How can a PM distinguish their work from that of a Product Manager and actually have it be impactful? Saving Changes...
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Mikel SteadmanPMO Leader| Development Dimensions InternationalTroy, Nh, United States
Not knowing the organizational structure that you may be experiencing, I have thoughts on a PM distinguishing themselves vs other PMs and Product Managers.
Attach yourself to innovative or evolutionary projects.
Organize and drive impactful meetings with Stakeholders, SteerCo, and Execs.
Be thorough in the bottom-up planning process.
Manage awareness, education, and alignment of risks, schedule, and cost to keep the project on time and under budget.
Deliver real Value Realization (This project reduced, expanded, unlocked or solved "x")(Surpass Charter expectations) Saving Changes...
Product managers have special responsibility for driving the development of products. Project managers, instead, are responsible for overseeing the execution of development and control plans to create these products.
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1 reply by Rami Kaibni
Sep 03, 2019 12:42 AM
Rami Kaibni
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Great answer Veronica, you nailed it - Straight to the point !
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Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Both answers above are very valuable. I think @Verónica has put on the table the diferences between both roles. With that plus adding @Mikel statement about value delivery and realization you will get the full answer. Just to add something remember that we are working in creating solutions to business problems where solution is equal to "the thing" to be created plus "the process" to create it. So, there is other critical role to add: business analyst. Saving Changes...
They are complimentary roles. Although sometimes done by the same person acting is both, often each individual role is all consuming. The product team is freed up by having a PM translate their product ideas into an executable plan.
Although I have worked where people consider the PM as a primarily administrative function, it is a far more important function than that. My primary role is not making charts and running meetings for someone else; it is determining the most effective way to communicate a number of important things, in a short format, so that everyone is working to the same plan.
In a lot of ways, the PM is like the drummer in a band, or the conductor of an orchestra. They set the rhythm and keep everyone synchronized while they perform their art. If the music is to be in harmony, the notes must be played at the right time. Saving Changes...
Some years ago I worked for a software company and the roles of project manager and product manager were mutually exclusive.
The software product development department was maintaining and enhancing the product and was working only with Product Manager an no Project Managers.
The department was not working with projects and was not delivering directly to customers but instead they were releasing new versions of the product that the customers had to upgrade. Customers were paying licensing fees to use the product.
The Services Department was implementing the software to customers and also was doing custom software development. The Services department was working with projects and project managers but not with product managers.
If your product development activity is ongoing and there is no fixed budget to deliver fixed scope then I don't think you need project management and project management specialists but just product managers.
If you are developing and delivering custom products that fit the needs of a customer and you are doing it for a fixed budget and deliver a fixed scope then you need project management but not product management. At least this is my opinion based only on experience. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Product Manager is responsible for the product for the organization to be created. The Project Manager is responsible for turning the vision into a result, within the timeframe and budget.
The structure and roles depend on the organization. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Sep 02, 2019 10:15 AM
Replying to Verónica Elizabeth Pozo Ruiz
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Product managers have special responsibility for driving the development of products. Project managers, instead, are responsible for overseeing the execution of development and control plans to create these products.
Great answer Veronica, you nailed it - Straight to the point ! Saving Changes...
Can a PMO house both Project Managers and Product Managers? Or should they remain separate? Thoughts? Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
The distinction is not in the title, but in the focus. Project Management exists to deliver change with discipline, within clear constraints. Product Management exists to maximize value over time, guided by market and strategy.
Real impact emerges when a Project Manager moves beyond tasks and timelines and explicitly connects each delivery to the value the product is meant to create. Without that link, efficiency risks becoming irrelevant.
PMI itself acknowledges this intersection through the Project Management Meets Product Management course, not to blur roles, but to strengthen collaboration, shared language, and impact. Saving Changes...
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