#5 Resources and References for Product Managers

Product management is a dynamic field that requires continuous learning and staying updated with the latest industry trends and best practices. As a product manager, having access to valuable resources and references can significantly contribute to your professional growth and effectiveness.

Here are a range of useful resources, including books, blogs, podcasts, and communities, that can empower product managers to enhance their skills, expand their knowledge, and stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of product management.

A. Books:

1. “Inspired: How To Create Products Customers Love” by Marty Cagan This book is considered a must-read for product managers. IThis book provides practical guidance on product management, covering topics such as customer research, ideation, prototyping, and roadmap creation. It offers valuable insights into building successful products that resonate with customers.
2. “The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses” by Eric Ries Although not solely focused on product management, this book introduces the concept of lean startup methodology and offers actionable strategies for validating ideas, iterating quickly, and building products that meet market demand.
3. “Product Leadership: How Top Product Managers Launch Awesome Products and Build Successful Teams” by Richard Banfield, Martin Eriksson, and Nate Walkingshaw. This book explores the role of product leadership and how product managers can lead successful product teams,covering topics such as product vision, strategy, team management, and effective collaboration.
4. “Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products” by Nir Eyal Nir Eyal delves into the psychology behind habit-forming products and provides a framework for building products that keep users engaged.
5. “Escaping the Build Trap: How Effective Product Management Creates Real Value” by Melissa Perri This book focuses on how product managers can escape the “build trap” and deliver products that create real value for customers and the business.
6. “Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology” by Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie Bavaro Geared towards aspiring product managers, this book offers guidance and tips for acing product management interviews.
7. “Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days” by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, and Braden Kowitz While not solely about product management, this book introduces the concept of design sprints, which can be valuable for product development.
8. “Radical Focus: Achieving Your Most Important Goals with Objectives and Key Results” by Christina Wodtke This book provides insights into setting clear objectives and key results (OKRs) to align teams and measure progress.
9. “The Product Book: How to Become a Great Product Manager” by Product School Written by Product School, this book offers a comprehensive overview of product management, including best practices and industry insights.
10. “The Design of Everyday Things” by Don Norman This classic book explores the principles of design and usability, helping product managers create products that are intuitive and user-friendly.
11. “User Story Mapping: Discover the Whole Story, Build the Right Product” by Jeff Patton Jeff provides practical guidance on user story mapping, a technique used to define product features and align stakeholders.
12. “The Lean Product Playbook: How to Innovate with Minimum Viable Products and Rapid Customer Feedback” by Dan Olsen This book offers a systematic approach to building successful products through the use of minimum viable products (MVPs) and customer feedback.
13. “Lean Analytics: Use Data to Build a Better Startup Faster” by Alistair Croll and Benjamin Yoskovitz While primarily targeted at startups, this book provides valuable insights on using data and metrics to make informed product decisions.
14. “Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity” by Kim Scott Although not exclusively about product management, this book offers valuable advice on effective leadership and communication.
15. “Product Mastery: From Good to Great Product Ownership” by Geoff Watts Geoff provides practical tips and techniques for becoming a great product owner.
16. “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler Effective communication is crucial for product managers, and this book offers insights on navigating difficult conversations.
17. “Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters” by Richard P. Rumelt Richard Rumelt explores the principles of effective strategy development, which is essential for product managers crafting product roadmaps.

B. Blogs and Online Publications:

1. Product Coalition : A community-driven platform that publishes articles, case studies, and interviews on various product management topics. It offers a diverse range of insights from experienced product managers and industry experts. Website: Product Coalition

2. Mind the Product : A popular blog and resource hub for product managers, featuring articles, podcasts, and videos on product management best practices, innovation, and industry trends. Website: Mind the Product

3. Product Talk : A blog by Teresa Torres, a product discovery coach, that focuses on product discovery and user research. It offers valuable insights and practical advice on customer-centric product development. Website : producttalk.org

4. ProductPlan Blog: The blog of ProductPlan, a product roadmap software company, provides valuable resources on product strategy, roadmapping, and prioritization. Website: ProductPlan Blog

5. ProductCraft: A blog by Pendo, focused on product management and design. It offers insights from industry experts and practical tips for product teams. Website: ProductCraft

6. Aha! Blog: A blog by Aha!, a product roadmap software company. It offers thought leadership on product management, strategy, and roadmapping. Website: Aha! Blog

7. Roman Pichler’s Blog: Roman Pichler is a renowned product management expert and his blog offers in-depth articles and advice on various product management topics. Website: Roman Pichler’s Blog

8. The Clever PM: This blog features articles on product management, leadership, and career development for product managers. Website: The Clever PM

9. Silicon Valley Product Group (SVPG): SVPG’s blog features insights from Marty Cagan, a well-known product management thought leader, and his team. Website: SVPG Blog

10. Product Manager HQ: A blog and resource hub for product managers, offering articles, templates, and interview guides. Website: Product Manager HQ

11. Product Management Insider: This blog provides industry updates, insights, and interviews with product leaders. Website: Product Management Insider

C. Podcasts:

1. “The Product Podcast” by Product School: My personal Favorite. Hosted by Carlos González de Villaumbrosia, this podcast features interviews with top product management professionals. It covers a wide range of topics, including product strategy, user experience, and career growth. Website: The Product Podcast
2. “This is Product Management” by Alpha: Each episode of this podcast features in-depth conversations with product leaders, discussing their experiences, strategies, and insights into successful product management. Website: This is Product Management
3. “Product to Product” — Hosted by Roadmunk, this podcast delves into the challenges and insights of product management, featuring guest speakers from successful companies. Website: Product to Product
4. “Masters of Scale” — While not solely focused on product management, this podcast, hosted by Reid Hoffman, features entrepreneurs and leaders who share their experiences scaling their products and companies. Website: Masters of Scale
5. “The Everyday Innovator” — Hosted by Chad McAllister, this podcast focuses on product development, innovation, and strategies for successful product management. Website: The Everyday Innovator
6. “Rocketship.fm” — This podcast covers various aspects of product development, including interviews with product managers and discussions on growth strategies. Website: Rocketship.fm
7. “Product Breakfast Club” — Hosted by Jake Knapp and Jonathan Courtney, this podcast covers product management, design sprints, and creative problem-solving. Website: Product Breakfast Club
8. “Inside Intercom Podcast” — While not exclusively focused on product management, this podcast by Intercom explores design, product development, and customer experience. Website: Inside Intercom Podcast
9. “Build” — Hosted by Maggie Crowley and Molly Sauter, this podcast focuses on product development, product-led growth, and features interviews with industry experts. Website: Build

D. Communities and Networking:

1. Product Management Insider Community: An online community focused on product management, offering forums for discussions, networking opportunities, and access to valuable resources. Website: Product Management Insider Community
2. Product School Slack Community: Product School hosts a Slack community where product managers can interact, seek advice, and participate in various channels dedicated to specific product management topics. Website: Product School Slack Community
3. Mind the Product Community: A global community for product managers with local chapters in different cities. It provides a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and access to exclusive events and conferences. Website: Mind the Product Community
4. Product Management LinkedIn Groups: LinkedIn hosts several active groups for product managers, such as “Product Management: Agile, Lean, and Beyond” and “Product Management Community.” Website: LinkedIn Product Management Groups
5. Product Coalition Slack Community: The Product Coalition community on Slack offers channels for product discussions, career advice, and sharing industry insights. Website: Product Coalition Slack Community
6. Reddit r/ProductManagement: Reddit’s Product Management subreddit is a vibrant community where product managers can ask questions, share experiences, and engage in discussions. Website: r/ProductManagement
7. ProductTank Meetups: ProductTank hosts local meetups in various cities worldwide, providing opportunities for product managers to network and attend insightful talks from industry experts. Website: ProductTank
8. Meetup.com: Look for local product management meetup groups in your city on Meetup.com. Many cities have their own product management communities hosting regular events and gatherings. Website: Meetup
9. Conferences and Webinars: Attend product management conferences and webinars to meet other professionals and expand your network. Events like Mind the Product, ProductCon, and others offer networking opportunities.

As a product manager, continuous learning and engagement with the product management community are essential for professional growth. The resources and references mentioned above, including books, blogs, podcasts, and networking opportunities, provide valuable insights, practical advice, and a platform for knowledge exchange. Embrace these resources, stay curious, and continue to expand your skill set to excel in the dynamic and exciting field of product management.

Remember, the learning journey never ends, and as Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, said,

“The fastest way to change yourself is to hang out with people who are already the way you want to be.”

So, leverage these resources and connect with the vibrant product management community to embark on a path of continuous improvement and success.

Resources and References for Product Managers #smartPM medium.com/@smartPM (Copyright: TheSmartPM)

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