Josh Fechter

It isn’t easy to be an agile product owner. It is a highly responsible yet technical role that includes constantly communicating and collaborating with the agile development team. It is a rapidly growing role. The product owner workforce reached 6,000 in 2021 and is expected to continue growing in 2024. Meeting product goals is one of the major responsibilities of a product owner. They must ensure that the development team...

Would you like to know the difference between continuous integration and continuous development? Well, you’re in the right place. The software development industry is facing an ever-growing demand for delivering high-quality and high-performing software fast and efficiently. To respond to these challenges, software developers are implementing a variety of practices and approaches, such as agile methodologies, code reviews, refactoring, and to name a few. Continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery...

Modern product managers who have embraced agile methodology for new product and feature development rely on a diverse range of channels to acquire customer feedback. Some of the most popular tools include surveys, customer interviews, and feature requests by users. However, one of the most insightful approaches to quantify customer sentiment is through NPS®. Let’s take a detailed look at how product teams USE NPS® to prioritize features. What is...

Wondering how to succeed at remote product management? Smart move. The pandemic of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our world. Like other fields, this pandemic has also affected the business industry. Many companies have started to hire remote workers for their projects. As a result, the demand for remote project managers has increased. Pursuing a remote product management career brings numerous challenges. Despite all these challenges, there are...

Are you curious about how to incorporate continuous integration into your product workflow? Then you’ve come to the right place. As more companies continue to explore different frameworks and approaches for product management, product teams feel obliged to learn the fundamentals of continuous integration and its application within product development.  In this article, we go through the fundamentals of continuous integration as well as key insight and strategies for its...

Want to learn what differentiates a director of product from a product manager? Although the two appear synonymous, there are some things that make them different. Keep reading to find out! In a nutshell, product managers gather the needs and want of their customers and convey them to the sales and development team to ensure the delivery of a fully functional product. In contrast, the director of product oversees the...

Are you wondering how to create a version in Jira? Well you’ve come to the right place. A version is a term associated with Jira that refers to a set of bug fixes and features that a team releases as a single update.  From a software development and management point of view in Jira software, versions are important since they act as timestamps that show when a team has completed...

Curious to learn how to use collaborative design in agile teams? Smart choice. Today, agile teams that follow conventional practices often struggle to incorporate designs into the Agile process. Collaborative design gained prominence as a solution to outdated practices, helping teams to strive toward successful working relationships that put design thinking at the center of product development. In this article, we break down a step-by-step guide to help companies practice collaborative...

Interested in learning how the product development process works? Keep reading to find out! The product development process allows businesses to create new and innovative products. Developing a product is both a challenging and exciting process. From the initial ideation to the design and production, each product launch differs from the next.  The product development process involves seven steps that take a product from its initial concept to the final...

Whether your business has a new idea or your customers are demanding a new product, you cannot just communicate it to the development team and expect them to build it. It is essential to go in with a well-orchestrated plan that ensures seamless product development from inception right down to the final phase. You need a clear product roadmap that allows the design, development, and quality assurance teams to be...

The rise of digital technology and fierce competition has changed the way we look at products. Since customer needs and expectations are constantly evolving, you need a competent profile to oversee your organization’s product development team. This is where a Chief Product Officer (CPO) comes in. But what exactly does a Chief Product Officer do? Whether you’re an aspiring CPO or a recruiter creating a job description, keep reading. In...

Would you like to find out what marketing agility is? Keep reading! Marketing agility is the extent of a company’s iterations between executing marketing decisions and making sense of the market to better adapt to it.  It’s a crucial tool for making marketing decisions when the market is very volatile and unpredictable.  What is the Purpose of Marketing Agility?  Every business today requires agility to traverse complex markets. Therefore, the...

Curious to know what a Burndown Chart is and how to use it for project management? Then look no further. In the 1990s, the burndown chart became the brainchild of two of the original signatories of the Agile Manifesto: Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland, in an effort to help organizations streamline the software development process. This article explores the functions and characteristics of burndown charts and how to incorporate them...

Behind all of Google’s innovative products, technical product managers (TPM) at Google stand as the leaders who drive product delivery goals from conceptualization to launch. Even though becoming a technical product manager at Google is the dream job for many ambitious technical PMs, it is a challenging career. Yet, it is a rewarding career path and an opportunity to formulate new ideas, work with talented engineers, and release innovative products...

Feature branches help developers in agile teams be more flexible with the development process. It allows them to work on a new feature or fix an existing issue independent of the main code line. Most version control systems today allow software teams to utilize branches. The naming system of each branch depends on the version control system you use. A feature branch allows continuous deployment of bug fixes and new...

The traditional roadmap provides you with directions on how to move from where you are to the destination you have in mind. The product roadmap serves the same function. It shows how the product strategy becomes a reality. Get the product roadmap right, and the entire team understands your product strategy and how they play a role in helping you to achieve your company’s goals. This post shares 13 practical...

Curious to learn how to create epic software releases? Then you’ve come to the right place. Sometimes it comes in the form of one major release, but it’s better to release software as soon as your team has it ready. This article takes a close-up look at every component that goes into perfecting each awesome software release. That way, you and your team have a manual to help you build...

Want to learn how to write the perfect Scrum Manager cover letter? Well, you’re in the right place. Since the dawn of the Scrum framework for project management in 1995, companies continue to reap the benefits of its three pillars of transparency, inspection, and adaptation. Scrum operates in conjunction with the agile methodology to increase efficiency throughout the organization. Companies solicit the expertise of scrum managers or scrum masters to...

Kanban, a Japanese word that means “visual signal,” is a project management methodology that provides a visual framework for a project lifecycle from beginning to completion. A Kanban card is a core element of the overall Kanban system. Each Kanban card represents an individual work process moving through various project stages on a physical or virtual Kanban board, giving project managers and team members a visual update on the project’s...

Landing a job as a technical product manager is as rewarding as it is taxing. As of January 2022, Zippia reports that technical product managers earn within the $119,000 – $120,000 range on average. According to data shared by Country Economy, this is more than 15 times the minimum wage amount in the United States. High earnings imply a need for a unique skill set. As product professionals, technical product...

Agile and DevOps are two new ways of managing complex projects in the product development world. Both focus on cutting waste and increasing collaboration between teams. The use of the agile methodology has become widespread since the early 2000s. However, since then, companies continue to overlook the requirements and processes of the operations team in many agile environments during the development and deployment of solutions. DevOps focuses on aligning development...

Practicing agile software development or product development requires agile teams to follow a specific philosophy. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, teams must work together to figure out the best possible solution for their situation. Many teams prefer the Scrum framework, Kanban, or a combination of both as a mixed methodology. To determine the right approach, you must understand how to track, monitor, plan, and release product or software solutions....

Agile metrics are fundamental productivity indicators. They show how effective your company or team is in fulfilling its goals and principles. Whether your goal is to satisfy your clients through the delivery of the promised product or to maintain a constant pace for work completion, choosing agile metrics tells you how well your team tackles a set of challenges. Here are 7 agile metrics to inspire you on your quest...

Curious to learn how to use advanced roadmaps in Jira software? Keep reading! An advanced roadmap is a feature in Jira Software Cloud that allows you to combine projects, boards, and filters in a comprehensive, visual plan.  Product managers use advanced roadmaps in Jira to gauge project progress across multiple teams, manage project priorities, and come up with release dates based on the team’s performance throughout the roadmap. Advanced roadmaps...

Trying to figure out how to write a technical program manager resume to land your next dream job? You’re in the right place! As someone on the hunt for a technical PM position, your resume must position yourself as a professional capable of developing, leading, and executing technical programs that allow businesses to meet their respective objectives.  The best way to achieve that is to pick apart relevant, past experiences...

Every software development team uses a project management technique to organize their work and track their progress. Establishing a workflow enables project teams to be more efficient and effective in their roles. Today, various workflow management approaches help software development teams to be more productive. Agile workflow management is one such technique gaining popularity in recent years. It is an iterative approach that allows teams to deliver more value. If...

Wondering how to incorporate GIT in your agile workflow? Thousands of companies utilize Git to handle small and large projects alike. It’s one of the most popular tools to track file changes and foster coordination among programmers.  What makes it attractive is its support for non-linear workflows of a distributed nature, making it ideal for agile workflows. In this article, we go over the Git flow workflow and how agile...

Scrum metrics are various data points and statistics that Scrum teams record, track, and analyze to help boost team effectiveness, performance, and efficiency. Agile teams need key Agile metrics to inform their decision-making. It helps create clearer goals and facilitates better sprint management. A team’s performance hinges on these metrics. It is the job of the Scrum team to monitor and analyze metrics after every sprint for maximum efficiency. In...

Many organizations integrate the agile development process into their business strategy as a way of streamlining the development of products and accelerating their route to market. A business strategy is successful when teams make interdependent choices throughout the product lifecycle that are flexible enough to not compromise the deliverable. In this article, we break down key tips and insights merging business strategy with agile development to help you streamline your...

Today, the software development industry is booming at a fast pace. With the progress of the developmental process, the need for practical project management tools is also increasing. Managing projects is a complex process that involves various tasks, resources, and risks. To manage those projects, teams use various management software and tools. One popular project management tool is the Gantt chart. Gantt chart is a powerful project management tool that...

For many development teams, the essential question that needs answering before any project begins is: Do we use the Agile or Waterfall approach? While both methodologies involve similar processes, the execution of the various steps is what sets them apart. Waterfall project management is a traditional, linear approach with successful project delivery as the key driver. Agile development is an iterative approach that deals with achieving customer satisfaction. This post...

Interested in learning how to write the perfect B2B product manager resume? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Your B2B product manager resume is your first impression with any hiring manager or recruiter. That makes it one of your most powerful tools when applying for a new product manager job.  Some with less experience but a better product manager resume have a higher chance of success than someone with...

Interested in learning how to write a technical program manager cover letter? Well, keep reading! This article shares an overview of creating a good technical program manager cover letter to get your dream job. This article also provides strong samples and a template to help you construct an exceptional technical program manager cover letter by yourself without needing a cover letter builder! What are Technical Program Manager Cover Letters? A...

Have you ever been to a team meeting where the group spends more time talking about their weekend plans than work? Meetings like this are a waste of the company’s profits, and they’re also ineffective at moving the project forward. This is where a Scrum Master comes in handy. The overarching goal of a Scrum Master is to keep Scrum teams on track during their meetings. In doing so, they...

Wondering how to create an incident response plan? You’ve come to the right place. Today, organizations witness a global increase in cyber-attacks that bring about confidential data leaks. According to a 2021 IBM report, the annual cost of a data breach rose from $3.86 billion to $4.24 million in 2021 alone. Likewise, cyber-attacks and data breaches impact the organization’s reputation and business operations. So, why do you need an incident...

Want to know what are the Agile Scrum artifacts that teams use to stay on top of all things Scrum? Then you’ve come to the right place. Scrum artifacts help track the Scrum team’s progress in any given scrum project. The three main Scrum artifacts are the sprint backlog, product backlog, and product increment.  That said, apart from the main artifacts, there are a series of extra ones that Agile...

 Curious to know what the customer experience entails? Then look no further. For many companies, a good customer experience is often at the forefront of their business goals. Hotjar reports that 37% of mature companies consider delivering an outstanding experience as their number one goal. In this article, we explore the metric of customer experience and all the features which make it relevant to the company’s ability to gain a competitive...

Google has grown into one of the largest organizations in the world, employing hundreds of thousands of people globally. Due to their massive size, they practically hire every professional out there, including a Google associate product manager. Since Google works through its products and services, product management plays a vital role in the company’s success. They need product managers for every product they have. In fact, they need product managers...

Becoming a product manager is often the ideal career goal for most business analysts today. Plus, the ease of career transition nowadays is a big reason why we’re seeing so many business analysts become product managers. In this article, we’ll go over how you can make a career change from being a business analyst to becoming a product manager, what the role entails, as well as answering some of the...

Are you curious to find out how to conduct a successful product launch? In the world of agile DevOps, the product launch serves as a measure of success. The release manager claims responsibility for all production processes. This alleviates the burden on the other teams and allows them to focus on tasks and future releases. But how does a release manager convert the product release into a successful launch? In...

To successfully build AI-powered solutions, like automated software products, you need people that have specific skill sets and experiences. When it comes to AI products data scientists, analysts, and programmers might be some of the first names that pop into your head. But there’s another key role that can determine the success of a product – the AI product manager. The “AI product manager” role has emerged only recently. As...

Agile project management is crucial for companies as it ensures that teams complete projects on time and within budget. Project managers have to handle multiple projects at once and juggle them all for early and continuous delivery. Project management methodologies enable managers to track progress, identify risks and overcome obstacles. Project managers have leveraged various types of project management methodologies over the years to oversee the safe and successful execution...

The SaaS product manager role is one of the fastest-growing roles in the entire software product development realm. This makes you wonder, what does a SaaS product manager do that makes their role so valuable to SaaS companies. If you’re looking to start a career in SaaS product management, keep reading. In this article, we’ll go over what SaaS product managers do, the skills required for the job, as well...

Product management is a highly data-driven field. Tying tangible numbers to the progression of your product and how your customers see it can reveal useful business insights. To that end, knowing certain product manager analytics metrics and tools is essential. With product analytics, a PM can get an honest look at the performance of the product they manage. This, in turn, equips them with the insights they need to create...

 According to statistics, 60-80% of project failures happen due to poor analysis, requirements gathering, and change management. As difficult as adapting to change is, it’s crucial to complete complex projects. That’s why the agile methodology emerged to improve software development businesses worldwide. The agile mindset helps companies tackle these challenging environments by embracing the change. Agile practices empower employees to produce their best work and offer team members a sense...

Machine learning is becoming a crucial part of all businesses as we move toward a more technological and automated future. That’s why job titles like Machine Learning Product Manager have popped up. AI, deep learning, and machine learning are constantly being taken advantage of by companies as data science takes the wheel of contemporary business practices. They rely heavily on the abundance of data these days. The truth is, leveraging...

Today, the need for an Agile product owner is more urgent now than it has ever been. More organizations are seeing the benefits of an agile methodology. In fact, based on the 15th State of Agile Report from Digital.ai, between 2020 and 2021 alone there was a 49% increase in Agile adoption within software teams. The same report goes on to mention that two-thirds of Agile companies have experienced significant...

Effective product management is quite valuable in the financial services space. Strong project management is the differentiator for business development in fintech. Luckily, that’s a prime aspect of the finance product manager job description. If you’re interested in leading a team at a financial services firm, read on. In this article, we’ll look at what a finance product manager does, their typical job responsibilities, and how you can become one in 2023. Let’s get into it. Finance Product Manager Job Overview A finance product manager helps conceptualize, develop, test, and launch...

Are you curious about the relationships between Agile stories, epics, and initiatives? Then you’ve come to the right place. Agile project management promotes several tools which give rise to a meticulous approach to achieving a business’s goals on a grand scale. Some of these tools include user stories, epics, and initiatives that build upon one another to drive momentum and progress towards the big picture. As our digital world continues...

Within the realm of software development, the success of coding projects is a critical aspect. But how do we measure and mitigate the quality of the source code before bringing it to production? The answer is simple: code reviews.  In this article, we examine the significance of code reviews and outline the best practices you must follow to conduct them. To learn more via video, watch below. Otherwise, skip ahead....

Interested in learning how to write a B2B Product Manager cover letter? You’re in the perfect place! When a candidate applies for a new B2B product manager role, he must signal his value through multiple mediums. Although the resume is a well-trusted document, the B2B product manager cover letter can be more valuable to land the project manager job. While you may not see the requirement of a cover letter...

Wondering how to create subtasks for issues using Jira Software rules? You’re in the right place! Jira rules are a function within Jira Software that enables you to automate certain actions in accordance with specific criteria you’ve fed into the system.  Rules are useful since they save product teams time on repetitive tasks and help them organize workflow.  Issues are items that represent a task, activity, or pending job that...

Curious to learn the truth about the project management vs program management debate? Both project and product management are common practices seen across companies since they both help teams succeed in executing tasks. That said, while both serve similar functions, there are key differences that distinguish one from the other. A project is a single, focused effort that produces a tangible result. On the other hand, a program refers to...

Product management can get very boring at times, especially if your product isn’t something that you’re personally invested in. At times, even a product manager’s job needs to be toned down using product manager jokes. You might go for them in your professional setting or need them for your opening speech at an event. Regardless of the occasion, you have to make sure that you have some good material to...

Handling the technical side of product development and management involves both in-depth technical knowledge and a natural ability to lead product teams. That’s where product manager technical skills come in. The technical product manager role is the backbone of a company’s developmental framework. This means that anyone who fills the PM role needs to have ample technical product management skills. If you’re looking to make a career in technical product...

Salesforce is the top-rated CRM, dominating the worldwide CRM market with over 19% market share. In a company where they are continually improving and so that customers get the most value, Salesforce product managers can have a daunting job with many responsibilities. Salesforce product manager jobs include everything from the initial conceptualization to customer adoption and optimizing each task in the product lifecycle. No matter what your job is, you...

Product management in the software product development space has recently started gaining traction as a bona fide position. That has given birth to the concept of a product manager conference. A lot of the credit for this goes to similar events that are building new product leadership and inspiring innovation in the product world, eventually creating the idea of a product manager conference. In this article, we’ll look at the...

Data science is quickly becoming one of the most important careers. That’s mainly due to the sheer amount of data being processed and created each day. That’s why today we a data science product manager to make sense of all that data. Data scientists tend to work with massive datasets, algorithms, machine learning models, and even artificial intelligence. They use these tools and methods to extrapolate trends, insights, and other...

Want to find out the truth about the technical product manager vs Scrum manager debate? When software development or other teams design and create new products, they do so under the supervision of multiple managers.  For that reason, It’s common for aspiring product professionals to confuse technical product managers and scrum managers. While there are points of similarity between both positions, there are core differences that separate and define each...

The product manager job is one of the most important jobs in the realm of products and services. However, landing a PM job can be hard because of product manager education requirements. Usually, organizations tend to opt for PMs who have a proper education and a solidified career path. However, these days, some companies have started to become laxer in their hiring processes. One can change their current career to...

The biggest challenge that all startups face is a lack of resources. Every decision about hiring new resources or carrying out transactions has to be carefully planned out. However, for a new business with a product or two, investing in a product manager is a fairly safe bet. Startup PMs, also known as “first product managers,” are responsible for setting up the very foundations of product management at a newly...

Interested in learning how to write a Scrum manager resume? Well, you’re in the right place. Scrum master jobs have a bright future and will become one of the most in-demand positions in the next couple of years.  How do I know that? According to a study by the World Economic Forum, 33% of high-demand roles in product development will be Scrum related by 2022. Not only this, but also...

What is Jira? What is Confluence? And how do they match up against each other in Scrum?  Software development is moving forward in leaps and bounds. Two of the best collaboration tools for software development are Jira and Confluence, members of the Atlassian suite of products. Comparing Jira vs. Confluence is similar to comparing apples and oranges since they are two different tools. In this article, we break down the...

Wondering how to carry out Agile sprint reviews? Whether you’re new to product development or a seasoned pro, it’s doubtless that your development team has heard of the agile methodology. Today, agile project management has become popular in software development. However, the agile framework has also become prevalent in many other industries worldwide. Sprint reviews are when the entire scrum team comes together to celebrate their accomplishments and review any...

Curious to learn our verdict on the development managers vs Scrum managers debate?  Managers in scrum teams play an important role because they identify tasks, provide instructions, and oversee the backlog. The development manager handles the technical aspects of a scrum project. Meanwhile, the scrum manager is responsible for handling the entire project, including maintaining deadlines, ensuring task completion, and managing project efficiency. Both parties play a vital role in...

Want to learn the verdict on the technical product manager vs program manager debate? In software development and other industries, there’s some confusion regarding the roles of technical product managers vs program managers. Although these roles do have some similarities, they also have several key differences. Let’s break down these major differences in detail. To learn more via video, watch below. Otherwise, skip ahead. Technical Product Manager Role Technical product...

The Scrum of Scrums is a fundamental and crucial concept in the development world. It speaks to the importance of teamwork within multiple Scrum teams in large organizations. The agile methodology ensures that an agile team consists of five to ten people. While there are scrum teams bigger than that, most teams fall within that amount. A scrum of scrums happens when multiple scrum teams meet so that one scrum...

Many organizations today reap the benefits of using scrum for their product development. This article explains what Scrum is, how it differs from Agile and Kanban, and the importance of Scrum in Agile teams. What is Scrum? Scrum is a simple project management framework for addressing complex problems through adaptive solutions. This lightweight frame is just applicable to the software industry, but it also applies to any industry that delivers...

How do you learn scrum using Jira Software? We can show you. Scrum is a popular framework in agile software development that enables organizations to manage complex projects by breaking them into manageable tasks. It enables delivering high-quality solutions in an iterative and incremental manner through collaboration between cross-functional scrum teams. JIRA Software is a great place to learn scrum. This JIRA scrum tutorial shows how to use JIRA for...

More than just a method used to create software, Agile is ideal, a philosophy that helps optimize and streamline the product development process. An agile ceremony (also known as a Scrum ceremony) is a way to obtain quick feedback on a development project, which, in turn, improves both the final product itself and the overall culture within Agile teams. What’s more, the final result provides increased value to the final...

Looking for the best product experts to follow and learn from them as they share their experiences in product management? You’ve come to the right place! The world of product management as we know it has become more competitive than it has ever been. With more companies scrambling to innovate in order to succeed in their respective industries, a product manager’s margin for error has become smaller. According to data...

Have you ever wondered how a big league software product like Rosetta Stone is scaling their agile approach? Then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we take a look at how Rosetta Stone Agile Project Management streamlines its techniques to create a top interactive language learning tool on the market. Effective Language Programs with Multiple Teams Composed of 15 teams over eight locations around the world, Rosetta...

Wondering how to build an amazing agile team? Keep on reading then. Today, the fastest-growing companies around the world have embraced agile as a way of acing their objectives and maximizing their chances of success. According to 2022 stats shared by Zippia, 71% of companies in the United States use the Agile methodology with an estimated 64% success rate. Agile teams form the backbone of any company hoping to expect...

Interested in learning strategies to manage remote teams? Well, you’re in the right place! Working remotely was one of the least considered work methods for many organizations until 2020. At present remote working has become the norm for many organizations worldwide, and some companies are willing to continue this work mode in the long term due to its advantages. With that said, some companies face many challenges in managing remote...

There’s a well-known term in Japanese martial arts called ‘Kata’. Martial artists use it to memorize and practice various choreographed patterns of movement to develop muscle memory. The idea is to keep practicing a routine until it becomes a habit. In lean management, the Kata methodology refers to the way organizations adapt, improve, and maintain processes using routines and steps.  The Toyota Motor Corporation runs on a continuous improvement process...

Driving the development and testing of a new product can be challenging, even for experienced product teams with the best product strategy. From building a product vision to the eventual product launch, it’s an issue that a lot of startups and even established companies struggle with. The lead product manager role is the solution to that. In this article, we’ll go over what a lead product manager does, their typical responsibilities in an organization, as well as how you can become one in 2024. Let’s get...

As a project management tool, long-term agile planning prioritizes vision thinking and precise execution.  On the one hand, the planning process factors in the challenges and difficulties that pose a threat to the success of a project, prompting a rethink or adoption of a new approach. On the other hand, agile planning circumvents these impending threats such as losses in productivity or lack of immediate results on long-term projects. A...

Ecommerce sites are the business platforms of the future. The last decade has shown us the vast potential of an online store or product marketplace. However, because an eCommerce business can grow much bigger than a physical establishment, it needs someone to make sure the products are up to quality standards and that customers get the optimal experience. This is where the eCommerce product manager job title comes in. if...

With all the resources and technology at our disposal, creating a new product has never been easier. However, successfully launching that product, acquiring new users, and keeping them around is a whole different story. To speed things up and keep the acquisition costs low, more and more software companies are opting for product-led growth – a relatively new GTM strategy. If you’re a marketer, product manager, or any other key...

Want to learn how to write a group product manager resume? Well, you’re in the right place. Writing a great group product manager resume is your first step towards getting a group product manager job. It’s also the most important step of the job hunt.  That’s because your resume is the first point of contact with recruiters. On top of that, it’s the tool that opens the interview doors for...

Data product managers are professionals who occupy important roles within startups and established companies alike. As PMs who are experts in data management, data product managers leverage data to assist with new product development or to refine existing products. Many online and e-commerce businesses recruit data product managers to help them make better decisions using the data they collect on their products.  That said, since data product managers are emerging...

Customer comments are essential to delivering a quality product as a product manager. When collecting data, it’s crucial to balance quantitative feedback that provides numerical insights with qualitative feedback. Client interviews are an excellent way of collecting customer feedback to help development teams solve problems as they arise. Using the customer interview pyramid permits the collection of comments and allows teams to link opportunities to issues and offer solutions. To...

Wondering whether the Agile team stand-up ceremony is worth it? Agile is a form of project management that focuses on delivering a better overall product to clients and customers. Rather than thinking of each project as linear from point A to point B, the agile methodology breaks things down, ensuring that development teams regularly review their work output during four types of meetings, often referred to as agile ceremonies. Sprint...

Interested in learning strategies to think big and work small? You came to the right place. Product teams don’t have the luxury of reactive work, and that’s why a think big work small mentality is often key to their success.  In doing so, the team follows a compelling mission linked to a well-established coherent strategy. The mission is almost always outcome-oriented, starting with risky operations while focusing on incremental value...

Large Scale Scrum (LeSS) uses the principles of Scrum in a large-scale context where multiple teams collaborate to produce one shippable product. Like single-team Scrum, the LeSS framework includes product owners, managers, scrum masters, and scrum teams. Teams use a customer-centric approach when deciding on the various features to include during Sprint Planning sessions to deliver a successful product. There are two types of Large Scale Scrum; Basic LeSS and...

Establishing a clear workflow is a daunting pursuit for software development teams who handle large and complex projects. Teams mustn’t rely on the traditional waterfall methodology for software development. Depending on your project, it leads to delays and a higher chance of errors as teams attempt to predict every step of the project in advance. Managing a complex project requires a flexible and organized approach that accommodates changes. Agile project...

Want to learn the difference between Scrum roles and job titles? Then you’ve come to the right place. Regardless of your industry, any company that transitions to Scrum faces a key dilemma: how do you match job titles with Scrum roles? While companies all across the world share similar job titles, each one comes with its own nuances that reflect the specific responsibilities, duties, and demands of each company. On...

Would you like to know the difference between user interface and user experience? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Misused even by experts, the terms both have underlying gray areas that often confuse. There are two main components to an application’s design: the User Interface (UI) design and the User Experience (UX) design. The aesthetic component that allows users to engage with a product is the user interface design. ...

Have you thought about adopting a tool to visualize and organize projects and drive team efficiency? Kanban boards are a solid choice.  In this article, we break down what is a Kanban board and also discuss the ways in which teams use them to manage projects and turn them into success stories. To learn more via video, watch below. Otherwise, skip ahead. What is a Kanban Board? The Kanban board...

Scrum@scale provides a lightweight, transformative framework that allows organizations to adapt themslves to many scenarios that present themselves during project development. This transformation enables Scrum teams to handle communications and create strategic priorities to help meet deliverables within the budget limitations. At first glance, understanding Scrum@Scale is overwhelming. However, if you are reading on, chances are you are looking to explore further. Smart choice. This guide breaks down the core...

Curious to learn more about the technical program manager vs product manager debate? Technical program managers and product managers are similar roles. That said, it is challenging for aspiring product professionals to understand the differences between the two roles. In today’s post, we break down the roles, responsibilities, skills, and career expectations of both technical program manager and product managers. Let’s get right into the discussion. Technical Program Manager Role...

With an astounding 286 million users, Spotify is one of the world’s largest and most successful audio streaming services. Spotify owes its success to the company’s unique management strategy that helps to improve team efficiency. As Spotify’s engineering teams worked to enhance their agility, they recorded their efforts and shared their knowledge. Now, their documented practices known as the Spotify Model have transformed the way many software companies structure their...

Data science product development is the next stage in product management where data science, AI, and machine learning models help enhance product development.  Data science products help business optimize their processes, making them more efficient. They also generate new ways of bringing value to businesses. Above all, data science product development relies on constant innovation. The teams that manage data science products require a deep understanding of the product roadmap,...

Market research plays a big role in the success of a business, so it is crucial to know what the needs of your target market are. Many companies that enter a market fail because of the lack of customer research. Eric Ries, the author of The Lean Startup, says that startups fail because their product has no demand. Real client feedback and research are excellent sources of actionable information on...

Do you want to learn about scaling agile in a large organization? If so, this is the article for you.  Agile frameworks, like Scrum and kanban, have proven successful for software development teams and small software companies. Agile teams deliver large and complex solutions in a short time without compromising quality. They are more responsive to change than traditional waterfall teams. Implementing agile practices at the individual team level brings...

Agile product development is a philosophy that’s applied to PM software and product development. Scrum is its most used and popular framework. The product owner is the most important individual in the scrum framework. They are responsible for maximizing product value by defining product goals, product roadmap, and managing backlog. One of the main tasks that a product owner has to perform is backlog management. A product owner is an...

For any organization that strives to launch successful products, a senior technical product manager (PM) is an essential role. Senior technical PMS help companies move on the correct path and make their product goals become a reality. A senior technical product manager has years of experience with a strong technical background in their field of expertise. They work with multiple teams on the front line who oversee the product life-cycle...

In Agile software development, Sprint Planning is an important event that enables teams to finalize the sprint commitment in a realistic manner. This article describes the fundamentals of sprint planning and provides a step-by-step guide on how to do it.  To learn more via video, watch below. Otherwise, skip ahead. What is Sprint Planning? In Scrum methodology, a sprint is a pre-defined period that lasts for one to four weeks...

Managing all the active projects in a company can become overwhelming, even if you’re only pursuing a couple of projects at a time. It can be hard to keep track of all the tasks, product goals, team members, and more. That’s why using project management software is the ideal solution for project efficiency. Depending on your industry, the software used for project management may change a little. You’ll find that...

Wondering how to apply the Iron Triangle Model within an Agile setting? Every project’s ultimate goal is to generate the maximum value for the business. Product leaders must therefore respect the budgetary constraints, timeline, product features, and functionalities established in order to ensure that a project is successful. The Iron Triangle, also known as the Project Triangle, is a way for project managers to understand how these three major constraints,...

The world of product management is competitive and in constant evolution. To succeed in this market, companies must adapt to changing market conditions fast.  As a result, these companies must employ more efficient and sustainable methods of providing value across various portfolios. For those companies that have multiple products, agile portfolio management is the solution to delivering value at scale. In this article, we break down a step-by-step approach to...

Interested in learning how to use epics in Jira Software? You came to the right place. An epic is a major concept in Agile and DevOps environments. Epics help to organize and manage larger projects by breaking them down into smaller pieces of manageable work. Jira is a project management software that allows users to create epics and track their progress. This tutorial teaches you different ways you use epics...

Interested in learning how to use Jira and Confluence for Sprint planning? Well, this is the article for you! Jira and Confluence sprint planning are effective ways to improve your team’s project management lifestyle. Once you’ve built a resilient agile mindset, tools like Confluence and Jira software help optimize your team’s agile practices.  These two powerhouse tools provide many capabilities that help grow and scale your company. The best part...

Since its publication, the Agile Manifesto has revolutionized how people develop software and brought immense benefits to organizations around the globe.  This article explains the Agile Manifesto, its history, importance, and its 12 principles. What is the Agile Manifesto? The Agile Manifesto is a document that defines twelve principles of agile software development and four agile values. Seventeen software professionals from various technical backgrounds developed the Agile Manifesto with an...

Product management and new product development are among the most important jobs at Facebook. They come with plenty of responsibilities and undertakings. As a result, the average Facebook product manager plays a vital role in the company’s hierarchy. Product manager jobs at larger companies such as Microsoft, Google, or Amazon are usually very dynamic. Product managers can be involved in a variety of unique projects—they’re often subject to a family...

Interested in finding out what release-ready teams are? You came to the right place. Release-ready teams are agile teams that release new products and track their progress. They avoid the “once it’s released, that’s it!” mindset and instead think about how to continue to evolve and improve after releases. What is the Purpose of Release Ready Teams? These teams focus on agile release planning and strategy for new products. They...

The world of product management and product development calls for particular roles and responsibilities. Therefore, a clear understanding of the technical product manager job description is essential for any company. Many people tend to get confused when it comes to technical product managers. People assume that product managers need to have technical knowledge and skills to become technical product managers. The truth is, any tech person in product management can...

A sprint is a key component of the Agile software development methodology that helps frequent and faster software releases. This article introduces the concept of sprints, discusses the difference between Scrum and agile sprints, and guides you step-by-step on how to execute sprints.  What are Sprints? A sprint is a pre-defined period in Agile methodology that spans one to four weeks. During each sprint, Scrum teams commit to doing a...

All the members of an agile product development team have multiple responsibilities. Out of everyone in such a team, the product owner job description is probably the most diverse and important. A product development team in 2021 is radically different from one that operated even just five years ago. New technology and business methodologies have caused a dramatic shift in how product teams operate, while also making individual product team...

Product management is a field that has gained significant traction in the last several years. More and more businesses across the world understand that the proper management of their assets is key to promoting overall business growth and innovation. According to the 2021 Product Plan’s State of Product Management Report, interest in product management has doubled in the United States. That said, people across the globe still struggle to understand...

Want to learn how to use Jira for Project Management? You’ve come to the right place! Jira’s flexibility and unique tools have placed it high on project management software lists worldwide. Because Jira’s software is customizable, compatible with many plugins, and hosts an array of project management options, there are several ways to reap its benefits. Here are five key steps to using Jira for product management: Set Up Templates...

The field of data analysis – its best practices, standards, and technologies – is consistently involving. To survive in this competitive landscape, data analysts have to be on top of their games. To that end, investing in a recognized data analyst certification is a smart move. When you search for data analytics certification programs on Google, you’re presented with hundreds of search results. How can you tell which one is...

Data analysis and machine learning have remained some of the most rewarding jobs for business intelligence software and data professionals. Well-paying big data analytics and data science positions are becoming more common in the job market. Considering the market demand, it’s no surprise that data analytics boot camp programs are also more accessible than ever. In this article, I’ll list the 7 best data analytics boot camps that will hugely benefit prospective data scientists in 2024. Whether you’re looking for a career in analytical forecasting in...

Not sure how to use distributed Scrum to manage a remote team? In recent years, remote work has become more and more prevalent in all facets of work life. While the recent COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant part of this shift, many businesses have concluded that remote work is here to stay. The benefits are endless. Businesses save substantial money by not paying rent or leasing office space. What’s more,...

Interested in learning how to create burndown charts in Jira? You’ve come to the right place! The Jira burndown chart tutorial is for any agile team or team member who wants to track the progress of a sprint or epic while working with Jira software. The burndown chart provides an overview of how much work remains and how fast scrum teams work. As a project management and bug-tracking program, Jira...

Wondering what’s the truth about the technical program manager vs scrum manager debate?  In IT design, development, and product creation, technical program managers and scrum managers both play important roles from start to finish.  However, aspiring product professionals misunderstand the subtleties between technical program managers and scrum managers.  In this post, we break down the core differences between both roles to help product professionals plan successful careers in such a...

If you’re wondering how to write a group product manager (GPM) cover letter, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss how to create the best cover letter and provide examples to help you along the way. What is a Group Product Manager Cover Letter? A cover letter is a single-page of formal introduction. Applicants attach this document to a resume or curriculum vitae and give it...

Are you looking for a tutorial on how to use Advanced Scrum in Jira? Well, you’re in the right place! Jira is helping organizations automate and manage their process with agility. Agile methodologies are taking over the management processes of many organizations. Jira is one of the most popular types of software to help companies implement agile methods. Jira supports various agile frameworks, including Scrum. The software and scrum create...

Landing a job as a Microsoft product manager is the dream of any aspiring product professional. Today, Microsoft still remains one of the largest and most successful companies in the SaaS industry. According to the New York Times, Microsoft’s revenue in September 2021 stood at $45.3B with a profit margin of as much as $20.5B. Anyone aiming to sharpen their skills in product management with a gratifying work experience can...

For enterprises that strive to deliver maximum value for their customers, the Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) approach helps optimize portfolio management across the organization and mitigate the problems associated with traditional approaches. This article discusses what LPM is and how to practice it to align your business strategy, improve organizational productivity, and harness the maximum potential of your organization. What is Lean Portfolio Management? The Lean Portfolio Management (LPM) is...

The world of data analytics is complex and requires a lot of training and experience to master. That’s especially true in the machine learning, computer science, and marketing industries that require quick analyses of large data sets. In any case, data analyst training courses are a great way to learn more about data analytics best practices, and more. A lot of people find it hard to opt for a data...

Technical debt includes anything that hinders the development process. This includes both code-based and other factors that slow down software development.  Companies have to manage technical debt on a regular basis to minimize resource wastage. Development teams tend to suffer as tech debt accrues, causing friction among team members.  Compared to financial debt, technical debt accumulates due to a number of reasons beyond an organization’s control, at times. In this...

Product owners use roadmaps to plan how a product, service, or solution evolves, outlining the development of future functionality, features, or upgrades. Roadmaps serve to communicate and align stakeholders and teams. In an agile product management environment, the roadmap offers context for the day-to-day workflow of a development or product team. However, the agile nature of the roadmap makes it easy to adjust in response to market changes, release updates,...

Behind every successful product, there are a lot of stakeholders who all play critical roles in turning a vision into tangible results. One of those stakeholders is the product marketing manager (PMM) – a role that isn’t given due credit when discussing product development teams. As the name suggests, a PMM is responsible for overseeing all of the marketing programs of new and/or existing products. However, the role entails a...

Wondering what’s the verdict on the data product manager vs product manager debate? Developing a product that customers fall in love with is a challenging task. It requires experience, experimentation, skills, data, and much more to create a powerful product. A product manager is the main person who is responsible for product success. A product manager has the potential to increase company profits by 34.2% by optimizing product management. This...