How To Become A Product Manager

Product management involves the intersection between business, technology, and user experience. A product manager otherwise referred to as a PM can work in all sorts of organizations from Amazon to PayPal to Uber e.t.c

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Who Is A Product Manager?

A product manager is a professional who is responsible for the overall success of a product. He or she pinpoints the consumer need and bigger corporate goals that a feature will address and rallies a team to make that vision a reality. The responsibilities of a product manager vary depending on the organization but generally, a product manager decides what products and software to build, and helps manage research, design, user testing, and marketing strategy. They identify customer needs and business objectives for a particular product or project. A product manager articulates what success looks like and rallies team members to help turn that vision into reality.

What Is Project Management

Product management is an organizational structure mechanism that addresses every facet of a product or service, from its conception to its development to its marketing. It serves as the foundation of every successful business, in a way. It is nearly impossible for businesses to grow their brand and use it to sell other products and services without a stellar focal product.

Job Description Of A Product Manager

• Gain a deep understanding of customer experience, identify and fill product gaps and generate new ideas that grow market share, improve customer experience, and drive growth
• Create buy-in for the product vision both internally and with key external partners
• Develop product pricing and positioning strategies
• Translate product strategy into detailed requirements and prototypes
• Scope and prioritize activities based on business and customer impact
• Work closely with engineering teams to deliver quick time-to-market and optimal resources
• Drive product launches including working with the public relations team, executives, and other product management team members
• Evaluate promotional plans to ensure that they are consistent with product line strategy and that the message is effectively conveyed
• Act as a product evangelist to build awareness and understanding
• Represent the company by visiting customers to solicit feedback on company products and services

Skills Required To Work As A Product Manager

• Proven work experience in product management or as an associate product manager
• Proven track record of managing all aspects of a successful product throughout its lifecycle
• Proven ability to develop product and marketing strategies and effectively communicate recommendations to executive management
• Solid technical background with understanding and/or hands-on experience in software development and web technologies
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to roll up one’s sleeves to get the job
• Skilled at working effectively with cross-functional teams in a matrix organization
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• MS/BS degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent preferred

How To Become A Product Manager

1. Build your background knowledge by learning the following fundamentals of product management:

• Product life cycle
• Product development process
• Fundamental product management principles
• Product roadmaps

2. Develop product management skillsets by taking the following courses:

Product Management Fundamentals

Brand and Product Management 

An Introduction to Product Management 

3. Obtain A Product Management Certification

You may want to consider taking any of these courses:

The Product School Product Manager Certification

CareerFoundry Product Management Program

General Assembly’s Product Management Course

The Product Management Certification Course by BrainStation

How Much Does A Product Manager Earn?

The average salary for a Product Manager in Nigeria is ₦250,000 per month in Nigeria. The average Product Manager's salary in Nigeria is ₦3,000,000 per year. However, entry-level Product Manager salary starts at ₦2,550,000 per year while experienced senior Product Managers can earn up to ₦3,450,000 per annum.