10 answers
Sam
Student
United States
1
Question
Updated
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What are some actionable goals a junior PM/PO might have?
I recently got extended for a junior PM/PO based role. My manager asked my what types of goals I have in mind that they can help me achieve during my time in this position. The thing is I have reasons why I want to be a junior PM/PO but I don't really have specific goals in mind. I just want to learn and gain experience, and I don't want it to come off as I'm not serious about my position. I'm also a junior so it's not like I'm in charge of an entire product/managing a team. I've also still yet to receive my list of specific responsibilities for the role so until I get that I guess the only things I want to get better at are:
- Getting better at conducting market research in terms of our competitors
- Foster strong relationships with development/ design team to ensure everyone is aligned with what we are working on
Does anyone have suggestions?
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10 answers
Garroch Neil
Sr. Director of Product Management
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Garroch’s Answer
This might sound a bit odd considering you've already landed the job, but go out and study some typical Product Management case interview questions. I'm particularly fond of Meta's interview loop that touches on execution/operating competencies, product sense, and analytical know-how. Study things like prioritization frameworks (e.g. RICE method) and tactics for responding comprehensively to a case question (e.g. the CIRCLES method).
This isn't to say that you should approach every problem you face in your job as an interview question--that would lead to some pretty boring-sounding emails to your stakeholders! But what this will do is familiarize you with the questions you need to be asking, and the angles you need to be considering, as you prioritize use cases and individual features for your team. Over time, this will build into an ability to form a product vision and longer-term strategy for your team, then multiple teams, then eventually an entire product organization!
Day-to-day, you should focus on a few things that should help you in your job:
1. Learn about your company's product front-to-back. If possible, become a user/subscriber and spend several hours in it.
2. Form a very close relationship with your stakeholders (probably in business, marketing, sales, etc.). Go beyond the task at hand; learn about them as people and get to know them; be a sounding board. One element for success as a PM is to establish yourself as a willing partner that your stakeholders can approach to help them solve problems.
3. Understand the opportunities and constraints of your business. How does the company think about opportunities to expand? What constraints or risks exist that would stop them from achieving this? Keep these things in the back of your mind as you think through features and requirements you're tasked with. Why are we building the stuff that we're building? What gets better? Who benefits? Your own clarity of understanding, and your ability to articulate your understanding to others, will help your team do better work.
4. Ensure you're aligned with your chain of command. A big part of the job of product management is translating strategic imperatives down to deliverables. Everybody in the chain of command, from Director to Group Product Manager to Staff/Sr. PMs and associate PMs, plays a role in distilling this information. Alignment and clarity is key.
5. Recognize that product development doesn't happen in a vacuum. UX and Engineering need to have equal seats at the table. Figure out how to involve them early and often in constructive ways.
Congratulations and best of luck in your new role!
This isn't to say that you should approach every problem you face in your job as an interview question--that would lead to some pretty boring-sounding emails to your stakeholders! But what this will do is familiarize you with the questions you need to be asking, and the angles you need to be considering, as you prioritize use cases and individual features for your team. Over time, this will build into an ability to form a product vision and longer-term strategy for your team, then multiple teams, then eventually an entire product organization!
Day-to-day, you should focus on a few things that should help you in your job:
1. Learn about your company's product front-to-back. If possible, become a user/subscriber and spend several hours in it.
2. Form a very close relationship with your stakeholders (probably in business, marketing, sales, etc.). Go beyond the task at hand; learn about them as people and get to know them; be a sounding board. One element for success as a PM is to establish yourself as a willing partner that your stakeholders can approach to help them solve problems.
3. Understand the opportunities and constraints of your business. How does the company think about opportunities to expand? What constraints or risks exist that would stop them from achieving this? Keep these things in the back of your mind as you think through features and requirements you're tasked with. Why are we building the stuff that we're building? What gets better? Who benefits? Your own clarity of understanding, and your ability to articulate your understanding to others, will help your team do better work.
4. Ensure you're aligned with your chain of command. A big part of the job of product management is translating strategic imperatives down to deliverables. Everybody in the chain of command, from Director to Group Product Manager to Staff/Sr. PMs and associate PMs, plays a role in distilling this information. Alignment and clarity is key.
5. Recognize that product development doesn't happen in a vacuum. UX and Engineering need to have equal seats at the table. Figure out how to involve them early and often in constructive ways.
Congratulations and best of luck in your new role!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3824
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Greetings Sam, from the USA. This is James reaching out from Australia, ready to address your inquiry promptly.
You're wondering about potential objectives a novice PM/PO could set, right?
Recently, my contract was extended for a novice PM/PO role. My supervisor asked me about the goals I'd like to achieve in this position, which they could assist me with. The issue is, while I have reasons for wanting to be a junior PM/PO, I don't have precise goals yet. My main aim is to learn and gain experience, but I don't want this to be perceived as a lack of seriousness about my role. I'm still a novice, so I'm not overseeing an entire product or managing a team yet. I'm also still waiting for my list of specific responsibilities for this role.
It's perfectly normal for someone in a junior PM/PO role, like yourself, to not have precise goals yet. It's typical for those in junior roles to focus on learning and gaining experience. However, it's crucial to convey your ambitions and demonstrate your dedication to the role. Here are some goal suggestions that can reflect your seriousness and commitment:
1. Gain a deep understanding of the product: One of your main duties as a junior PM/PO is to understand the product or service you're working on. Set a goal to fully comprehend the product's features, functionalities, and value proposition. This will allow you to effectively communicate with stakeholders, collect requirements, and make informed decisions.
2. Enhance your project management skills: Project management is a key part of being a PM/PO. Set goals to improve your project management skills by learning about various methodologies (like Agile or Waterfall), understanding project planning and execution processes, and getting familiar with project management tools. This will enable you to efficiently manage tasks, timelines, and resources.
3. Improve your communication and collaboration skills: Effective communication and collaboration are vital for success in any role, especially as a PM/PO who interacts with various stakeholders. Set goals to enhance your communication skills by practicing active listening, asking clarifying questions, and delivering clear and concise messages. Additionally, strive to build strong relationships with team members, stakeholders, and customers to encourage collaboration and teamwork.
While you're waiting for your list of specific responsibilities, these goals can act as a foundation for your development as a junior PM/PO. Once you receive your responsibilities, you can align these goals with the specific tasks and expectations outlined by your manager.
Remember, being a junior doesn't lessen the importance of setting goals. It shows your commitment to personal growth and professional development. By continuously striving to improve in these areas, you'll be better prepared to take on more responsibilities and progress in your PM/PO career.
Top 2 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names:
1. Project Management Institute (PMI) - www.pmi.org
2. Harvard Business Review - hbr.org
Organic Web Results:
10 results
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Best regards, JCF.
You're wondering about potential objectives a novice PM/PO could set, right?
Recently, my contract was extended for a novice PM/PO role. My supervisor asked me about the goals I'd like to achieve in this position, which they could assist me with. The issue is, while I have reasons for wanting to be a junior PM/PO, I don't have precise goals yet. My main aim is to learn and gain experience, but I don't want this to be perceived as a lack of seriousness about my role. I'm still a novice, so I'm not overseeing an entire product or managing a team yet. I'm also still waiting for my list of specific responsibilities for this role.
It's perfectly normal for someone in a junior PM/PO role, like yourself, to not have precise goals yet. It's typical for those in junior roles to focus on learning and gaining experience. However, it's crucial to convey your ambitions and demonstrate your dedication to the role. Here are some goal suggestions that can reflect your seriousness and commitment:
1. Gain a deep understanding of the product: One of your main duties as a junior PM/PO is to understand the product or service you're working on. Set a goal to fully comprehend the product's features, functionalities, and value proposition. This will allow you to effectively communicate with stakeholders, collect requirements, and make informed decisions.
2. Enhance your project management skills: Project management is a key part of being a PM/PO. Set goals to improve your project management skills by learning about various methodologies (like Agile or Waterfall), understanding project planning and execution processes, and getting familiar with project management tools. This will enable you to efficiently manage tasks, timelines, and resources.
3. Improve your communication and collaboration skills: Effective communication and collaboration are vital for success in any role, especially as a PM/PO who interacts with various stakeholders. Set goals to enhance your communication skills by practicing active listening, asking clarifying questions, and delivering clear and concise messages. Additionally, strive to build strong relationships with team members, stakeholders, and customers to encourage collaboration and teamwork.
While you're waiting for your list of specific responsibilities, these goals can act as a foundation for your development as a junior PM/PO. Once you receive your responsibilities, you can align these goals with the specific tasks and expectations outlined by your manager.
Remember, being a junior doesn't lessen the importance of setting goals. It shows your commitment to personal growth and professional development. By continuously striving to improve in these areas, you'll be better prepared to take on more responsibilities and progress in your PM/PO career.
Top 2 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names:
1. Project Management Institute (PMI) - www.pmi.org
2. Harvard Business Review - hbr.org
Organic Web Results:
10 results
www.careervillage.org
As a junior PM, it's crucial to align your objectives with those of the senior PM, focusing on the success of the product or project. While you' ...
www.careervillage.org
Career Questions tagged Product Management
I recently got extended for a junior PM/PO based role. My manager asked my what types of goals I have in mind that they can help me achieve during my time ...
www.projectcentral.com
7 Examples of Professional Goals for Project Management
Workplace goals can help you achieve even more. A professional goal is a statement that defines the goals you will seek out in your career or in ...
www.atlassian.com
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A product manager is the person who identifies the customer need and the larger business objectives that a product or feature will fulfill, articulates what ...
www.indeed.com
41 Project Manager Interview Questions (Plus Sample Answers)
Learn about 41 project manager interview questions you may receive when interviewing for such roles and read about strategies you can use .
www.linkedin.com
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The goal of this interview is for us to get to know you better, and for you to ask any questions you may have. We want to make sure that your ...
clickup.com
Project Management Goals: 11 Examples for Managers in 2023
Helpful tools and tips to set and stick to your project management goals with examples to kick off your quarter with a strong start.
www.indeed.com
Interview Question: "What Are Your Short-Term Goals?"
Learn why hiring managers ask about your short-term goals and how to answer this interview question.
www.stxnext.com
Product Owner Responsibilities: The Career Path from Junior to Expert
The PO will take the lead in numerous areas of product development; however, their role will vary depending on the work environment and your individual needs.
theproductmanager.com
Product Owner vs Product Manager: Differences, Salary, Roles
The PM role can vary slightly from company to company and can, but not necessarily include, analyzing market trends, analyzing market trends, conducting a survey.
This should help clarify the PM/PO Function.
Best regards, JCF.
Keyston Rice
Supervisor
180
Answers
Lawrence, IN
Updated
Keyston’s Answer
Congrats on the extension! As a fellow junior, I get where you're coming from. Consider setting goals like improving your communication with the development and design teams, enhancing your understanding of market trends, and gaining insights from senior PMs/POs to build a solid foundation. Learning and gaining experience are valid goals that show your dedication. Just remember, growth comes step by step.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.
Sam
Paul Welford
Chief Operating Officer
3
Answers
Kuwait City, Al Asimah Governate, Kuwait
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Congratulations. I suggest that in order to come up with learning goals for a junior PM/PO you could think about developing the generic PM/PO skills as opposed to those that are only specific to your organisation. For example, PM’s don’t always do market research but they always:
have to plan tasks ahead, estimating how long it will take, what resources will be needed, what interdependencies will be affected, perhaps putting all this into a mini project plan. As a junior you may not be required to do this yourself yet but you can certainly gain valuable insight into the process and develop the skills, just by thinking about hire your aspects will feed into someone else’s bigger project plan.
This way you are both thinking about skills development that will be useful in your own organisation and that are transferable in future.
Other skills might be: following up on tasks already agreed to estimate hire complete they are, is the project on time, on scope, on budget, etc.
Hope that helps.
have to plan tasks ahead, estimating how long it will take, what resources will be needed, what interdependencies will be affected, perhaps putting all this into a mini project plan. As a junior you may not be required to do this yourself yet but you can certainly gain valuable insight into the process and develop the skills, just by thinking about hire your aspects will feed into someone else’s bigger project plan.
This way you are both thinking about skills development that will be useful in your own organisation and that are transferable in future.
Other skills might be: following up on tasks already agreed to estimate hire complete they are, is the project on time, on scope, on budget, etc.
Hope that helps.
Atul Bhankharia
Sales
456
Answers
Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Updated
Atul’s Answer
As a junior PM, it's crucial to align your objectives with those of the senior PM, focusing on the success of the product or project. While you're free to set your own targets, remember to align them with the senior members of your team.
Your main objective should be to assist your team in defining a feature set for the product that resonates with customers and current market trends. Identify the prevailing market trends and unique, innovative offerings from competitors.
Given that you can't be everywhere at once, it's essential to establish a priority list, determining what needs to be tackled immediately and what can be deferred. It's a common scenario for the sales team to want everything done immediately, and your role is to help manage their expectations while maintaining focus.
Your main objective should be to assist your team in defining a feature set for the product that resonates with customers and current market trends. Identify the prevailing market trends and unique, innovative offerings from competitors.
Given that you can't be everywhere at once, it's essential to establish a priority list, determining what needs to be tackled immediately and what can be deferred. It's a common scenario for the sales team to want everything done immediately, and your role is to help manage their expectations while maintaining focus.
Howard Christiansen
Professor
48
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Howard’s Answer
strong mentor, life coach ,demonstrates concern for all students thus improving retention
Mark Albert
Director of Product
2
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Mark’s Answer
As a Product Manager, one of your exciting tasks would be to dive into the complete journey of product development. You'll start from the birth of ideas and concepts, move on to the design phase, write captivating stories, delve into the world of coding, and finally, witness the creation of functioning software. This will provide you with a firsthand experience of everything that goes into crafting amazing products.
A G
Support to a system
2
Answers
Guadalajara
Updated
A’s Answer
I highly encourage you to familiarize yourself with the system you're managing. Also, don't forget to pay close attention to the stakeholders and their requirements. It's crucial to understand their needs to ensure success.
Phil Reeves
Program Manager
8
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Phil’s Answer
Some suggested objectives in gaining skills and experience as PM/PO:
- Learn comprehensively the functionality and business purpose of the product. What value does it provide to users, consumers, etc.
- What is the future direction of the product ... grow user base or market share; expand or enhance functionality, etc.
- Organize tasks (action items, to do list) and open issues (questions, decisions to be made) into written list (in Excel is good).
- Track progress of those items and be able to concisely provide updates on status and issues to management and to the team.
- Learn about the technology used in enough detail to understand the terminology, the acronyms, and the types of software used.
- Learn about testing: unit testing, functional testing, integration testing, regression testing, test cases, expected results.
- Learn comprehensively the functionality and business purpose of the product. What value does it provide to users, consumers, etc.
- What is the future direction of the product ... grow user base or market share; expand or enhance functionality, etc.
- Organize tasks (action items, to do list) and open issues (questions, decisions to be made) into written list (in Excel is good).
- Track progress of those items and be able to concisely provide updates on status and issues to management and to the team.
- Learn about the technology used in enough detail to understand the terminology, the acronyms, and the types of software used.
- Learn about testing: unit testing, functional testing, integration testing, regression testing, test cases, expected results.
Mark Eagle
CTO
34
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Great job! You've already set your targets in your write-up. As soon as your boss hands over tasks to you, you can transform these targets into SMART goals. Think of goals as milestones you wish to reach. By aligning your goals with the projects assigned to you, you're sure to reach these milestones.
However, if your goals don't match the job, don't worry. With the experience you've gained and your understanding of different roles, you can always explore other opportunities.
Meet with boss and discuss the project goals.
Determine SMART goals to align your and theirs.
However, if your goals don't match the job, don't worry. With the experience you've gained and your understanding of different roles, you can always explore other opportunities.
Mark recommends the following next steps:
The Ai is a bit too folksy in my opinion. The questions are from people that are at the early end of their journey. It is important not to discourage them, however, not to overwhelm them all all sorts of random advice. Most of the questions show that people have very little understanding of where they are against a 4 + year outcome with the reality of finance. I think the AI needs to be vetted against a successful outcome. Bad advice is worst then no advice Down the road, the AI can compare the answers people give to something to determine if those are action steps it would recommend. Perhaps give a score to the answer for the person asking the question of 1-5.
Mark Eagle
Hey Mark, do you mean that the AI answer feature on the platform and are you referring to the way it changed your advice?
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Gurpreet, I misunderstood, that this comment was not to be visible and was an internal comment regarding feedback for the AI. I sent you an email detailing my feedback. thanks. It changes advice extremely well. However, some of the advice looks totally canned as if the person answering the question , put the question into chat. You can expand the platform to do that, but that is going to give personal opinions or feedback.
Mark Eagle