This unit introduces core product management concepts including the product life cycle, development methodologies, market research, prioritization, planning, launch and retirement considerations, and the distinctions between related roles. It establishes foundational skills in market segmentation, business-case creation, roadmapping, and leadership that prepare students for deeper execution and go-to-market units that follow.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze and contrast the responsibilities of a product manager with at least three related functions (e.g., marketing, project management, engineering, sales) using a provided case study or organizational scenario
- Apply product life cycle concepts and development frameworks by mapping stages (ideation/qualify/develop/launch/retire) and selecting between Waterfall/phase-gate and Agile approaches for a given product scenario, justifying the selection with explicit criteria
- Demonstrate market-driven planning skills by conducting basic market segmentation and competitive research, prioritizing product ideas, and producing a one-page business case and feature description for a hypothetical new product or service
- Evaluate launch, roadmap, and leadership considerations by creating a theme-based product roadmap, outlining critical project-management steps for a successful launch, and drafting a personal product management career plan with measurable goals and target dates
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 24 Lessons
- 30 hours
Expand all sectionsCollapse all sections
- Unit 1 — Foundations of Product Management24
- 1.1Understanding the Need for Product Management20 mins
- 1.2Orientation Day: Examining Your Role as Product Manager20 mins
- 1.3Defining the Product Life Cycle: What It Is and Isn’t20 mins
- 1.4Getting a Handle on the Creative Process20 mins
- 1.5Moving from Markets to Segments20 mins
- 1.6Understanding the Importance of Market Research and Competitive Intelligence20 mins
- 1.7Prioritizing Your Ideas20 mins
- 1.8Adopting Planning Best Practices20 mins
- 1.9Making a Business Case for the New Product or Service20 mins
- 1.10Grasping the Importance of a Market Strategy20 mins
- 1.11Uncovering Market Need and Creating Product Feature Descriptions20 mins
- 1.12Getting the Lowdown on Waterfall/Phase-Gate versus Agile Development20 mins
- 1.13Getting Up to Speed on the Qualify Phase20 mins
- 1.14Unlocking the Do’s and Don’ts of a Successful Product Launch20 mins
- 1.15Grasping the Basics of Marketing20 mins
- 1.16Deciding How to Retire a Product20 mins
- 1.17Identifying Traits of an Effective Product Management Leader20 mins
- 1.18Brushing Up on Persuasion Basics20 mins
- 1.19Mapping Your Career Path: Setting Goals and Target Dates20 mins
- 1.20Failing to Plan Early Enough20 mins
- 1.21Theme-Based Product Road Maps20 mins
- 1.22Talking More Than Listening20 mins
- 1.23Recognizing the Critical Role of Project Management20 mins
- 1.24Comparing Product Management to Other Related Roles20 mins
Instructor
Free
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