical iceberg along the way. They bring structure to chaos, and that’s a superpower.
Wrapping It Up: Embrace Clarity in Your Team
Whether your team members are steering the ship or keeping it on course, their roles matter. It’s crucial to understand who in your org is really shaping the product roadmap and who’s ensuring it’s delivered on time. If you find your tech leaders stepping into the product vision role, it might be time to reassess their titles and responsibilities. After all, every great ship needs both a captain and a crew to reach its destination!
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