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How designers and product managers can build a stronger relationship
Turn your PM into a design advocate to deliver better outcomes
The role of a product manager
Fifteen years ago, Ben Horowitz, CEO of Opsware, called the product manager the “CEO of the product.” In a way, that is exactly what a product manager is.
A product manager (PM) sets the goals, defines success and motivates teams to deliver winning products. They identify the customer or market need that a product will fulfill and oversee the planning and development of that product in order to reach its intended vision.
Some of the PM’s responsibilities include:
- gathering and prioritizing product and customer requirements,
- defining the product vision, and
- working closely with engineering and design to deliver products.
PM works at the intersection of UX, technology and business, and are responsible for managing the outcomes of these teams to achieve success.
They maximize the value produced by the team by ensuring stakeholders are aligned on the shared vision, teammates understand the priorities of the roadmap and user stories are defined to meet the user’s needs.
Why build a strong Design-PM relationship?
Delivering products that have delightful user experiences is a winning formula for good business. A poorly designed product might technically solve a user’s problems but provide a frustrating experience, which can lead to the user looking for alternative solutions.
Good design leads to positive user feedback and reviews, better customer retention and industry adoption. There’s no denying that product management and design must collaborate effectively in order to compete and succeed in a competitive market landscape.
Here are some ways designers can work with their PMs to strengthen their relationship and turn them into design advocates.
