Think Like a Product Manager in 30 Minutes

[@patrickdemay3962]

I'm starting as a PM in a few weeks and this video just confirmed that I've made the right choice!

[@katharinaalf]

That’s so great to hear! All the best with your new role 🙌

[@JobEasy-q7v]

Can an International Student on F1 visa apply for PM roles? Please help me in reshaping my career

[@ZainabBawaMamush]

how is your journey so far? i just started PM journey last month

[@sidexplores]

Such a clear, non sugar-coated and authentic video. Absolutely love it. You've gained a subscriber Katharina. Looking forward to your content

[@pedal_pixels]

Not gonna lie. I was a bit intimidted in pursuing a PM role coming from a niche position in the wayfinding industry. That overwhelming feeling of not knowing what road to pursue is no joke. This content here completely flipped that around. Just finished a UX botcamp and already have much of these hard and soft skills. So thank you for this information! It really did help someone who's been going crazy for the last few months. :)

[@Bkzzlovely21]

Thank you soooo much for this video. I’m a Military Systems Maintainer Shop Foreman (software and hardware) and after being apart of new equipment fielding, I realized I want to be apart of the design cycle of systems. And this sounds like the perfect role for me as I’m applying for my Masters in Info Tech. 🎉 Will include how my experience in the Army will help me with the soft skills needed as a PM in my essay. Thank you! I’ll be finishing my service June 2026, so can’t wait for the next chapter!

[@eunicesimi3452]

Great video Katharina! Thank you for summarizing our discipline. I have been in PM for 40 years, and you are correct: there is never a 'quiet' day. I have been going and going and going...and going. The only part of your video I disagree with is the responsibility of product managers to get involved in production issues, e.g., site is unavailable or backend database is not responding, etc. I train product managers to defer production issues or fixes to the engineering and operations teams since production is their responsibility. I also liked the section on the reasons for not becoming a product manager; I have seen many people leaving product management for all the reasons you list. When I interview candidates who are starting out, I go through this list in scenario playing to tease out where this person will have challenges in this role. Finally, after 40 years, I emphatically agree with you that this role is very challenging, hell very difficult most days, but rewarding in the end. Cheers!

[@katharinaalf]

Thank you! 🙏 wow 40 years, that’s incredible! Love your insights.

[@katharinaalf]

Yes production issues should be the engineering team’s responsibility. What would be your tip to train them to take responsibility on that? because in some companies this is not common practice unfortunately leaving it up to the PM to get involved a lot.

[@eunicesimi3452]

@@katharinaalf We all want to feel we own some aspect of our jobs. My selling point to Engineering has been, 'you don't need your product manager's permission to stop net-new development and fix the production issue. A production issue is a broken promise made to our clients. You have the authority to move that issue to the top of the backlog. Your product manager is not permitted to challenge your decision. Please discuss with product manager or come see me if your PM disagrees." I said this to my new product managers from Day One to ensure they do not have the final say on the scope of any sprint.

[@katharinaalf]

@@eunicesimi3452 nice thank you! That’s very helpful 🙌

[@zaralin9825]

Thank you! This is the most informative video i've seen on PM. I hope more people come across this video. God bless you with more followers!

[@katharinaalf]

Thank you so much! ☀️☀️☀️

[@zaralin9825]

@@katharinaalfYou are welcome, thank you for replying. I see that you are a product owner now, so that means you are your own boss right? That's wonderful cos you're deserving. Keep up the good work!

[@Branndough]

Seeing the example schedule at the end was very nice. I'm always looking for real world examples. Been a PM for almost 3 years now at EA and since its been my only PM job it's great seeing how others in various companies operate.

[@katharinaalf]

Thank you!😊

[@jennywithay8344]

Thanks for making this video! I'm trying to decide my path into product and whether I should start as a product owner or product manager

[@katharinaalf]

Try both! That way you will know. They have many parallels 😊

[@javmoya]

I am a product manager, and what Katharina says is 100% true. Excellent information; thank you for sharing.

[@alina.levyshkina]

Love thins video! I used to haaate saying 'no', this is so relatable. But with a slight mindset shift it's become a lot easier. Now I think that I am saying 'no' the unimportant stuff, and the people I'm saying 'no' to also would love me to focus on the most important things 🤌

[@katharinaalf]

Thank you so much! Yes true! I feel like saying no is the most important and helpful PM skill 🙌😊

[@annfender]

Could you please make a video about requirement gathering? What sort of questions you ask your stakeholder when they request for a feature? And how do you say no to certain requests?

[@shailysahoo4606]

It was so structured, clear and really informative video around the job of PM in the IT industry. I really liked the video and also subscribed your channel. Keep sharing more videos like this one. Love from India 🥰

[@katharinaalf]

Thank you so much! Means a lot! More videos coming soon ☺️

[@kavitapant2666]

Thank you for doing this Katharina. I'd love to join your PM workshop if there is one upcoming. Best wishes! 💌

[@katharinaalf]

Aww thank you! There is none upcoming but I can see if enough people are interested I might run one again. Should I let you know via email?😊

[@rabiyabasri5441]

Pls make a video on PM life for a week separately....

[@bimalbeura]

Very informative, appreciate the details in concise manner.

[@OfureAsotie]

I’m starting out as a product manager and this video was super helpful and informative. For someone who doesn’t have any experience in PM, what do you advise that I do? I have taken some online courses and certifications and I’m currently up-skilling but I do not have any experience as a PM and most applications always ask for experience. Thank you Kat!!

[@katharinaalf]

Hey! Thank you so much for your comment, I'm glad the video helped you :) Congrats for starting out as a PM! It depends on your previous experience. if you have a background in software engineering, business or marketing, you could use those skills to your advantage and share in interviews how those skills would help you as a PM. If you don't have experience in a related field I would try to look for an internship - they are usually a great starting point to get some experience. And if that's not possible I would build my own mini "product". That is: identify a problem someone has, build a website or mini app (there are no-code tools available for this too), and then take steps to "validate" it and see if someone wants it. If you want I can make a video on this and elaborate :)

[@OfureAsotie]

@@katharinaalf thank you so much I’m have a HR, operations and multidisciplinary administrative background. Does that help? I’ll appreciate it if you can do a video on that.

[@katharinaalf]

That definitely helps! Even though I don't have a background in any of these fields there are definitely skills like prioritising, project management and people management that you can take from these roles into product management :) I will plan a video on the top 'transferable' skills you might need as a PM which you can take from other roles. Maybe that will help? :)@@OfureAsotie

[@cb1689]

I fell into role but now need to develop my skills

[@dishankshah5080]

Can you share that day to day tasks and meeting calendar?

[@katharinaalf]

They are in the video :) or how would you want me to share them?

[@Peacelover1234]

Is there a technique to improve probkem solving skill?

[@paullebuka]

Thank so much for this video ! ❤

[@sivaarwin8816]

How to do a roadmap kathi can you help me with this in a video

[@xilin5690]

I was wondering which university's PM program you attended?😀

[@JonnyJonson0304]

Very nice video, but you're link to you're workshop is not workin :(

[@katharinaalf]

Thank you for letting me know! I need to update the link. I changed some details about the event that’s why it probably didn’t work. Here’s the link: www.eventbrite.com/e/get-into-product-management-from-overwhelmed-to-confident-tickets-687221216157?aff=oddtdtcreator

[@rosepeony]

I have a fashion design degree, worked in the industry but it is unsatisfying to me. I'm thinking whether I should get into PM, was wonderjng whether I need yo know coding and UX design? Btw amazing video. Thanks you ❤ design?

[@katharinaalf]

As a PM you will be more of a generalist meaning you need to know a bit about a lot of things but you’re likely not an expert in one thing. So yes I would learn the basics of UX design and also a little bit of coding - what’s more important to learn though is learning how to work with engineers and ask the right questions :)

[@KasiaZ]

What an interesting content - I enjoyed it so so much to the point I signed up to the event in September :)))

[@katharinaalf]

awesome! thank you so much! :)

[@KasiaZ]

@@katharinaalf I have also posted on my Linkedin about the event, hopefully it attracts some traffic

[@BSMikkel]

I've been a PO/Sr. PO for about 5 years in a cca. 10.000 employee company, market leader in their segment. As you mention "Product management"/"Product ownership" means different things depending on the company/size/product, but essentially I think you nailed it. The "feeling of being lonely" becomes clear when you have persistent stakeholders on one side and a team of highly skilled experts on the other pushing back. This is where your diplomatic skills should set in and ofc your ability to put your foot down/make unpopular (but right) devisisions. One hour lunches? Good luck with that timeboxing :D

[@itstuelo]

Very informative thank you

[@sikkaaaishere]

Thank you for the video!

[@katharinaalf]

You’re welcome!

[@HafizAbdullahSWE]

Thank you so much ma'am!

[@MOMO-YYDS]

thanks

[@Lucas-y5k3v]

thnaks