Product Lead | Product
Because we’re at the very earliest stage of our start-up, we have a single product role that combines the responsibilities of Product Manager (strategic) and Product Owner (tactical). These roles will be further defined and separated as we grow to enable our team and processes to scale.
Our product is highly technical and domain-specific. Therefore, the Product Lead (and eventually Product Manager) must have a Mechanical Engineer or Building Scientist background.
Responsibilities
as Product Manager:
- Defining high-level product goals and strategy.
- Prioritizing features and aligning them with business objectives.
- Engaging in market research and customer feedback analysis.
- Working with the dev team to ensure strategic alignment.
as Product Owner:
- Managing the product backlog and prioritizing tasks.
- Writing user stories and defining acceptance criteria.
- Acting as the voice of the customer within the development team.
- Ensuring the development team delivers value according to the product vision.
| Aspect | Product Manager | Product Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of Responsibility | Entire product lifecycle and strategy | Specific project scope and backlog management |
| Decision-Making | Strategic decisions affecting overall product | Tactical decisions within project scope |
| Focus | Long-term vision and market alignment | Short-term execution and team alignment |
| Customer Interaction | Directly gathers and analyzes customer insights | Translates customer needs into actionable tasks |
| Collaboration | Works with cross-functional teams (marketing, sales, etc.) | Works closely with the development team |
Skills & Competencies
This role is complex and challenging. In addition to Manager of One competencies, the Product Lead is expected to demonstrate:
| Horizontal Leadership Competencies | Mechanical Engineer Competencies |
|---|---|
| Results Delivery | Open-minded Pragmatist |
| Strategic Vision | Systems Thinker |
| Risk Awareness and Management | Decarbonization Mechanics |
| Customer Focus | Technical Polyglot |
| Best-Practices Orientation | 360-degree leadership |
| Collaborative Leadership | |
| Transparency Promotion | |
| Adaptive Problem-Solving | |
| Continuous Learning and Development |
And in addition:
Strategic Thinking
Develop and articulate a clear product strategy that aligns with overall business objectives. This includes market analysis, identifying opportunities, and planning for long-term product success.
Business Acumen
The capacity to understand and navigate complex business landscapes, including market dynamics, competitive analysis, and financial implications of product decisions.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Skill in using data and analytics to inform product decisions, measure success, and drive continuous improvement. This involves setting and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and using both quantitative and qualitative data to guide product direction.
Innovation and Adaptability
The capacity to foster innovation within the product development process and adapt quickly to changing market conditions or user needs. This includes staying abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies that could impact the product.
Product Owner Competencies
This role also must demonstrate aspects of:
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Process Management: Ability to apply process management to the development activities. This includes facilitating sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives, as well as managing the product backlog.
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Product Vision Articulation: Skill in clearly defining and communicating the product vision to both the development team and stakeholders. This includes creating and refining user stories that align with the overall product strategy.
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Prioritization and Decision Making: The capacity to make informed decisions about feature prioritization based on business value, user needs, and technical constraints within the context of the long-term product strategy and roadmap. This requires a strong analytical mindset and the ability to balance short-term demands with long-term goals.
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Software Acumen: While not necessarily requiring deep technical skills, a Product Owner needs sufficient technical understanding to effectively collaborate with developers and make informed decisions about product feasibility and trade-offs.