I might very soon be transitioning from managing my little team to becoming our (previously nonexistant) product manager.
The role would be at the nexus of development, biz dev, and customer support with no role power over anyone - only relationship power.
Anyone want to throw in their support for SCRUM or the best way to leap into this kind of project/process/product ringleader position? I'm thinking now rather than later is the time to finally buckle down with my David Allen.
For (some) perspective, the company is 14 people, including 3 dev and 2 biz dev, so I'm not being thrown into a pit of dozens. :wink:
So far I have been putting together what I believe the role to entail so that I have some scope - the person who has asked me to do this generally wants nothing to do with formal job descriptions but without one I think getting started would be rather difficult. (Our current VP Operations - granted, who did have a history with the CEO - was hired with this job description: "You'll come here and work for us and do stuff.")
More thoughts? :D
From Managing People to Managing Process.... Hmm.
When all you have is persausion, it's so important to really understand others' expectations (so you can exceed 'em!).
First, look OUTSIDE the company: to your customers. The company's decided to put more resources against product management - that's a good thing for customers. Putting it a different way: if your position ends up having no meaningful impact on customers' experience with buying or using your products, then it's expendable.
Spend great amounts of time with development, business development and customer service- seeking to understand how this position can help THEM, and by doing do, ultimately help customers.
-Hugh
From Managing People to Managing Process.... Hmm.
You're right, Hugh - in a sense Customer Service is a very reactionary position. Our clients interact with our product and when they either have a question or a problem they contact us, and we respond to that.
The product manager (or development liason, or whatever you want to call it) is a much more forward-looking spot. How can we best serve our clients and what they need to do to build their businesses by giving them product that will get them closer to their goals?
Its exciting and just a bit scary, and I know I can do it.
I also know I need to groom my replacement as much as possible in an MT-friendly way so that I can leave my team behind without regret. :)