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How to stop the battle between Product Managers and Designers
The 6 mistakes Product Manager should avoid to get better outcomes as a team.
A thin line between love and hate separates Product Managers and Designers. Generally, Product Managers aim do deliver more, while Designers aim to invest significant time in a unique experience. Product Managers don’t follow why so many details are essential, whereas Designers don’t understand why Product Managers want to remove many important aspects.
The tension between the Product Manager and Designers
Is a conflicting interaction between Product Managers and Designers the way to build delightful products? For sure, not. The more misunderstandings, the less collaboration. At some point in time Product Managers and Designers find no motivation to help each other.
Product Manager and Designers see the importance of details differently, which leads to countless disappointments.
- Product Managers think Designers focus too much on details that bring little value to the overall product.
- Designers strive for a delightful experience, where every minor detail matters.
I’ve worked as a Product Owner in scenarios without Product Managers, meaning I assumed such a role as well. I had many misunderstandings with Designers, which helped me to learn how to work as a team. Product Managers and Designers are not enemies. However, misalignments bring a significant tension in this relationship, holding us back from thriving.
As a Product Owner, I found some behaviors and attitudes to avoid so that as a Team, we can achieve terrific outcomes.
Letting the Designer out in the beginning
“We may not waste a Designer’s time now, and it’s just an idea.” This is how problems begin.
Product Managers face many opportunities. We need to choose which one to pursue and which to drop. Such decisions happen daily. A problem starts once the…
