Successful product managers<\/a> ensure that products meet user expectations. They also need to contribute to the company’s success. To achieve this, they need a strong knowledge of the market, the users, and the available technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s explore the skills that can help achieve all that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Certain technical skills are indispensable to excel in product management. These skills help you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s discuss those skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Product managers don’t need to be expert coders. Still, technical fluency helps you communicate effectively with the engineering team. You will also understand the possibilities and limitations of technology. And you can assess what engineers can build within given timelines and budgets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Project management<\/a> falls under this category, too. Some companies have dedicated project managers. In other places, a product manager assumes this role. Make sure you know how these two roles interact in your team. Then, learn what a good project manager does and do your best to become one, too. Every technical skill will help you stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Analytical skills are vital for making data-driven decisions. Product managers use data analysis<\/a> to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to back your decisions with solid evidence. Analytical skills can really come in handy with this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Understanding the market is key to building a product that stands out. This involves competitive analysis, trend identification, and user research<\/a>. Analyze the market and identify user needs first. Then, it’ll become easier to pinpoint opportunities for innovation<\/a> and improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roadmapping<\/a> involves planning a product’s future development. You need to set goals and milestones that align with the business’s objectives and user needs. You also need to figure out which features to prioritize and how to pick the most impactful ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effective roadmaps help here. They provide a clear path for development teams and help manage stakeholder expectations. Once you have a set plan, you can determine the order in which you\u2019ll build features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not sure where to start with a product roadmap? Check out our free templates here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Familiarity with AI tools is becoming increasingly important in product management. These tools can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out Canny’s Autopilot \u2013 a brand new suite of AI tools that save you time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to project management, sometimes companies have a dedicated person to handle product marketing<\/a>. Other times, it’s on you. If you assume the role of a product marketing manager, learn about the basics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember: great product managers can do many things well. Understanding product marketing will only help you on your career path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s talk about the soft skills that every product manager needs to succeed. These are just as important as hard skills, if not more, because they help you navigate the human aspects of the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Product sense is an intuitive understanding of what makes a product great. It involves knowing what users value and how to enhance their experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How can you develop it? It goes hand in hand with one of the core hard skills \u2013 user experience. Master user experience (UX) principles<\/a>, and you can design functional and fun-to-use products. This includes understanding user flows, interface design, and usability testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cProduct sense<\/a> is not something you need to be born with. It\u2019s a learned skill, just like any other PM skill.\u201d<\/p>\nJules Walter,<\/a> product lead at Google Gemini<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n A few activities can help develop your product sense:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a strategic vision means seeing the bigger picture. It’s about knowing where you want your product to go and planning the steps to get there. A good product manager:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to think through your product strategy before you start anything else. That’s called strategic thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Product managers are the champions of products and the lead motivators. They need to inspire and keep everyone moving in the right direction. Effective leadership involves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Product managers need to work with and bring together members from different functions. You are the glue between engineering, sales, design, customer success and support, marketing, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Problems are just puzzles to solve. Product managers use critical thinking to find the root causes of issues. Then, they devise smart solutions based on that. This skill is crucial for quick and efficient decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clear communication is essential. It helps when speaking to your team, presenting to stakeholders, or writing an email. Remember \u2013 it’s not just about talking; it’s about listening too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Put yourself in your users’ shoes. User empathy allows you to understand their experiences and needs deeply. Combine it with solid customer research<\/a>, and you can create a product that resonates with its audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Things change fast in product management. Being adaptable and resilient helps you manage the ups and downs. It’s about bouncing back from setbacks and being flexible enough to shift gears when needed. Use any change as an opportunity to improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Example<\/strong>: Netflix’s shift to streaming<\/p>\n\n\n\n Netflix<\/a> originally started as a DVD rental service by mail. As digital media grew, they had to adapt. They anticipated the shift towards on-demand content and transitioned from DVDs to streaming. This pivot required significant investment in technology and new content licensing deals. They also had to educate their customers about the new service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite these challenges, Netflix’s adaptability paid off. They maintained their relevance and became a leader in the entertainment industry. This bold move transformed Netflix into a global streaming giant\u200b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, you have to be a diplomat. Emotional intelligence (EI)<\/a> helps you handle conflicts, manage sensitive situations, and negotiate effectively. It’s about understanding emotions and using that insight to guide your actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to work with many people to build great products. You can\u2019t do it all alone. Having a strong EI can help you collaborate effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We mentioned prioritization in the roadmapping section. There\u2019s also personal prioritization \u2013 how do you decide what to work on first? You have the most crucial task, but how do you break it down and get started?<\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s always a lot to do, but not everything can be a top priority. That’s a prioritization<\/a> skill. Try the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Managing your time well helps you meet deadlines without burning out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can’t do everything yourself. Delegation involves trusting your team with tasks. You need to give them the chance to grow while you focus on other areas. It’s about knowing what to delegate, to whom, and ensuring they have the resources to succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our co-founder Sarah talks about team management and delegation in her latest blog post \u2013 check it out here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Got a great idea? You’ll need to persuade others that it’s worth pursuing. Persuasion is all about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These soft skills blend together to create a well-rounded product manager. <\/p>\n\n\n We’ve covered many essential skills for product managers. Now, let’s dive into how you can acquire and build these skills effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are tons of courses out there tailored to budding product managers. Look for courses that cover both the fundamentals and advanced aspects of product management. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer comprehensive programs from industry experts. There are also specialized product management training programs and bootcamps. They can provide intensive learning experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We’ve put together a list of the best product management certifications here<\/a>. This list features preparation courses you can take, so check it out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Books<\/a> are your best friends when it comes to deep dives into specific topics. Here are a few must-reads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joining product management communities can significantly accelerate your learning. Platforms like ProductHunt<\/a>, ProductSchool<\/a>, and industry-specific groups on LinkedIn and Slack are great. They provide a space to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are endless online resources to tap into. Websites like ProductCoalition<\/a> and Pragmatic Institute<\/a> offer articles, whitepapers, and case studies. Also, use templates and tools these sites provide to practice what you learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We publish educational materials on our blog weekly. Subscribe here so you don’t miss our new content!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Podcasts are a great way to absorb information on the go. Check out podcasts like “Product Love” and “Masters of Scale.” You can hear stories and advice from top product leaders and entrepreneurs. They often talk about common product management problems you might relate to. Knowing that someone else went through the exact same thing is comforting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We’ve checked out a bunch of podcasts and created this list<\/a> of the best ones. Enjoy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blogs are an excellent source of cutting-edge insights and tips. Regularly reading blogs like Silicon Valley Product Group<\/a> can keep you updated on industry trends and best practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have a list of the best product management blogs<\/a> right here. Check it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHard skills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Technical fluency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Analytical skills<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Research and market analysis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Roadmapping<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Free](\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/5705808\/interactive-140611825417.png\")
\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAI tools<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"try-autopilot](\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/5705808\/interactive-165946149675.png\")
\n <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nProduct marketing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Soft skills<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Product sense<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Product](\"https:\/\/canny.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/21522827-3cb5-45d5-b9fe-63fefa4b8ed7_1684x1218.webp\")
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Strategic vision<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Leadership and team management<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Critical thinking and problem-solving<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Communication skills<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
User empathy and customer research<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Adaptability and resilience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Diplomacy and emotional intelligence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Prioritization<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Delegation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Persuasion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Essential](\"https:\/\/canny.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1-scaled.webp\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHow to acquire and build these product management skills<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Courses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Books<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Best](\"https:\/\/canny.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2.webp\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nCommunities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Form](\"https:\/\/no-cache.hubspot.com\/cta\/default\/5705808\/interactive-127905612377.png\")
\n <\/picture>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nPodcasts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Blogs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Events<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n