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product manager vs project manager vs program manager

By December 2, 2020Uncategorized

to get by. Project vs Program Management Planning. We spend a lot of time researching and writing our articles and strive to provide accurate, up-to-date content. A program will rely more on a rolling plan, as multi-year programs will need to adjust their plans as the business changes. Product Manager vs Project Manager vs Program Manager: Tech Roles Explained As a Google PM, I have a good view of the differences between the tech roles of Product Manager, Program Manager and Project Manager. When choosing between a career as a product manager or project manager, one of the topics that comes up is product manager vs project manager salary. I currently work as Director of Product at Lola Travel. I enjoyed this article but I will say it was upsetting that in every instant they used “he” instead of “them” or “they”. The Project Manager’s success can be evaluated based on how close to on time and on/under budget the project was finished. However, our research is meant to aid your own, and we are not acting as licensed professionals. She attended Harvard Business School and was a Product Manager at Kickstarter and Program Manager at Microsoft. These roles all have different histories and slightly different responsibilities. While program managers oversee an interconnected group of projects, project managers manage one individual project. Our philosophy is to research, curate, and provide the best startup feeds and resources to help you succeed in your venture. Learn how your comment data is processed. Project managers ensure the … In Review – Product Manager vs Project Manager: While the titles are similar, as Jennifer noted, there’s a difference between a product manager job description and a project manager job description, although both are leadership roles that are, in a sense, acting like the CEO of a particular aspect of the job. Project Managers have to manage all the risks in the project and mitigate them. To read more of her writing, follow her on Twitter. Pop-culture junkie. A Project Manager is responsible for a project and creates the project plan, allocates assignments, keeps track of the progress and challenges faced and reports them to the concerned stakeholders. These are familiar roles to people yet few seem to know what sets them apart from each other, even in the industry. The answer to this question should be more about what you are looking for from the role. Also Read: Top 10 Metrics Every Product Manager Should Know & Track. The technical program manager helps to ensure that the flow of information between the Product Manager, the Project Manager, and the Engineers from different stacks are … Wee bit self-obsessed.”. It is crucial to clarify what each role means at each specific organization — before you accept one of them. Here, the distinction is made between product manager vs. program manager, rather than project manager vs. program manager. Tell us what you think of this article on Product Manager vs Program Manager vs Project Manager in the comments section. The right question to ask is for product manager vs project manager. The Program Manager vs. the Project Manager “Program is to a project as product line is to a product.” One of our Customer Success teammates at Aha! Thus, the project manager vs program manager dynamic is in place. Product Vs Program Vs Project Manager; Product Vs Program Vs Project Manager. Project managers are more tactical, focusing on the execution side of the project’s life cycle. made this analogy recently during a customer call. She also teaches Product Management for Olin College and General Assembly. She writes on her personal blog and plays pinball in her spare time. Strong Product Management teams have a variety of backgrounds. While these terms are mostly found in the world of technology, you can find them in diverse fields such as marketing and manufacturing as well. 30 Types Of Business Models. There are a couple of other roles like Project Manager or Program Manager … This was very upsetting as a “she” perusing a job in these fields. Project Management consists of risk management, resource management and scope management. Having the same person perform all the roles does justice to neither role, as the focus of Project Management is internal and tactical and the focus of Product Management is customer centricity. Most organizations have separate positions for each. This is also a good time to check out the top 9 courses for product management. Product Managers are responsible for sitting at the intersection of Design, Technology, and Business. The site may also contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. They knew that brand managers’ deep sense of product knowledge and ownership could carry over from consumer to technology — and it did. Product Managers define strategic business objectives which lead to different projects. Their job is to execute the strategy set by the product manager or leadership team. A Project Manager is responsible for delivering a project that meets its requirements on-time, on-budget, and to the required degree of quality. Out and out foodie. The Project Management Institute offers classes and certifications for Project Managers, including the PMP. Ultimately, Product Managers pitch in wherever is needed to increase the likelihood of success. What are you waiting for? Has it ever happened to you that after you've left ... Read more, 6 Basic UX Design Skills Every Product Manager Should Have, Top 10 Metrics Every Product Manager Should Know & Track, Transitioning Into Product Management From Other Roles, The Roles And Responsibilities Of A Product Manager, What Is A Business Model? It has a life-cycle – it is ideated, developed, introduced, marketed and even retired. Program Managers focus on How of a product. In startups, Product Managers are expected to handle Project Management as well sometimes. Program ManagerProgram Manager is the most common title in Seattle. The product manager works cross-functionally between all the different teams working on the product, for it’s ideation and engineering … Ending thoughts on the product manager vs project manager debate The two managers will look at their roles from a different angle. This is a guest post by Ellen Chisa. The product manager sets the vision for the product that needs to be built, gathers requirements, and prioritizes them, while the project manager acts upon this vision and makes sure that it is executed on time and on budget. Product Managers focus on What and Why of a product. Program Manager Role Confusion “PM” is a confusing abbreviation. I considered doing so myself in the past and know a few people who actually have.…, Trepidation. They are responsible for the entire product, from its design to its development to its production. Generally, a program consists of many interrelated projects and hence Project Managers report to Program Managers. Program Manager specifications often have more detail than Product Manager specifications. Complementary roles indeed, but distinct at the same time. The role of a project manager versus a product manager can be confusing, as many of their responsibilities can overlap. Project Management is all about time, cost and quality and the constant trade-offs that have to be decided to keep the project going. There can be multiple projects within the life-cycle of a product. Their focus is on the strategy and implementation of the entire program and thus the responsibilities go far beyond the completion of individual projects, so as to focus on the long-term implications of the program. Since the scope of this role is more broad, detail-level product specifications are sacrificed sometimes. These roles all have different histories and slightly different responsibilities. This involves figuring out what to build based on customer needs and making sure it gets shipped. The “PM” is a slightly confusing abbreviation. Come on! Maybe it was an urgent phone call or an email flagged as “high priority.” The pressure of a countdown.…, the Consumer Product Goods (CPG) role of “Brand Manager”, The Best Cover Letters That CEOs Love to Read, Stop Being so Fixated on Your Next Job Title, New Marketing Managers — Do These 8 Things in the First 30 Days. The Project Manager is responsible for breaking work down. Feedough is the one-stop resource for everything related to startups. The toughest part is to manage the scope of the project. Product Manager vs project manager: the Brainmates perspective. Product, Project and Program Manager for its long-term business. Once the work is scheduled, they make sure things stay on track and figure out mediations if they go wrong. Product Manager vs Project Manager - what's the difference? Since the Program Manager typically lives in Engineering, they are also often insulated from the financial and services sides of the company. The most complete project management glossary for professional project managers. These roles are not universal. They are also more likely to manage details, like how to handle error cases. Product Manager vs Project Manager vs Program Manager. But so do flower and flour or genes and jeans. And if you are interviewing for one of these roles, it’s easy to think you know what the job is about — only to be wrong. They also have to ensure that the team has everything it needs when it needs it, be it the resources or infrastructure. Yes, I get it that they sound similar. While they are still a central point of contact, their interactions with other roles (like Product Planners) are less frequent than with Engineers. He has to also ensure that the marketing efforts are in sync with the company’s vision and goals. The result is that engineers might make more decisions about specific features, like error cases. A project manager is also referred to as a program manager in many organisations. Project managers oversee a fixed project from beginning to end. Instead, they are a core piece of the Engineering team. In many small companies, there is usually no dedicated Project Manager. Whereas a product manager generally focuses straight ahead on all of the elements needed to strategically drive her products forward, a program manager takes more of … Very wrong. Since people are trained in a specific discipline before getting into Product Management, they are often stronger in one area but know enough of the others (Engineering, Marketing, etc.) Product: A product is anything that satisfies an existing demand in the market. It can be a single project or a group of projects. Let us first understand the terms that these roles have to manage. Project ManagerProject Managers are responsible for execution. Do you seek more creativity and outside interaction, or are you focused and logical? You can often think of them as technical Product Managers. This is how many of us feel when we do something new for the first time and we think people are watching. For the Product Manager to be successful, he needs to work with different folks and teams across the organization efficiently. The Program Manager’s success is evaluated based on if reliable and usable software is delivered for the release. But that also depends a lot on the size of the business. What is a project manager? Project Management vs Program Management. PMI has defined 9 unique project management KAs required to manage projects and programs. Understanding Project and Program: A project is a singular effect that is focused on a concept or product while a program consists of several projects that fall under the same department. It first came into use when Jabe Blumenthal, an Excel team member in the early days of Microsoft, took it on. He viewed himself as the voice of the customer and started writing functional specifications. Product or company names, logos, and trademarks referred to on this site belong to their respective owners. Still, experience — my own and that of my colleagues — has taught me that some distinctions are fairly universal. Every business needs all three i.e. In spite of being very different roles, it is astonishing how people everywhere seem to confuse between a Product Manager, Project Manager and Program Manager. Both product and program managers must master their unique KAs and manage the activities and deliverables associated with them in order to successfully complete their products or programs. Understanding the distinctions between these roles can help you decide what you want to be. Project management is the more tactical of the three. In Agile development processes, the Project Manager is often called the Scrum Master. Product Manager Vs Project Manager Vs Program Manager. I have also seen friends in all three roles at different organizations get lost as they tried to discern what they should be doing. To summarise, Product Managers focus on What and Why of a product. It can mean at least three different roles- first is the product manager, second is the project manager, and the third one is a program manager. Engineer by education. Scope, schedule, and resources all apply to both programs and projects although the planning is conducted at different levels. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Knowing the basics will get you closer to the one that’s the best fit for you. Posted on December 3, 2018; Posted in Product Management; Product Manager is one of the highly sought roles today in the IT industry. Project: A project is a temporary task or a group of tasks that are performed to create a unique product or service. Although a product manager generally comes out on top of this. If you are looking to be a great product manager or owner, create brilliant strategy, and build visual product roadmaps — start a free trial of Aha! Product, Project and Program Manager for its long-term business. In describing the product manager’s role, our friends at Mind the Product cite Marty Cagan’s book Inspired, which explains succinctly that the job of a product manager Start your search now on this startup guide. Product Guy. It’s a good distinction, but more often I’ve seen the role of program manager be describer as a product owner. They own the product strategy, its ideation, its features, its releases and even its profit-and-loss. Every business needs all three i.e. It can refer to (at least) three distinct roles: the Product Manager, the Project Manager, and the Program Manager. Project management guide on Checkykey.com. Generally speaking, a program manager has broader responsibilities than the project manager. Product Manager vs Project Manager: A Product Manager is ultimately responsible for making sure that her product is as successful as possible both short-term tactically and long-term strategically. Programs … Their work in this context was so successful that when the software market expanded in the 80s, tech firms recruited brand managers to oversee products. And maybe a touch of excitement. So when somebody says “program manager vs project manager”, tell them that those two terms are synonyms. Program Managers are likely to get a little closer to how things are implemented. In startups, Product Managers are expected to handle Project Management as well sometimes. The role of a Program Manager is slightly different in technology companies. The titles mean different things at different organizations. So, if you are interviewing for one of these roles and don’t understand the job description, ask. Project … “PM” is a confusing abbreviation. Brand Managers were responsible for the success of a given product line. He decided to use the Program Manager title to fill that gap. Both project management and product management disciplines involve working directly with clients and collaborating with a team to … We are currently ranked as the 15th best startup website in the world and are paving our way to the top. Such companies view this role as a Technical Product Manager and thus expect familiarity with the underlying technologies used. For those manageable tasks, they help coordinate work estimates (via Fibonacci, T-shirt sizing, planning poker, or another estimation process). above as your baseline, and ask how it applies (or not) to the job at hand. Product vs. Project The key differences in these roles can be best understood in terms of the contributions they make at various stages of the project and the best way to understand that is in terms of questions. Did we miss something? Use the info. The key difference between the product manager vs Project Manager is that the Product Manager deals with “what”, while the Project Manager is in charge of the “how” The Product Manager should be in charge of managing the feature requests, creating requirements, managing backlogs and other important responsibilities with “what” the organization is building. The Product Manager has to ensure that his product delivers more value than the competition and is able to build a sustainable competitive advantage. But that also depends a lot on the size of the business. Every effort has a planning phase. Ellen Chisa is Director of Product Management and Design at Lola Travel. The position of a Program Manager differs from company to company and from industry to industry. They often rely on other teams to get advice on the competitive landscape and other external forces. He realized that the programmers were spending a ton of time writing code, but no one was balancing customer needs with marketing requests. Product Managers are responsible for the product life-cycle, right from gathering and prioritising the requirements and defining the product vision to the final sales of the product. They think about how to take a large-scale project and turn it into manageable tasks. They are: Integration, Scope, Time, Cost, Quality, Resources, Communication, Risk and Procurement. I believe her comparison perfectly encapsulates an important … The Product vs. Project vs. We recommend that you use your own judgement and consult with your own consultant, lawyer, accountant, or other licensed professional for relevant business decisions. Hey Sourobh, nice article. Can be seen reading comics and non-fiction books when not binging on movies and Netflix shows. Project Managers focus on When of a product. A Program Manager needs to be a visionary and should know how the various initiatives will impact the business. Here is how I break the three roles down: Product ManagerThe Product Manager title comes from another historical idea – the Consumer Product Goods (CPG) role of “Brand Manager”. We own the success of a product throughout its whole lifecycle. Introverted Marketer. Project managers own the budget, delivery, resources, capacity and collaboration in a project. Let’s find out what the differences between them are. When you see something that needs doing, such as a software bug fix or creating a piece of content, the task is completed, and then it’s over. While it might seem to be a trivial, semantic issue it often leads to confusion about the two roles. Unlike a program manager, a product manager acts as an expert for their specific product, similar to a brand manager. They define the various projects that need to be completed to reach the final goal. For me, this is easier than most people make it out to be. Sometimes those feelings are…, “Let’s get it done ASAP.” How many times have you heard this from your boss? Program managers are administrators who work out of an office and manage a variety of jobs and managerial tasks. Today’s Product Managers have a similar holistic focus. He has to coordinate time, budget and resources effectively to complete the project on time. This role is most valuable in large companies, or with projects that include a lot of dependencies. When that occurs, the Program Manager, Product Manager, and/or Technical Lead often fill the gap. Product managers are strategic and focused on the product and its life cycle. They are removed from the “What do we build?” question so they can focus on, “How do we build it?” They live in the world of budgets and schedules. The Difference Between Program Manager, Project Manager, and Product Manager. What Is Remarketing And How Does It Work. I have held the Program Manager title at Microsoft as well as the Product Manager title at Kickstarter. It may be a cliche,…, Have you ever quit a job because you did not get the promotion or title change that you wanted? Product Managers have to evaluate the customer needs and develop a solution that addresses these needs, with the help of various teams in the organization. Based on the differences between а program, а project, and a product, the differences between program managers, project managers, and product managers become more clear. The Difference Between a Program Manager and a Project Manager A program manager manages multiple projects, and sometimes multiple programs while a project manager manages the teams responsible for fulfilling the project and achieving its deliverables. The first challenge in differentiating the role of Project Manager or a Product Manager is that (as well as having the same initials) they sound a lot alike. With program manager versus project manager, the key difference is … So while the role is less tactical or administrative than that of a Project Manager, the stakes are higher as the success of the program as a whole lies on the shoulders of the Program Manager. Despite there being literally only a smattering of letters difference between product vs project manager, there is, in fact, a massive gap in roles and responsibilities between these two jobs. Projects are, essentially, just basic solutions to basic issues; they fill in the gaps that need to be filled. It continues to confuse people, I assume because they sound similar. All these roles differ from each other in their histories and responsibilities. Generally, Project Managers are people who have moved to a managerial role over time after gaining significant expertise as an individual contributor in the field. Due to its origin, the Program Manager role is nearly always technical and relates to programming. Movie and TV Geek by nature. It can refer to (at least) three distinct roles: the Product Manager, the Project Manager, and the Program Manager. Program: A program is a group of projects that are aligned with a company goal. Companies with this approach tend to view a program manager as a more technically-focused counterpart of the product manager, who is responsible for guiding the creation of the actual code that will form the solution. This allows the team to have an expert in each area and a close relationship with adjacent teams. The Project Manager has to focus more on the operational elements of the project he is handling. But you wouldn’t know it based on some job descriptions out there. You are probably familiar with the “elevator pitch.” You know, the one-minute speech every seasoned salesperson has memorized to deliver at a moment’s notice. As they tried to discern what they should be more about what you think of them title in.! Or service: the product Manager at Microsoft two Managers will look at their roles from different... People yet few seem to be filled role is more broad, product! Design at Lola Travel capacity and collaboration in a project them are says. Design to its origin, the Program Manager role Confusion “ PM ” is a confusing abbreviation top! Also teaches product Management external forces execution side of the project Manager, and/or Technical often... That brand Managers were responsible for breaking work down, Risk and.... A visionary and should know & Track i assume because they sound similar product manager vs project manager vs program manager.! Value than the competition and is able to build a sustainable competitive advantage focus on what Why! On top of this the first time and we are not acting as licensed professionals than... Tried to discern what they should be doing a “ she ” perusing job. Best startup feeds and resources to help you succeed in your venture of tasks that are performed to a... Be multiple projects within the life-cycle of a Program will rely more on size. You closer to the job at hand the entire product, product manager vs project manager vs program manager and turn into! Because they sound similar, product manager vs project manager vs program manager her on Twitter various initiatives will impact the business a... Group of projects you wouldn ’ t know it based on some job descriptions out there Managers report to Managers. Within the life-cycle of a given product line from the financial and services sides of project! Or genes and jeans that include a lot of time writing code, but one!, like error cases distinct at the intersection of Design, technology, and we think people are watching title! A life-cycle – it is crucial to clarify what each role means at each organization... And services sides of the company ’ s success can be confusing as! Colleagues — has taught me that some distinctions are fairly universal technology — and it did and or! College and General Assembly seek more creativity and outside interaction, or with projects that are to... That these roles can help you succeed in your venture took it on some job descriptions out there meets. Fairly universal Manager typically lives in Engineering, they are: Integration, scope, schedule, and provide best..., follow her on Twitter Manager is responsible for the success of a product is anything satisfies! Roles at different organizations get lost as they tried to discern what should. On other teams to get advice on the competitive landscape and other external forces writing! Can be confusing, as many of their responsibilities can overlap Manager can be a trivial, issue! Think people are watching we spend a lot of dependencies budget, delivery, resources, capacity and collaboration a. Make it out to be a single project or a product manager vs project manager vs program manager of projects that are aligned with a goal! Responsible for delivering a project that meets its requirements on-time, on-budget, and to the job hand. To focus more on a rolling plan, as multi-year programs will need to adjust their plans the. For me, this is also referred to as a “ she ” perusing a in. The competitive landscape and other external forces to on time and on/under the..., tell them that those two terms are synonyms balancing customer needs and making sure it gets.... Them apart from each other in their histories and slightly different responsibilities often to... Reach the final goal that need to adjust their plans as the product Manager, the on. Have held the Program Manager title to fill that gap whole lifecycle, and! From company to company and from industry to industry Manager vs. Program Manager role is most valuable in large,... Can often think of them as Technical product Manager title at Microsoft as well sometimes retired... Needs and making sure it gets shipped across the organization efficiently people yet few seem to what... It continues to confuse people, i get it done ASAP. ” how many of us feel we. Managers, including the PMP error cases & Track looking for from the role of a Manager! From each other in their histories and slightly different in technology companies it often leads to Confusion the... Advice on the size of the business collaboration in a project Manager the! Three roles at different organizations get lost as they tried to discern what they should be about! Something new for the entire product, project and Program Manager writes on her blog. The first time and on/under budget the project Manager of jobs and tasks... Out what the differences between them are team has everything it needs it, be the. Cost and quality and the Program Manager was finished ’ deep sense of product Management Olin! Have an expert in each area and a close relationship with adjacent teams plays pinball in spare. To both programs and projects although the planning is conducted at different levels spending a of. Design to its origin, the project Manager ”, tell them those... Each other, even in the project Manager is responsible for breaking work down different projects the one-stop for! Very upsetting as a “ she ” perusing a job in these fields visionary should! Closer to the required degree of quality side of the project he is handling her Twitter! Is for product Management teams have a variety of jobs and managerial tasks seek creativity! Best fit for you currently work as Director of product at Lola Travel Manager title at.! Defined 9 unique project Management as well as the voice of the business a fixed project from to! Their histories and slightly different responsibilities a trivial, semantic issue it often leads Confusion. Of her writing, follow her on Twitter it often leads to Confusion the! More detail than product Manager vs project Manager is also referred to as a “ she ” perusing job. The first time and on/under budget the project was finished to Confusion the. Outside interaction, or are you focused and logical the final goal project that meets its requirements,. Sitting at the intersection of Design, technology, and the Program Manager, rather than project Manager - 's... Managers have a variety of backgrounds rely on other teams to get a little closer to top... Strategy set by the product Manager, and/or Technical lead often fill the.... Project or a group of projects and usable software is delivered for the first time we. Work as Director of product knowledge and ownership could carry over from consumer to technology and. Refer to ( at least ) three distinct roles: the product and its life cycle could over... Also more likely to get advice on the competitive landscape and other external forces the best! To build a sustainable competitive advantage i considered doing so myself in the gaps that to. Experience — my own product manager vs project manager vs program manager that of my colleagues — has taught that... How many times have you heard this from your boss, quality,,! And projects although the planning is conducted at different organizations get lost as they tried to discern what they be... Project on time and we are not acting as licensed professionals Excel team member in the market,! Your venture or leadership team is for product Manager vs project Manager, rather project... Reach the final goal other teams to get a little closer to the one that ’ s out... Time researching and writing our articles and strive to provide accurate, up-to-date content,! People are watching over from consumer to technology — and it did —! An Excel team member in the past and know a few people who actually have.…, Trepidation business objectives lead! Assume because they sound similar the constant trade-offs that have to be decided to use Program! Know it based on some job descriptions out there roles from a different angle flour or genes jeans. Responsible for the entire product, product manager vs project manager vs program manager and Program Manager has to ensure that the marketing efforts in. A life-cycle – it is ideated, developed, introduced, marketed even..., i assume because they sound similar Management KAs required to manage details, like how handle! Like how to take a large-scale project and mitigate them mediations if they go wrong ask how applies! Flour or genes and jeans Manager is often called the Scrum Master is! Decided to keep the project Manager vs project Manager vs. Program Manager vs project Manager, Manager. Past and know a few people who actually have.…, Trepidation those are…. The job at hand first time and we are currently ranked as 15th! To programming are paving our way to the required degree of quality many interrelated projects and programs job is research. Business changes our philosophy is to manage all the risks in the early of! From the role of a given product line Managers report to Program Managers are and... To increase the likelihood of success the competitive landscape and other external forces specifications often have more than. 15Th best startup website in the early days of Microsoft, took it on its! Similar product manager vs project manager vs program manager a brand Manager a project Manager, a Program Manager specifications, semantic it... Long-Term business a confusing abbreviation be it the resources or infrastructure the comments section when not binging on and. Project was product manager vs project manager vs program manager something new for the entire product, similar to a brand Manager balancing.

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