You already know this – The number one skill in product management is communication. But can you really communicate like a PM? Easy guide to get started.
Check out the list of other top product management skills.
In every type of organisation, be it a small startup or a 100 year old traditional corporate, communication is always focussed on. However, communication is especially important for Product professionals.
Even though he has nothing to do with product management, I consider Warren Buffett as one of the greatest Product Managers of our times.
If you can’t communicate and talk to other people and get across your ideas, you’re giving up your potential.
Warren Buffett
Agile Communication
Remember, if you want to practice true Agile Methodology, solid communication is the key. Crystal clear communication means that you keep your stakeholders updated with your team’s progress. It also means that you clearly state your expectations and limitations. And finally, it also means you set clear timelines. Your are also expected to know when to say “No”.
People in traditional large corporates sometimes cannot differentiate between a Product Manager vs a Product Owner. They cannot also differentiate between a Product Manager vs a Project Manager. It is important to know these differences.
Also, I recommend this excellent HBR piece that deals with the types of communication in project management. Effective communication project management is no different than effective communication in product management. This is a good time to make sure you know the following –
Do you know what makes Elon Musk a boss Product Manager?
Communicate Like a PM
So what are the important elements of product communication plan? Or what are the important elements of project communication plan?
The elements are similar for both (even though the two roles are very different).
Here is the list of key skills that you need to communicate like a PM –
- Clarity of Thought
- Document Everything
- Keep It Simple, Stupid
- Understand Your Audience
- Get Up From Your Desk
- Focus On Your Goal
Product Manager Communication – Detailed
Let us go over each step in detail.
Various aspects of communication have been covered in detail below.
These apply to both Product Managers and Project Managers.
Clarity of Thought
Think about what you want to communicate.
More importantly, your thinking should happen before you communicate, not during your communication.
Document Everything
Don’t just say it, you need to put it on paper.
Well not literally paper, but you know what I mean.
A record should exist of your communication.
I find tools like Jira very useful. Jira is great tool for documenting various stages of the Product Life Cycle.
Check out the full list of top 10 tools for Product Managers.
Keep It Simple, Stupid
The KISS principle can practically be applied to everything in life.
But this principle is especially critical for Product Managers.
Apply the KISS principle to your PPT, emails, and everything else.
Presentations are especially important in product management and project management. A clear, concise presentation goes a long way in the efficient management of a product or a project.
Also, all presentations should strive to be as visual as possible.
As they say, a picture communicates a thousand words!
Nobody like reading text on a presentation.
So the more visual a presentation, the more engaged is your audience.
Understand Your Audience
Not everyone will be as knowledgeable as you.
They will not know your product.
They may not even understand your role. It is your job to tailor your message to suit the needs of your audience.
A product should have a diverse audience.
In fact, every Product Manager should not only welcome diverse opinions, but should actually seek them out.
Diversity of thoughts and experiences only enriches our product and project.
If a product is built in an echo chamber, it is doomed for failure.
Avoid an echo chamber by understanding the target audience and proactively reaching out to them.
Get Up From Your Desk
In person communication is better than a phone call. Phone call is better than a chat.
Chat is better than an email.
Follow this order and your life will be simpler.
During times when people are working from home, a Product Manager should communicate via video calls.
Video calls with stakeholders are important because they give a personal touch to the interaction.
Focus On Your Goal
What is it that you really want to achieve from your communication? What is your primary objective (not secondary or tertiary)? Keep your goal in mind while drafting your message.
And before you hit send, re-read your draft and then re-read it again.
Does it singularly focus on your primary objective? If yes, hit the send button.
As a Product Manager, our goal needs to be to hit the bulls eye with every communication.
There is no such thing as an unimportant email.
There is no such thing as an unimportant meeting or an interaction.
Every email is important. Every meeting is important.
A Product Manager should not only lead the product, but he or she should be seen leading the product.
Conclusion – Product Management Communication
In addition to the above, you also need to have a good strategy in place. Strategies such as Google’s OKR Framework can immensely help you.
The only way to master communication is to actually communicate more. Effective project communication is critical. Communication with stakeholders in project management is as important as it is with stakeholders in product management.
You will make mistakes – and that’s ok. Just make sure to not give up. Own up to your mistakes, correct them and emerge stronger.
As a bonus, do you know how to be an effective Product Manager during a pandemic?
Remember to use team communication tools like Slack, Microsoft Team, etc.
And don’t forget, seamless communication will help you become Product Agnostic.
Other online resources include –
- Importance of communication in project management PPT
- Importance of communication in project management PDF
- Project management tools
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