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Product Management Basic Guide IIMV 1724162695

The Novus Product Management Case Book 2023-2024 provides insights into the role and responsibilities of product managers, emphasizing the importance of bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application. It outlines key concepts in product management, including Agile methodology, data analytics, and emerging technologies like AI and Web 3.0. The document serves as a resource for aspiring product managers at the Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam, offering guidance on skills, strategies, and industry practices.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
56 views93 pages

Product Management Basic Guide IIMV 1724162695

The Novus Product Management Case Book 2023-2024 provides insights into the role and responsibilities of product managers, emphasizing the importance of bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application. It outlines key concepts in product management, including Agile methodology, data analytics, and emerging technologies like AI and Web 3.0. The document serves as a resource for aspiring product managers at the Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam, offering guidance on skills, strategies, and industry practices.

Uploaded by

mba guy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Presents

PRODUCT
MANAGEMENT
CASE BOOK
2023-2024
ABOUT US
Novus, the Product Management club of Indian Institute of
Management Visakhapatnam's product management club, is a haven
for aspiring product managers seeking knowledge and industry
exposure. We believe that true learning happens when theory meets
practice, which is why we don't just deliver knowledge, we provide a
platform for practical application.

Through workshops, events, and activities held throughout the year,


Novus empowers students to bridge the gap between theoretical
concepts and real-world challenges. We connect them with industry
experts, professionals, and alumni who share valuable insights and
experiences through guest lectures and panel discussions, fostering a
network of learning and collaboration.

We are the stepping stone for those who dream of shaping the future
of products. We are Novus, and we are here to equip you with the
knowledge, network, and practical experience you need to excel in the
ever-evolving world of product management.
OUR TEAM

Rohit Holam Jigyasa Hemji

Akash Patil Guneel Kumar AL

Chintan Patel Tanisha Tickoo

Adyasha Dash Preeti Verma


Table of Content
Sl.No Particulars Page No Sl.No Page No
1. Introduction to Product Management 3-5 3.3 Concept Development and Strategy 21

1.1 Defining the Role of a Product Manager 3 4. Product Strategy 23

1.2 Key Responsibilities of a Product Manager 4 4.1 Creating a Product Roadmap 23

1.3 Skills that a PM should have 5 4.2 Setting Product Goals and Objectives 26
Product Management: Key Concepts and 4.3 Competitive Analysis 29
2. 6
Terminologies
Agile Methodology
5 Product Planning and Prioritization 31
2.1 6
5.1 Building a Product Backlog 31
2.2 Web 3.0 7
5.2 Prioritizing Features and Enhancements 33
2.3 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 8
5.3 Release Planning 34
2.4 Data Analytics 10
Product Design Frameworks and User
2.5 Cloud Computing 11 6 35
Experience
2.6 Generative AI 12
6.1 User-centered Design Principles 36
2.7 Internet of Things (IoT) 14
6.2 Prototyping and Wireframing 37
2.8 AR and VR 15
6.3 Prioritizing Features and Enhancements 37
3. Product Development 16 7 Product Development and Engineering 39
3.1 Idea Generation and Validation 17 7.1 Agile and Scrum Methodologies 39
3.2 Market Research and Analysis 19 7.2 Cross-functional collaboration 42

1
Table of Content
Sl.No Particulars Page No Sl.No Particulars Page No
7.3 Development Lifecycle 43 11.2 Spotify 64

8. Product Launch 44 11.3 Inshorts 67

8.1 Go-to Market Strategies 44 11.4 Zomato 70

8.2 Product Marketing and Communication 45 11.5 Uber 74

8.3 Launch Planning and Exceution 46 11.6 Instagram 78

9. Product Metrics and Analytics 48


12 Ethical Considerations in Product Management 82
9.1 Key Performance Indicators(KPIs) 50

9.2 Tracking and analyzing user data 52 Ethical dilemmas in product development and
12.1 82
decision-making.
9.3 Iterative Imporovement 53
10 Product Lifecycle Management 55 Resources for Product Managers and Additional
13 84
10.1 Managing Product Phases 56 Tips for Interviews
10.2 Sunsetting Products 59
Books, blogs, tools, and further reading
13.1 84
11 Product Teardowns 60 recommendations.

Netflix 60 13.2 Interview Tips for Product Management Role 87


11.1

2
1. INTROD U CTION T O P R ODUC T M A NA GE M E NT
1.1 DEFINING THE ROLE OF A PRODUCT MANAGER:

The role of a Product Manager (PM) is crucial within many companies, although it can
sometimes lack a clear definition. PMs play a significant role in guiding product
development and are accountable for the success of their products. Think of PMs as
individuals who gather and utilize information to shape the long-term strategic direction
and vision of their products. They do this by considering:

Strategic Goals: They align the product's direction with the broader strategic
goals of the business.
Market Demands and Opportunities: They stay attuned to the needs and
opportunities in the market, identifying trends and potential areas for the
product to address.
Available Resources: They assess the technological and financial resources at
their disposal to turn the product vision into reality.

DEFINING THE ROLE OF A PRODUCT MANAGER:

Simply put, product management is an appealing career choice since it is a cross-


functional position that lies at the intersection of technology, sales & marketing, and
business. A PM closely interacts with the C-suite and consumers while also fully owning
the product. PMs establish the strategy and vision for a product, specify what success
looks like, and make value-driven choices. They identify client pain points, translate
needs into clear problem statements, and come up with solutions that raise consumer
satisfaction while generating profit.

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1. INTROD U CTION T O P R ODUC T M A NA GE M E NT
1.2 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF A PRODUCT MANAGER

The day-to-day responsibilities of a Product Manager (PM) can vary based on factors such as
the type of product, its stage in the lifecycle, and the specific company's practices. However,
here are some key functions that a PM is typically expected to perform:
Research & Planning: This is often the initial phase of product development, where the
PM identifies the problem, they aim to solve. This motivation can come from various
sources like customer requests, competitive analysis, innovative technology, market
research, or a long-term product vision. After defining the problem, the PM creates a
roadmap for the product, outlining what needs to be done, when, and by whom. This
roadmap is based on thorough market research and an understanding of the team's
capabilities. It is crucial to identify the right features and set measurable success metrics,
which requires close collaboration with engineering and sales and marketing teams.
Design: Product design involves refining the identified features based on the success
metrics. This stage shapes the expected functionality of the product and includes aspects
like UI/UX design and defining how the product will look. The level of detail and
documentation in this phase can vary significantly across companies. Some require PMs
to create detailed functional specification documents, while others follow a more
iterative and collaborative approach with developers, testers, and other stakeholders.
Implementation & Testing: During implementation, the engineering team starts coding
and developing the product. The PM's role here is to prioritize tasks, monitor progress,
and adjust as needed. This can involve changing features, making them more feasible to
implement, or optimizing work schedules for efficiency. PMs also play a crucial role in
gathering feedback and identifying bugs in the initial stages of product development. This

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1. INTROD U CTION T O P R ODUC T M A NA GE M E NT
is done through usability studies, experiments, and using the product themselves. Usability studies involve participants trying out prototype
versions of the product to achieve specific goals.
Release: When the development phase is complete, the PM prepares for the product launch. This entails tasks like going through a launch
checklist, obtaining final approvals, addressing legal matters, and ensuring that the teams are ready to support the product in the future.
Depending on the company's structure, the PM may either hand over the product to other teams for ongoing support or continue to be
involved in its management.

1.3 SKILLS THAT A PM SHOULD HAVE


A competent product manager (PM) should have a broad range of capabilities that allow them to efficiently direct and oversee the development
of products. A project manager should have the following essential skills and qualities:

Strategic Thinking: PMs must think strategically to link the product to the overall goals and long-term vision of the organization. They must
make decisions that advance the success of the product in a wider context.
Market expertise: It's essential to have a thorough awareness of the market, including client requirements, market trends, and competitors.
This entails conducting market research, analyzing client feedback, and following industry developments.
Data Analysis: PMs should be at ease with analytics and data. They make data-driven decisions, establish goals, and monitor the
performance of their products.
Although PMs aren't often designers, they should have a solid grasp of user experience (UX) design principles and know how to make
products that are easy to use.
Technical Knowledge: It is crucial to have a fundamental understanding of the technology and development procedures used to create the
product. As a result, PMs can interact with engineering teams more effectively and decide on technical trade-offs with greater knowledge.
Strong project management abilities are necessary to organize, execute out, and keep track of the development of a product. Agile and
Scrum techniques, for example, can be useful tools.
Effective task and feature prioritization requires PMs to consider the impact on customers, resource limitations, and strategic importance.

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2 . PR OD U CT M ANAGE M E NT : KE Y C ONC E P TS
AND TE RM INOLOGIE S
2.1 AGILE METHODOLOGY:

The Agile methodology is structured as an iterative approach, where enhancements are gradually incorporated at each stage. It emphasizes
close teamwork with cross-functional groups. It is adaptable throughout the process and facilitates prompt responses to customer needs.
Key characteristics of the Agile methodology include:
a. Prioritizing personal interactions and teamwork over rigid processes and tools.
b. Giving precedence to functional software over extensive documentation.
c. Emphasizing strong collaboration with the customer rather than focusing solely on contract negotiations.

AGILE PRINCIPLES:
Customer satisfaction is the highest priority.
Welcoming changing requirements.
Delivering work frequently.
Business and tech to work together frequently throughout.
People-driven development, with maximum support for teams.
Preference for face-to-face communication.
Working software is the primary measure of success.
Sustainable development.
Attention to detail, technical excellence, and good design.
Simplicity is essential.
Self-organizing teams.
Teams reflect on regular intervals on what could be done better.

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AND TE RM INOLOGIE S

2.2 WEB 3.0 :


Web 3.0, also known as Web3, is the third generation of the World Wide Web. Web 3.0, which refers to the internet as a network of
meaningfully linked data, is intended to be decentralized, available to everyone, and constructed from the ground up using blockchain
technology.
Web 3.0 differs from Web 2.0 and Web 1.0 in that it is built on a particular set of values, technical requirements, and guiding principles. Web
3.0 imagines a society without centralized corporations, one in which individuals oversee their own data and where transactions are openly
recorded on databases that are accessible to anybody.
Web 3.0 means immersing yourself in the digital experience, and it involves concepts like individual control of personal data, cryptocurrency,
and decentralized record keeping on the blockchain. Whereas Web 2.0 operates on fiat money, Web 3.0 relies on cryptocurrencies and a
decentralized finance (DeFi) model.

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AND TE RM INOLOGIE S

2.3 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING :


Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the replication of human-like thinking and actions in machines through programming. It encompasses the
development of machines that exhibit characteristics akin to human cognition, including learning and problem-solving.
Machine Learning (ML) is an approach to data analysis that automates the creation of analytical models. It falls under the umbrella of AI and
is grounded in the concept that systems can acquire knowledge from data, recognize patterns, and make decisions with minimal human
intervention.
Deep Learning, a subset of machine learning, employs multiple layers to gradually extract more advanced features from raw input data.

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AND TE RM INOLOGIE S
TYPES OF MACHINE LEARNING ALGORITHMS :
Supervised Learning Algorithm
Supervised learning is a type of Machine learning in which the machine needs external supervision to learn. The supervised learning models are
trained using the labeled dataset. Once the training and processing are done, the model is tested by providing sample test data to check whether
it predicts the correct output.
Unsupervised Learning Algorithm
It is a type of machine learning in which the machine does not need any
external supervision to learn from the data, hence called unsupervised
learning. The unsupervised models can be trained using the unlabeled dataset
that is not classified, nor categorized, and the algorithm needs to act on that
data without any supervision. In unsupervised learning, the model doesn't
have a predefined output, and it tries to find useful insights from the huge
amount of data. These are used to solve the Association and Clustering
problems.
Reinforcement Learning
In Reinforcement learning, an agent interacts with its environment by
producing actions, and learns with the help of feedback. The feedback is given
to the agent in the form of rewards, such as for each good action, he gets a
positive reward, and for each bad action, he gets a negative reward. There is
no supervision provided by the agent. Q-Learning algorithm is used in
reinforcement learning.

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2.4 DATA ANALYTICS :
Data analytics is the process of extracting valuable insights and patterns from raw data
to inform business decisions. It encompasses data collection from diverse sources,
cleaning and preparing the data, conducting exploratory analysis, employing statistical
methods, using machine learning algorithms, and visualizing the findings. This analytical
approach empowers product managers by providing them with:
User Insights: Analyzing user data helps product managers understand customer
behavior, preferences, and challenges. This knowledge guides product development,
feature prioritization, and the creation of personalized user experiences.
Market Analysis: Data analytics enables product managers to monitor market trends,
identify competitors, and discover new opportunities. This information informs
decisions related to product positioning, pricing strategies, and market expansion.
Performance Optimization: By analyzing product usage and performance metrics,
product managers can pinpoint areas for improvement. This allows them to optimize
features, enhance user experience, and increase product adoption and retention
rates.
Informed Decision-Making: Data-driven decision-making is a fundamental aspect of
effective product management. Utilizing data analytics, product managers can
weigh options, assess risks, and align product strategies with business objectives,
resulting in more informed and successful decision-making.

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AND TE RM INOLOGIE S
2.5 CLOUD COMPUTING :
Cloud computing refers to the convenient access, via the internet, to a wide range of
computing resources, such as applications, servers (both physical and virtual), data
storage, development tools, and networking capabilities. These resources are hosted at a
remote data center managed by a cloud services provider (CSP) and are made available to
users either through a monthly subscription fee or a pay-as-you-go model based on actual
usage.
Compared to the traditional approach of managing IT infrastructure on-site, cloud
computing offers several advantages:
Enhanced Agility and Speed: Cloud services enable rapid access to enterprise
applications within minutes, eliminating the lengthy processes associated with
provisioning hardware and software. Additionally, certain users like developers and
data scientists can independently access the resources they need.
Scalability and Cost Efficiency: Cloud computing offers scalability, allowing users to
adjust capacity based on demand. Instead of investing in excess capacity that may
remain underutilized during slow periods, users can easily scale resources up or
down as needed.
Cost Savings: Cloud computing allows organizations to reduce IT costs by
outsourcing tasks such as purchasing, installation, configuration, and maintenance
of on-premises infrastructure.

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AND TE RM INOLOGIE S
2.6 GENERATIVE AI :
Generative AI is a technology that enables users to swiftly produce fresh content based on various inputs. These inputs and outputs can
encompass text, images, sounds, animations, 3D models, or other forms of data. Generative AI models utilize neural networks to recognize
patterns and structures within existing data, facilitating the creation of new and original content.
One significant advancement in generative AI is its capacity to employ diverse learning approaches, including unsupervised or semi-
supervised learning during training. This capability enables organizations to more efficiently harness large amounts of unlabeled data to
establish foundation models. These foundation models serve as a basis for AI systems that can perform a wide range of tasks.
Examples of such foundation models include GPT-3 and Stable Diffusion, both of which empower users in the realm of language and
content creation.

Generative AI and the changing face


of Software Development Lifecycle

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AND TE RM INOLOGIE S

For instance, applications like ChatGPT, based on GPT-3, allow users to generate essays based on short text prompts. Meanwhile, Stable
Diffusion enables users to create photorealistic images from textual inputs. The key requirements for a successful generative AI model
encompass:

Quality: Particularly crucial for applications that directly engage with users, ensuring high-quality output generation is paramount. For
instance, in speech generation, it's vital for the generated speech to be easily understandable. Similarly, in image generation, the
desired outputs should closely resemble natural images.
Diversity: A strong generative model can capture fewer common patterns within its data distribution without compromising generation
quality. This helps mitigate unwanted biases in the learned models.
Speed: Many interactive applications necessitate rapid content generation, such as real-time image editing for use in content creation
workflows.

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2.7 INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT) :


IoT, short for the Internet of Things, is a network of interconnected devices that communicate and share data with other IoT devices and the
cloud. These devices, ranging from machinery to everyday objects, are equipped with sensors and software for data exchange.
Businesses across various industries are increasingly adopting IoT to enhance efficiency, provide better customer service, improve decision-
making, and boost their overall value. IoT enables automated data transfer over networks, eliminating the need for direct human interaction.
It comprises smart devices with embedded systems like processors, sensors, and communication hardware. These devices collect and send
data to an IoT gateway, acting as a central hub. Before sharing data, it can also be analyzed locally at an edge device, reducing data sent to
the cloud and conserving bandwidth. IoT devices often communicate with each other and perform tasks autonomously, though human
interaction for setup, instructions, and data access is possible. The choice of connectivity and communication protocols depends on the
specific IoT application in use.

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AND TE RM INOLOGIE S
2.8 AR AND VR :
Augmented Reality (AR) involves adding computer-generated enhancements to the real world, often
used for displaying overlays like sports game scores or creating 3D pop-ups for messages and images.
It has evolved into mobile applications that blend digital elements with the physical environment.

Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer-generated simulation of real-life situations or environments. VR


relies on VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) to create images and define interactions, immersing
users in a simulated reality that mimics sight and sound.
Since AR pushes real-time, non-disruptive information to your eyes, it can deliver information so you
don’t need to look at your phone, which comes in handy when a glance away might be dangerous or
impractical.

Since AR pushes real-time, non-disruptive information to your eyes, it can deliver information so you
don’t need to look at your phone, which comes in handy when a glance away might be dangerous or
impractical.

The applications are endless. For example, an AR app might help you try on a garment from the
comfort of home or see how a new piece of furniture looks in your living room.
Plus, visuals can be added upon cue to make a museum tour more meaningful and engaging, for
example.
And soon, cyclists, skiers, and other athletes might wonder what they ever did without the safety of AR
real-time data and GPS function as it keeps their attention on the path ahead.

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3. NE W P ROD U CT DE V E LOP M E NT

Product development is the journey of bringing a new product to market. It includes all the stages that product managers and product
development teams go through to get a new product idea to life, from ideation and research to concept development, prototyping, mass
production, and market launch. As organizations are striving to be more innovative and agile, product development has become a focus for
business industry leaders. Many organizations use advanced approaches to take over market share and disrupt their respective industries.
In today’s business climate, the ability to quickly bring new products to market has become a matter of survival for many companies. The
pressure to innovate and stay ahead of the competition has led organizations to invest more heavily in new products. Here are some other
key purposes of product development.
One of the goals of product development is to develop a premium-quality product. Customers expect high quality from the products
they purchase. Companies must meet these expectations to retain the existing customers and attract new ones.
Another purpose of product development is to create unique products and offer a competitive advantage. It could be in the form of a
new feature, a better design, or a lower price point.
It also aims to develop profitable products to generate revenue for the company.

New Product Development

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3. NE W P ROD U CT DE V E LOP M E NT

3.1 IDEA GENERATION AND VALIDATION

The idea generation stage is pivotal to the product development process. It is where you:
Answer the big questions. Some of the biggest hurdles you will face throughout the new product development process appear during
the ideation phase. Your team will have to answer questions like, what makes this new product idea unique? Who is the target
customer? Does this new product idea solve the customer’s problem? By working out the answers to these questions, you will gain a
deeper understanding of your customers’ needs, and what you are trying to achieve.
Harness the creativity of your team. Product ideation is not a solo endeavor. The combined creative input of team members is
invaluable when it comes to conjuring up a new product idea. Ideally, a well-chosen team of about 2-8 subject matter experts (SMEs)
should be involved in an ideation session. For example, a typical session might include a product owner, product manager, a designer,
and a software engineer. This would allow for a wide range of perspectives to be shared, challenged, or even joined together to create a
pool of promising ideas.
Put the customer front and center. Product ideation is not only about producing the best new product concept; it is about choosing
one that aligns with your company’s strategic goals, and more importantly, the needs of your potential customer. Your team must keep
the customer at the forefront of their minds when teasing out a new idea.

THE BENEFITS OF STRUCTURED IDEA GENERATION

Although the concept of ‘structured creativity’ might seem like an oxymoron, it’s actually a useful way of approaching product ideation.
There are several reasons why a structured idea-generation session may yield better results than a spontaneous brainstorm.
Structure makes sessions more productive. Sessions are inefficient when everyone is just shouting out ideas to be jotted down on a
whiteboard. By utilizing a framework, your team will be better able to share suggestions and stay focused on the task at hand.

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3. NE W P ROD U CT DE V E LOP M E NT

Structured sessions can help kickstart creativity. Most ideation frameworks include prompts or headings which draw out the answers to
pertinent questions. Meanwhile, adopting a structured approach based on a framework allows participants to see new perspectives,
which in turn can ignite creativity.
Having structures in place from the very beginning sets the right tone for the remainder of the process. With a proper framework in
place, your team will be able to think through an idea and create an implementation plan – whether you’re ready to launch the final
product or in the idea validation phase.

WHY SHOULD IDEAS BE VALIDATED?


Innovative ideas have unpredictable elements and if some of them go wrong, it can destroy your plans at once. Validation reduces the risk,
speeds up the delivery of a value-creating service in the market, and minimizes the costs. An idea should be validated before investing a
significant amount of time and resources in developing it to avoid building and launching a product or concept no one wants or isn’t willing
to pay for. The purpose of idea validation is to make sure your idea has real demand, otherwise there is a real risk of it becoming “just
another cool idea”. The idea must either be able to solve a real problem, fulfill its intended purpose or appeal to other incentives.
Validating the problem first and seeing if your solution can solve that problem is typically the smartest approach. Creating a solution first
and only then looking for a problem it could solve is a bad idea if you want to minimize the risks. Google Glass is just one example of a
seemingly promising idea that was executed but no one really wanted or needed. Not only was it marketed badly, but it also looked
unattractive and had some safety and health concerns. Its ridiculously high price tag ($1500) did not make the situation any better,
especially when it failed to offer a clear benefit for the user. It was unclear why people might need it in the first place except for violating
other people’s privacy more easily.

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3.2 MARKET RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS


Market research for new product development can focus on different areas. You can
research market viability, the demand for the product you have in mind, the features
your target group is looking for, or the best way to position, price, communicate and
market your product to your target audience. You consider your competitors, market
developments, and important trends. And whether you are running market research
for a startup or a massive brand, it is an essential step to make sure your new
products hit the mark.

Market research for new product development is all about identifying


opportunities and finding out if it’s worth bringing your product idea to life. And if so,
how to do that in the best way. It’s about more than what the competition is doing,
and if your target audience would be willing to spend money on you. You can also dive
into market trends to identify the best ways to market your product.

You can use market research to fine-tune your product development and the relevant aspects around it. Based on how your audience is
developing, what price and type of message would grab their attention? What kind of marketing tactics are likely to work, and what channels
dominate your market. Consumer research is about understanding all the aspects of your market. You can approach it as a big puzzle, and once
you have all the pieces in place, you can proudly present a solid plan or research to your investors and team, to help them understand why your
product development idea is worth working on.

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WHY DO MARKET RESEARCH FOR NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT?


Market research for your new product development strategy helps you minimize risks and prepares you for a successful product launch.
You get to know your market and audience in a way that helps you create not just the perfect product concept, but also the right
messaging and marketing around it—something that will resonate with your audience. Market research is used to base your decisions on
facts, not just ideas and hunches – however good you might be at guessing games. Before spending time and money on a product idea, you
get a good idea of how likely it is to be a success. This will also help you plan how much time and money you’ll need.
Investors and stakeholders will also want to see market research if you want to launch a new idea: they want some kind of security that the
product will actually sell. Even though market research isn’t a crystal ball and doesn’t predict the future, when it’s done right, it can give
you a clear picture of how your product concept will be welcomed into the market.
Market research is not only important to verify if your completely new product idea is worth the work. You can also use it to
optimize existing products, by keeping a close eye on how competitors are changing their products. You might even read online reviews on
products like yours and see that customers are asking for specific features. This is also market research. This also goes for adding new
products to a line to supplement your current assortment, or if you want to start an entirely new adventure with your breakthrough
product idea. Market research for product development, whether new or existing, is all about listening to what is happening in the market.
Step outside of your organization and ask the people who pay for your products how you would make them even happier or find out what
trends you can jump onto now, so you can become a frontrunner in the future. Product development should not just be done in-house,
with your designers and developers closely looking at the product. It’s easy to get tunnel vision and build a product that’s more focused on
what you can and want to deliver, and less on what the customer wants. Market research done right forces you to step out of that bubble
and not just look at how you can make the product shinier, faster, and stronger, but how you can give it the right place in the market.
Because product development is also developing a marketing and sales strategy. It’s having a customer journey and experience ready to
put the product in and turn your customers into fans. All you need to do is talk to them! Moreover, market research helps you determine
what the marketing mix should look like, since developing a new product is never about a product.

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3.3 CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING

Concept testing is a crucial stage when developing new products. Before you launch a new product in the market, you must understand how
your customers will respond and how the product will perform. Concept testing helps you avoid costly errors and nasty surprises; it is much
better to understand your market and make a more confident and successful product launch. In this article, we’ll show you how concept
testing works and how to do it. Let’s start with a more in-depth definition.

What is concept testing?


A concept is a precursor to every great product. It’s a detailed outline of what you’re going to produce, who it’s for, the problems it will
solve, how it will work, how much it will cost, and much more. To ensure your concept is ready to go to market, it’s essential to test it
properly with real customers. This process is called concept testing, and in the rest of this article, we’ll talk about why this is so important
and how to do it methodically.

THE BENEFITS OF CONCEPT TESTING


Concept testing is the process of testing your concept before launch, so you can confidently put it into the market with a pretty good
understanding of how your customers will feel and how they will respond.
There are several different methods spanning both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Still, they all involve presenting concepts to
consumers and getting feedback about different attributes.
There are multiple reasons to do concept testing, such as:
You get real feedback from users. Designers and product teams are often too close to the product to make clear-headed decisions, and
they might overlook some crucial things. Concept testing allows you to access honest feedback from your target customers, which you
can’t replicate with your internal team.

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3. NE W P ROD U CT DE V E LOP M E NT

It helps you notice flaws. No concept has ever been perfect. Testing your product with real users enables you to detect problems that
flew under the radar in the design phase, giving you many new pairs of eyes.
It allows you to refine your concept. Before testing, your product is a rough prototype with all the major pieces in place, but it probably
needs some extra work. By shedding light on what consumers think, testing gives you some direction for refining and improving your
product so that it’s more likely to gain traction when it hits the shelves.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CONCEPT TESTING

The above benefits are essential for many reasons. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider concept testing in new product
development:
It’s easier to get backing for your product. Testing gives concrete data about how customers feel about your brand’s products. You can
then use this data to make a compelling case to others in the organization about why you are making certain decisions. With this data,
it’s no longer a matter of personal opinion, and it will be much easier to convince others.
It helps you find out what your customers like the most about the product. Concept testing is beneficial not just for that specific
product and how to market it but also allows you to make better decisions in the future by focusing on the things that people like most
and targeting popular pain points with different products.

It allows you to identify a reasonable price point. It’s common to ask users how much they would expect to pay for a product during
testing. This helps inform your decisions about how much to price your product.

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4. PROD U CT S TRAT E GY

4.1 CREATING A PRODUCT ROADMAP

What is a product roadmap?


A product roadmap is a high-level visual summary
that maps out the vision and direction of your
product offering over time. A product roadmap
communicates the why and what behind what you’re
building. A roadmap is a strategic document and a
plan for executing product strategy.
The product roadmap has several ultimate goals:
Describe the vision and strategy
Provide a guiding document for executing the
strategy
Get internal stakeholders in alignment
Facilitate discussion of options and scenario
planning
Help communicate with external stakeholders,
including customers

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4. PROD U CT S TRAT E GY

WHY IS A PRODUCT ROADMAP IMPORTANT?

Product roadmaps encapsulate how the product strategy becomes a reality. They take many competing priorities and boil them down to
what is most important, leaving shiny objects by the wayside in favor of work that moves the needles stakeholders really care about.
They are also a source of inspiration, motivation, and shared ownership of the product and its successes. All the work individual
contributors do often only make sense within the context of the product roadmap and knowing that plan and what the organization hopes
it will bring can get naysayers onboard.
Product roadmaps are one of the few things everyone in the organization will be exposed to, as sales pitches, marketing plans, and
financials are usually held closer to the vest. For many workers, it’s their only glimpse of where the product and organization are heading
and why certain decisions were made. They provide a shared, collective understanding of the vision, goals, and objectives for everyone in
the company.
Product roadmaps also help organizations avoid chaos from reigning, pet projects from sliding into the implementation queue, and wasting
resources on less important tasks. They are the beacon, the focal point, and the guideposts for everyone bringing the product to market.

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4. PROD U CT S TRAT E GY

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PRODUCT ROADMAP?

Product roadmap creation should be a group effort, but the product


management team should ultimately be responsible for their creation
and maintenance. This combination of collaboration and discrete
ownership gets stakeholders onboard while maintaining informational
integrity and avoiding a free-for-all atmosphere. Product management
should begin with a clear understanding of both the products and the
overall organization’s strategic objectives, which comes from the
executive team. Then, with the desired outcomes in mind, product
management can create the key themes for this portion of the product’s
lifecycle.
Roadmaps support outcome-driven planning. Next, it’s time to dive into
the backlog and see which items match up with those larger themes
before engaging in a prioritization exercise with various internal (and
potentially external) stakeholders to see what will have the biggest
impact or greatest ROI. Once everything is sorted and ranked, the
product team can then start slotting things in, checking in frequently
with the implementation team to ensure the prioritized goals and themes
of the roadmap are feasible and worth the effort.

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4. PROD U CT S TRAT E GY

4.2 SETTING PRODUCT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES


Product goals are product features that help users accomplish specific product-related tasks. Product goals help us
understand what product features we should include in the design, and they also help product managers
communicate the product vision with the team.
Product goals should always describe what product users will achieve using a particular feature or functionality.
This description helps the teams prioritize their work and ensures that all team members remain focused on achieving
product success.
An excellent way to think about product goals is as a problem/solution statement – for example: “ensures reliable
shipping” would be an example of a shipping goal. We usually start the work with a product goal in mind.
Like any other managerial job here, It’s the product manager’s job to identify product goals and communicate them
with other team members. Product goals should always be measurable as they will help set the direction.
For example, if we had a shipping feature as one of your product goals and someone asked you: “how do you know
when the shipping feature is ready” – you would answer by saying: “the feature will support real-time carrier quotes
for all destination zip codes.”
A set of product goals forms what is known as a product roadmap (product strategy) that describes how users can
achieve meaningful results or solve specific problems. The product roadmap helps determine what features to build
next – it allows for collaboration between teams and product managers. The product roadmap helps product
managers set the product direction, visualize product goals, and determine what needs to be done before
transitioning to the next product goal. Product managers can add or remove product goals from a roadmap at any
time.

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4. PROD U CT S TRAT E GY

HOW ARE PRODUCT GOALS IMPORTANT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION?

We will reiterate a famous saying that ‘If you intend to be successful, set a goal that commands your dreams, liberates your energy and
helps realize your aspirations.’
Product goals help you diligently streamline your product visions and ideas, form strategies around them, and later set a deadline to
realize it.
Product goals serve an essential purpose because of the following reasons:
1. With the goals in hand, teams get a list of all features to be included in the product, ensuring that all development work is valuable and
relevant to users’ needs.
2. They help product teams communicate product vision within the group. It allows product managers to set direction and message
management strategies that are easy for teams to understand.
3. Product goals help prioritize work and ensure that all product development work is valuable and relevant.
4. They define how you will know when the product is ready, allowing product managers to measure progress to see if they are on track or
not.
5. Product goals help product managers set the product strategy. During visioning, product managers work with marketing to define
roadmaps and plan to help them meet their business objectives while also delivering value to users.

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4. PROD U CT S TRAT E GY

HOW TO SET PRODUCT GOALS?

Setting a product goal can be one of the most grueling tasks for a product manager, and this is because it requires a collaborative approach.
Here are the following steps which a product manager should undertake to set product goals.
Step: 1
Share the product vision with various teams. Communication and collaboration are the keys to almost all product-related initiatives, especially
while setting product goals, because it’s crucial to get all the team members on board beforehand. This approach will minimize the chances of
trifles and unnecessary confusion.
Step: 2
Bring all these product teams together to establish product themes from the vision document. Identify specific features needed to deliver on
each product theme. Bear in mind that not every feature will get developed or released at once. That is why it is critical to keep a high-level
picture of what the product roadmap looks like over time, so you don’t lose sight of your product goals and priorities.
Step: 3
Prioritize product roadmaps based on business objectives, and user needs using rigorous prioritization frameworks like AARRR or Kano Model.
Ensure that you clearly understand how each new feature helps users achieve their goals more effectively.
Step: 4
Just because you identify a product theme as a product goal doesn’t mean it gets developed. Every product has many goals, so don’t confuse
this with a product roadmap. Product roadmaps show how you will build new features, while product goals help set priorities within that
roadmap around themes and features around those themes.
Step: 5
Bring everything together to establish product goals from your product vision and themes to your product roadmap.
Remember that your product manager should define every product goal in collaboration with all cross-functional team members.

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4. PROD U CT S TRAT E GY

4.3 COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS


Competitors make our own products better—they create urgency and drive innovation
by providing both motivation and a measuring stick. If your product is the only one in
the market, you’re either first (but not for long) or trying to serve a need that doesn’t
exist. Competition validates the market and provides context for everyone involved.
Paying attention to what competitors are up to is important for everyone, but for
product managers, it can be particularly valuable. Not only does competitive analysis
illustrate a product’s strengths and weaknesses in comparison to those from other
vendors, but it can also inform the product strategy as well as how to sell and position
the product. Competitive analysis might seem like a pain in the neck and activity that
pulls you away from your job of working on your own products. But popping your head
up and looking around at what’s going on in your neighborhood has plenty of upsides.

Trendspotting
While your customer and prospect interactions provide lots of insight into what’s
happening in the market, observing what competitors are up to can be equally
enlightening. You can see when new technologies and applications move from being
discussed with analysts and the media to actually showing up in products. You can
discover completely new applications and target markets for your product category
emerging, plus you can see which positioning terminology and topics are gaining
steam (or fading away).

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4. PROD U CT S TRAT E GY

Updating table stakes


In a multi-vendor marketplace, there’s a certain functionality that simply must be present to
even begin the conversation with prospects. But what was required when you developed your
MVP three years ago may have evolved since then. Identifying whether you have the bare
minimum to compete and are meeting the expectations of prospects is product management’s
job, and it’s far better than finding out during a disastrous sales call.

COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
The price is right… or is it?
Figuring out what to charge for enterprise software or SaaS solutions is a dark art, but building
a pricing strategy in a vacuum is downright foolish. No matter how great your solution may be,
if you’re charging twice as much as something comparable, you’re not going to win many
deals. Knowing how competitors are packaging and pricing their products ensures the sticker
price won’t induce shock or leave a margin on the table.
Keeping up with Joneses
While a product doesn’t need to replicate every single feature its competitors offer, it helps to
know what others are including and to decide if your solution should boost that capability as
well. Even if you opt not to add smell-o-vision or 3D renderings, your team will know the other
product has it and can address it during sales calls and trade shows if it comes up.
Learning from their mistakes
Your product is going to make bad bets, investing in features that don’t get adopted and technologies replaced so rapidly it wasn’t worth
bothering to support them at all. But in a competitive market, some of those misbegotten adventures can be avoided by observing the stumbles
and missteps of competitors. Sometimes sitting back to see how things pan out for your peers is a wise move before dipping your own toes in.

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5. PR OD U CT P LANNING AND P RI OR I TI Z A TI ON

5.1 BUILDING A PRODUCT BACKLOG

A product backlog is an ordered list of tasks, features, or items to be completed as part of a larger roadmap. Product creation begins with
an idea, and it takes a dedicated team to create something special. Yes, even the iPhone was once just a prototype that made its way to
mainstream popularity thanks to the right team. When managing a Scrum team of developers, staying organized is crucial for product
success.
So how can development teams stay organized and meet their goals? With tried and true to-do lists. A product backlog is essentially a
specialized to-do list. It’s an ordered list of tasks, features, or items to be completed as part of a larger product roadmap. If your team uses
the Agile methodology, a product backlog can help you break down projects and initiatives to determine which tasks are most important.
Read on to find out what a product backlog includes and how to create one for your team.

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5. PR OD U CT P LANNING AND P RI OR I TI Z A TI ON
BUILDING A PRODUCT BACKLOG

4 steps to create a product backlog


A product backlog is more than a simple to-do list—it’s where you break down complex tasks into a series of steps and delegate them to team
members. Follow these four steps to develop an effective product backlog.
1. Build a product roadmap
The product roadmap is the foundation for the product backlog. Your team should create a roadmap first, which will then serve as the action
plan for how your product will change as it develops. The roadmap is the vision for long-term product development, but it can also evolve.
Read: Project roadmaps: What they are and why you need them
2. List product backlog items
With your product roadmap in mind, your team can begin listing product backlog items. These items should include both high-priority items and
more abstract ideas. During this phase of product backlog creation, you’ll also need to communicate with stakeholders and listen to their ideas
for product improvements. If you’re using the Agile method, you can organize this conversation as part of your sprint planning meeting.
3. Prioritize your backlog
After your team lists all the product backlog items, sort and prioritize your most important tasks. You can identify top-priority items by putting
the customer front of mind and considering what items provide the most value to them.
4. Update regularly
As your team works through the product backlog, remember that it’s a living document. You can continuously add items to the backlog and
prioritize or refine them as you work.

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5. PR OD U CT P LANNING AND P RI OR I TI Z A TI ON

HOW TO PRIORITIZE PRODUCT BACKLOG ITEMS


An essential component of managing the product backlog is prioritizing tasks. As the Scrum master, you should have a thorough
understanding of what new features stakeholders want to see in the product. Here are some strategies on how to prioritize backlog list items.

5.2 PRIORITIZING FEATURES AND ENHANCEMENTS


As mentioned, there are plenty of people who have made money out of
organising developers and will want to sell you their "fail-proof" method.
Still, there are also plenty of resources bolted onto services you already use.
But first, I'd like to make a few points. Whatever methods you choose, five
things are necessary to make it work:
The company has a reasonable level of functionality. High staff turnover
or absenteeism makes it hard to get tasks completed. I once worked in a
company where my department had five different managers in five
months. Every time a new one started, the tasks and priorities changed.
The product manager is respected and in a position of authority. This
means when they set deadlines or allocate tasks, they are treated as if
they were set by the CTO and CEO (or if you're a freelancer, the person
who processes your invoices.)
The CXO/Senior management are hands-off enough to allocate responsibility to the product manager and good communicators - if
something needs to change, they are able to articulate the reasons instead of simply pulling rank.
Team members are appropriately skilled to complete the tasks (or the company is receptive to hiring higher-skilled freelancers).

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5. PR OD U CT P LANNING AND P RI OR I TI Z A TI ON

5.3 RELEASE PLANNING


Release planning is about making the scope, date, and budget trade-offs for incremental deliveries. It is all about ‘high-level planning’ of multiple
sprints (three to twelve iterations). Most of the times, it is sensible and important to carry out Initial Release Planning after product planning and
before beginning the first Sprint related to the Release.
At this point, you can make an initial release plan showing a balance between how much can be built in the release against when the release will
be available. You can generate and estimate a sufficient number of product backlog items to get an idea of when you can deliver a fixed set of
features.

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6. PRODUCT DESIGN FRAMEWORKS AND USER
EXPERIENCE
Product design frameworks and user experience (UX) are interrelated elements that play a critical role in developing successful and user-
centric products. Design frameworks like Design Thinking and Agile offer structured methodologies for analyzing user needs, brainstorming
ideas, and iterating on designs.

These frameworks place a high priority on empathy, cooperation, and adaptability, ensuring that the user is at the heart of the design
process. Concurrently, UX encompasses the entire user experience with a product, from the first interaction to continuing involvement. A
smooth and engaging user experience addresses not just the practical needs of the user but also their emotional and aesthetic
preferences.

By integrating design frameworks with a focus on UX, designers can navigate complex challenges, align their efforts with user expectations,
and deliver products that resonate with and delight their target audience.

6.1 USER-CENTERED DESIGN PRINCIPLES

User-Centered Design (UCD) principles are fundamental guidelines that inform the design process by placing the user and their needs at
the forefront. Here are some key UCD principles and brief explanations for each:

1. Empathy: Understand and empathize with your users' perspectives, needs, and pain points. This principle encourages designers to see
the world through the users' eyes, fostering a deeper connection and better insights into their experiences.
2. User Involvement: Involve users throughout the design process, from research and ideation to testing and feedback gathering. By
collaborating with users, designers can ensure that the final product aligns with their expectations and requirements.
3. Iterative Design: Embrace an iterative approach, continuously refining and improving the design based on user feedback and evolving
insights. Iteration allows for a more user-centric product by addressing issues and making enhancements as they emerge.

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6. PRODUCT DESIGN FRAMEWORKS AND USER
EXPERIENCE
4. Consistency: Maintain a consistent user interface and user experience across your product. Consistency helps users navigate your
product with ease, as they can rely on familiar patterns and interactions.

5. Accessibility: Ensure that your product is accessible to users of all abilities, including those with disabilities. This principle emphasizes
designing interfaces and content that are perceivable, operable, and understandable for everyone.

6. Simplicity and Clarity: Strive for simplicity in design and clarity in communication. Avoid unnecessary complexity and ensure that users
can easily understand how to interact with your product.

7. Feedback and Communication: Provide timely and informative feedback to users about their actions and the system's status. Effective
communication helps users feel in control and informed throughout their interactions.

8. Flexibility and Customization: Allow users to customize aspects of the interface to suit their preferences and needs. Flexibility
empowers users to tailor their experience, making it more personal and adaptable.

9. User Feedback Integration: Actively gather and integrate user feedback into the design process. This ensures that design decisions are
grounded in real user experiences and preferences.

10. User Testing: Conduct usability testing and research with real users to validate assumptions, identify pain points, and uncover
usability issues. User testing helps refine the design to align with actual user behaviour and expectations.

These principles guide designers in creating products and experiences that are not only functional but also meaningful, enjoyable, and
accessible to a diverse user base. By adhering to UCD principles, designers can craft solutions that genuinely resonate with and cater to
the needs of their target audience.

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6. PRODUCT DESIGN FRAMEWORKS AND USER
EXPERIENCE
6.2 PROTOTYPING AND WIREFRAMING

Prototyping is the process of creating a preliminary version of a product to test


and validate design ideas before investing in full-scale development. Prototypes
are typically low-fidelity representations of the final product, focusing on core
features and interactions. They can take various forms, including paper sketches,
interactive digital mockups, or even physical models. Prototyping allows designers
to gather feedback from users, stakeholders, or team members and make
informed decisions about the product's direction. It helps identify usability issues,
refine design concepts, and reduce the risk of costly errors in the later stages of
development.
Wireframing, on the other hand, is a specific type of prototype that focuses on the
structural layout and visual hierarchy of a user interface (UI). Wireframes are
typically static, simplified representations of a screen or page, devoid of detailed
graphics and aesthetics. They serve to outline the placement of elements like
buttons, menus, and content without delving into color schemes, images, or fonts.
Wireframes are valuable for planning and communicating the basic structure of a
user interface, allowing designers to iterate quickly on layout and content
organization before moving on to higher-fidelity design and development stages.
In summary, prototyping involves creating simplified versions of a product to test functionality and gather feedback, while wireframing is a
subset of prototyping focused specifically on the structural layout and organization of a user interface. Both practices are essential tools in
the design process for refining ideas, enhancing user experiences, and minimizing design risks.

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6. PRODUCT DESIGN FRAMEWORKS AND USER
EXPERIENCE
6.3 UNIT TESTING

Usability testing is a crucial method in user-centered design, involving the evaluation of a product's usability by real users to identify issues and
gather feedback. It typically follows these steps:

1. Planning: Define clear objectives for the test, such as what aspects of the product you want to evaluate. Create realistic tasks that users will
perform and recruit a diverse group of participants who represent your target audience.

2. Preparation: Set up the testing environment, including any necessary equipment and software. Develop a test script or scenario that guides
users through the tasks they will complete during the test.

3. Conducting the Test: One or more facilitators observe the participants as they interact with the product. Participants are encouraged to think
aloud, expressing their thoughts and feelings as they use the product. Facilitators may ask follow-up questions to clarify actions or gather deeper
insights.

4. Recording Data: Collect both quantitative data (e.g., success rates, completion times) and qualitative data (e.g., comments, observations)
during the testing session. Video and audio recordings can capture the user's actions and feedback for later analysis.

5. Analysis: Review and analyze the collected data to identify usability issues, pain points, and areas of improvement. Common issues
include confusing navigation, unclear labels, or features that are difficult to use.

6. Iterative Design: Use the insights gained from usability testing to make design improvements. Prioritize changes based on severity and
impact on the user experience.

7. Repeat: Depending on the complexity of the product and the extent of changes made, it's often beneficial to conduct multiple rounds of
usability testing to ensure that the design improvements are effective.
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7. PROD U CT D E V E LOP M E NT AND
E NGINE E RING
7.1 AGILE AND SCRUM METHODOLOGIES
Agile methodologies are a set of guidelines and techniques for software development and project management that put an emphasis on
adaptability, teamwork, and client satisfaction. By placing a strong emphasis on incremental and iterative development, close customer
collaboration, and the capacity to adapt to change, agile methodologies seek to address the problems with conventional, rigid project
management systems.

Key principles and concepts of Agile methodologies include:


Customer-Centric: Agile prioritizes delivering value to the customer and involves them throughout the development process to gather
feedback and adapt to changing requirements.
Iterative and Incremental: Agile projects are divided into small, manageable increments or iterations. Each iteration results in a
potentially shippable product increment, allowing for continuous improvement.
Flexibility: Agile teams are adaptive and responsive to change. They embrace changes in requirements, technology, and priorities
throughout the project.
Collaborative Teams: Cross-functional teams work closely together, promoting communication and collaboration among team members,
including developers, testers, designers, and stakeholders.
Continuous Delivery: Agile teams aim to deliver working software frequently, often in short timeframes, enabling stakeholders to see
progress and provide feedback regularly.
Feedback and Inspection: Regular feedback loops, such as daily stand-up meetings and sprint reviews, help identify issues early and
facilitate continuous improvement.

In summary, Agile is a mindset, while Scrum is a specific framework that follows Agile principles. Many organizations adopt Scrum as a way to
implement Agile practices in a structured manner. The choice between Agile and Scrum depends on the organization's needs, project
requirements, and team dynamics.

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7. PROD U CT D E V E LOP M E NT AND
E NGINE E RING
Agile Principles:
Customer satisfaction through early and continuous delivery of valuable software.
Welcome changing requirements, even late in development, to harness customer feedback.
Deliver working software frequently, with shorter timescales.
Foster collaboration between business stakeholders and development teams
Build projects around motivated individuals, giving them trust and support.
Prefer face-to-face communication as it is the most effective method.
Measure progress primarily by delivering working software.
Maintain a sustainable pace of work to ensure team longevity.
Pay continuous attention to technical excellence and good design.
Value simplicity in both the product and the development process.
Encourage self-organizing teams to make decisions.
Reflect regularly and adapt to improve the team's effectiveness.

Common Agile methodologies and frameworks :


Scrum: Scrum is one of the most widely adopted Agile frameworks. It emphasizes short development cycles called sprints, with daily
stand-up meetings and defined roles (Scrum Master, Product Owner, Development Team).
Kanban: Kanban is a visual management method that focuses on visualizing the workflow and optimizing the flow of work items. It doesn't
prescribe specific roles or timeboxed iterations.
Extreme Programming (XP): XP is an Agile methodology that places a strong emphasis on engineering practices like continuous
integration, test-driven development (TDD), and pair programming.
Lean Agile: Lean principles are integrated with Agile to reduce waste and optimize value delivery. SAF (Scaled Agile Framework) is an
example of a Lean-Agile framework for scaling Agile practices to larger organizations.

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7. PROD U CT D E V E LOP M E NT AND
E NGINE E RING
Agile techniques are used in a variety of industries where adaptability and customer focus are crucial. They are not just used in software
development. The requirements and limitations of a project or organization must be taken into consideration while choosing an Agile
framework or approach. Agile provides a framework for adapting to change and delivering value efficiently.

Scrum Methodology:

Scrum is an Agile framework for managing and organizing work, primarily used in software development but also applied to various other
fields. It has specific terminology and related terms that are important to understand when working with Scrum. Here are some key Scrum-
related terms:
Scrum Team: A cross-functional group of individuals responsible for delivering
the product. It typically includes developers, a Scrum Master, and a Product
Owner.
Product Owner: The person responsible for defining and prioritizing the product
backlog, representing the customer, and ensuring that the team delivers value.
Scrum Master: A servant-leader who coaches the team on Scrum principles and
helps them remove obstacles to progress.
Product Backlog: A prioritized list of features, user stories, or work items that
represent the product's requirements. It's dynamic and can change over time.
Sprint: A time-boxed period (typically 2-4 weeks) during which a Scrum Team
works to deliver a potentially shippable product increment.
Sprint Planning: A meeting at the beginning of each sprint where the team selects
work from the product backlog and creates a sprint backlog.

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7. PROD U CT D E V E LOP M E NT AND
E NGINE E RING
Sprint Backlog: A list of tasks and user stories selected from the product backlog for implementation during the current sprint.
Daily Stand-up (Daily Scrum): A brief daily meeting where the team members share progress, discuss obstacles, and plan the day's work.
Sprint Review: A meeting held at the end of a sprint to demonstrate the completed work to stakeholders and obtain feedback.
Sprint Retrospective: A meeting held at the end of a sprint where the team reflects on their processes and identifies improvements.
User Story: A simple and concise description of a feature from an end-user perspective, often written in the format: "As a [user type], I
want [an action] so that [benefit/value]."

7.2 CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION

Agile's concept of cross-functional cooperation describes the


process of putting together varied teams with the breadth of
complementary skills and knowledge needed to execute a project
or product. Teams from different functional areas work closely
together throughout the project, breaking down barriers and
encouraging shared ownership of objectives. By reducing handoffs,
accelerating decision-making, and improving flexibility to changing
needs, this collaborative method eventually promotes more
effective and customer-focused development that adheres to the
Agile principles.

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7. PROD U CT D E V E LOP M E NT AND
E NGINE E RING
7.3 DEVELOPMENT LIFECYCLE

A development lifecycle, often known as the software development lifecycle (SDLC), is an


organized framework that describes the steps and procedures involved in producing software
or a product. The essential stages of a typical software development lifecycle are listed
below, each of which is briefly described:

Planning: Establish a development roadmap by defining the project's objectives, needs,


and scope.
Analysis: Compile and record specific user and system requirements that make clear what
the program is intended to achieve.
Design: Outline the software's functioning and create architectural and detailed designs
for it.
Implementation (Coding): Create the actual source code in accordance with the design
requirements.
Testing: Conduct thorough testing to identify and fix bugs and ensure the software meets
requirements and quality standards.
Deployment: Release the software to production or end-users, making it available for use.
Maintenance: Provide ongoing support, updates, and improvements to address issues and
changes over time.

These phases collectively guide the software development process, ensuring a systematic
and organized approach to creating and maintaining software systems.

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8. PR OD U CT LAU NC H
8.1 GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGIES

A Go-to-Market (GTM) strategy is a thorough plan that describes how a business will launch a new good or service and meet its sales and
marketing objectives. It includes different decisions and factors that influence how a product is introduced to the market and then
successfully penetrated. The following are the main elements and things to think about when developing a go-to-market plan for a new
product:

Market Analysis: Understand your target audience and competition.


Product Positioning: Define how your product solves customer problems uniquely.
Pricing Strategy: Set pricing that reflects value and meets business goals.
Distribution Channels: Determine how your product reaches customers.
Sales and Marketing Plan: Outline promotional and sales activities.
Sales Enablement: Equip the sales team with necessary resources.
Launch Plan: Plan the timing and execution of the product launch.
Customer Support: Ensure post-launch customer service and support.
Metrics and KPIs: Define success measurements.
Budget and Resources: Allocate resources effectively.
Risk Assessment: Identify and mitigate potential challenges.
Feedback Loop: Continuously gather and act on feedback.
Competitive Analysis: Monitor and respond to competitors' moves.

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8. PR OD U CT LAU NC H
8.2 PRODUCT MARKETING AND COMMUNICATION
A successful product launch and continued product promotion depend on effective product marketing and communication. Here is a quick
synopsis of each:
Product Marketing:
Product marketing is a strategic task that aims to introduce a product to the market, identify its target market, and guarantee the success of
the product over the course of its lifespan.

Key Responsibilities:
Market Analysis: Understand consumer demands, preferences, and market trends by
doing a market analysis.
Product Positioning: Describe how the product competes in the market and satisfies
client demands.
Pricing Plan: Choose a pricing plan for the product to increase sales.
Go-to-market Strategy: Develop a strategy for introducing and promoting the product.
Sale Enablement: Giving the sales staff the information and resources, they need to
successfully market the product is known as sales enablement.
Competitive Analysis: Keep an eye on rivals' moves and take action.
Communication in Product Launch: Communication during a product launch involves
creating and delivering messages to your target audience to create awareness,
generate interest, and drive action (e.g., purchasing the product).

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8. PR OD U CT LAU NC H
Key Elements:
Messaging: Craft clear and compelling messages that highlight the product's value and benefits.
Channels: Determine the most effective communication channels (e.g., social media, email, press releases) to reach your audience.
Content Creation: Develop various content types (e.g., blog posts, videos, infographics) to convey your messages.
Timing: Plan communication activities in coordination with the product launch timeline.
Audience Segmentation: Tailor messages to specific audience segments for maximum relevance.
Feedback Loop: Gather and analyze feedback from customers and stakeholders to refine your communication strategy.

During a new launch, effective product marketing and communication are essential for raising awareness, generating interest, and boosting
sales. They make sure that potential buyers are aware of the benefits of the product and how it may meet their demands, which will
eventually result in a successful market launch.

8.3 LAUNCH PLANNING AND EXECUTION


A product launch strategy's preparation and execution phases are crucial. They entail painstakingly organizing and then completing the tasks
required to properly launch a new product onto the market. Here is a description of each:

Launch Planning:
Launch planning is the process of developing a comprehensive roadmap that specifies the steps, deadlines, and resources needed to carry out a
successful product launch.

Key Elements:
Specifying Goals: Clearly state your objectives for the product introduction, such as sales targets, market share ambitions, and brand recognition
objectives

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8. PR OD U CT LAU NC H
Target Market: In order to properly customize your messaging and strategies, identify and segment your target demographic.
Timeline: Establish a schedule for pre-launch, launch day, and follow-up activities to make that all tasks are completed on time.
Budget Allocation: Determine the necessary financial resources for various marketing, sales, and operational initiatives.
Cross-functional Collaboration: In order to achieve alignment, involve teams from marketing, sales, product development, and customer
support.
Risk assessment: Identify probable difficulties or obstacles and create backup measures.
Messaging & Content: Planning your main themes and content for usage across many marketing platforms is essential.

Launching a project:
Launch execution is the stage in which you put your thoroughly thought-out launch strategy into action, making your product accessible to
clients and successfully advertising it.
Primary Activities:
Products are accessible: Make sure the product is prepared for usage or purchase, including any required software or inventories.
Marketing Campaigns: Execute marketing initiatives across a range of media, such as Internet, print, social media, and email.
Sales Activation: Provide the tools, training, and resources required for the sales staff to interact with potential clients.
Customer Support: Establish teams and procedures to deal with consumer questions, comments, and support requests.
Monitoring and analytics: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) as the launch progresses and make any necessary real-time
modifications.
Feedback Collection: To pinpoint areas that need improvement, collect input from stakeholders, sales teams, and consumers.
Post-launch Marketing: Implement post-launch marketing strategies to maintain momentum and boost ongoing sales.
A successful product launch depends on careful preparation and execution of the launch. Having a well-executed strategy increases the
probability that your launch goals will be met by maximizing the product's exposure, creating enthusiasm, and positioning it advantageously
in the market.

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9 . PR OD U CT M E TR IC S AND ANA L YTI C S
Product Metrics and Analytics involve the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data
related to a product's performance, user behavior, and overall success.

Product metrics are quantifiable measures used to track various aspects of a product's
performance and user engagement. These metrics can be categorized into different
areas, including:

1.User Engagement Metrics: Measure user interaction with the product, such as active
users, session duration, or click-through rates.
2.Conversion Metrics: Evaluate how well the product converts users to perform desired
actions, like sign-ups, purchases, or downloads.
3.Retention Metrics: Assess user loyalty and the rate at which users continue to use the
product over time, typically measured through retention rates or churn rates.
4.Monetization Metrics: Focus on revenue generation, including metrics like average
revenue per user (ARPU) or customer lifetime value (CLV).
5.Performance Metrics: Monitor the technical performance of the product, such as page
load times, error rates, or uptime.
6.User Feedback Metrics: Consider qualitative data from user surveys, reviews, and
support interactions to understand user sentiment and gather feedback.
Analytics:
Product analytics involves the use of tools and techniques to collect, process, and analyze data related to these metrics. Common analytics
tools include Google Analytics, Mixpanel, and Amplitude, which provide insights into user behavior and trends.

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9 . PR OD U CT M E TR IC S AND ANA L YTI C S
Visualization:
To make sense of the data, product teams often use data
visualization techniques to create charts, graphs, and dashboards
that display key metrics and trends in a visually accessible format.

Insights and Decision-Making:


The primary goal of product metrics and analytics is to gain
actionable insights. These insights inform decision-making, helping
product managers and designers make informed choices about
feature prioritization, improvements, and overall product strategy.

Iterative Improvement:
By regularly monitoring and analyzing product metrics, teams can
identify areas that need improvement and iterate on the product to
enhance user experience, drive growth, and achieve business goals.

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9 . PR OD U CT M E TR IC S AND ANA L YTI C S
9.1 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIS)
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in product management are crucial metrics that help product managers and teams measure the
success and impact of their products. These KPIs provide valuable insights into how a product is performing, how users are engaging with
it, and how well it aligns with business goals. Here are some essential KPIs in product management:

1. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): This metric calculates the cost of acquiring a new customer. It helps determine the efficiency of
marketing and sales efforts in bringing in new users.
2. Customer Lifetime Value (CLV or LTV): CLV estimates the total revenue a business can expect from a customer throughout their entire
relationship with the company. It's a key indicator of long-term profitability.
3. Churn Rate: Churn rate measures the percentage of customers who stop using a product during a specific period. Reducing churn is
essential for maintaining a healthy customer base.
4.Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR): MRR represents the predictable and recurring revenue generated from subscription-based
products. It's a vital metric for SaaS and subscription businesses.
5. Net Promoter Score (NPS): NPS measures customer satisfaction and loyalty by asking users how likely they are to recommend the
product to others. It's an indicator of brand advocacy.
6. Customer Satisfaction (CSAT): CSAT measures user satisfaction through surveys or feedback forms. It provides insights into how
happy users are with the product.
7. Active Users and Monthly Active Users (MAU): These metrics track the number of users who engage with the product regularly. They
help assess user engagement and product stickiness.
8. Conversion Rate: Conversion rate measures the percentage of users who complete a specific action, such as signing up, making a
purchase, or upgrading to a premium plan.

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9 . PR OD U CT M E TR IC S AND ANA L YTI C S
9. Retention Rate: Retention rate measures how well a product retains its users over time. It's
typically calculated on a monthly or annual basis.
10. Feature Adoption Rate: This metric assesses the usage and adoption of specific product
features, helping prioritize feature development and improvements.
11. User Engagement Metrics: These include metrics like average session duration, bounce
rate, and the number of pages or screens visited per session, which indicate how actively
users are interacting with the product.
12. Error Rates and Bug Reports: Monitoring error rates and tracking bug reports helps ensure
a high-quality user experience by identifying and addressing technical issues promptly.
13. Customer Support Metrics: Metrics like response time, resolution time, and customer
satisfaction with support interactions provide insights into the quality of customer support.
14. Market Share: For products in competitive markets, understanding market share and
tracking changes over time can be critical for assessing competitiveness.
15. Customer Feedback and Feature Requests: While not a traditional metric, feedback and
feature requests from users provide qualitative insights that can shape product development.

The specific KPIs a product manager focuses on can vary depending on the product, industry, and business goals. Effective product management
involves selecting and tracking the KPIs that are most relevant to the product's success and adjusting strategies based on the insights gained from
these metrics.

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9 . PR OD U CT M E TR IC S AND ANA L YTI C S
9.2 TRACKING AND ANALYZING USER DATA

Tracking and analyzing user data is an indispensable aspect of product management and development. It empowers teams to make informed
decisions, refine product strategies, and enhance the user experience. By collecting data on user behavior, engagement, and feedback, product
managers can identify trends, pain points, and areas for improvement. This insight-driven approach enables iterative development, allowing
teams to prioritize features, optimize user interfaces, and align the product more closely with user needs and business objectives. Ultimately,
robust user data tracking and analysis foster a user-centric culture, leading to products that are not only functional but also resonate with and
delight their target audience.
a. User Research: Utilize user data to conduct effective user research. Analyze user behavior, preferences, and pain points to inform product
decisions.
b. User Persona Development: Create detailed user personas based on data analysis. Understand the demographics, behaviors, and needs of
your target audience to guide product development.
c. Feature Prioritization: Analyze user feedback and usage patterns to prioritize features. Focus on the functionalities that provide the most
value to users and align with business goals.
d. User Journey Mapping: Track user interactions across the entire user journey. Identify key touchpoints, pain points, and areas for
improvement to enhance the overall user experience.
e. A/B Testing: Implement A/B testing to compare different versions of a product or feature. Analyze user engagement and satisfaction to
determine the most effective design or functionality.
f. Iterative Development: Adopt an iterative development approach based on user feedback and data analysis. Regularly release updates, and
continuously refine the product based on user insights.
g. Performance Monitoring: Track product performance metrics, such as load times, error rates, and user satisfaction. Use this data to identify
and address issues promptly.
h. Conversion Optimization: Analyze user data to optimize conversion funnels. Understand where users drop off in the conversion process and
make improvements to increase conversion rates.

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9 . PR OD U CT M E TR IC S AND ANA L YTI C S
9.3 ITERATIVE IMPROVEMENT

Iterative improvement post-tracking and analyzing user data is a fundamental practice in


product management. Once user data has been collected and analyzed, the insights gained
drive the iterative improvement process. Here's a brief overview:

1. Identify Areas for Improvement: Based on the data analysis, product managers and teams
can pinpoint specific areas of the product that require attention. These might include
usability issues, low user engagement with certain features, or opportunities for innovation.
2. Prioritize Changes: Not all identified issues or opportunities are equally critical.
Prioritization is key. Product managers must weigh factors like user impact, business value,
and development resources to determine which changes to tackle first.
3. Define Objectives: Clear objectives for each improvement should be established. These
objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) to
provide a clear roadmap for success.
4. Implement Changes: The development team takes action to implement the proposed
improvements. This might involve designing new features, optimizing existing ones, or fixing
usability issues.

5. Testing: Before releasing changes to all users, it's essential to conduct testing, such as A/B testing or beta testing, to ensure that the
improvements achieve the desired outcomes and don't introduce new problems.
6. Release and Monitor: Once the changes are deployed, monitoring and tracking continue. Product managers observe how the changes
impact user behavior and key metrics. This real-world feedback is essential for validation.

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9 . PR OD U CT M E TR IC S AND ANA L YTI C S
7. Iterate Again: The iterative cycle continues as new data is collected and analyzed. If the changes achieve the desired results, further refinement
and expansion may be considered. If not, adjustments are made based on the insights.
8. Communication: Throughout this process, clear and transparent communication with stakeholders, including users, is crucial. Users should be
informed about improvements and changes, and their feedback should be actively sought and considered.
9. Documentation: Documenting the entire process, including the rationale behind each change and its impact, is vital for maintaining a record of
product decisions and for informing future iterations.
By continuously iterating based on user data and feedback, product teams can create products that evolve to meet user needs effectively and
stay competitive in the market. This iterative approach ensures that the product remains user-centric and aligned with changing user
expectations and business objectives.

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10. PROD U CT LI F E C YC LE M ANAG E M E NT
Product lifecycle management (PLM) is a comprehensive approach to
managing the entire lifecycle of a product, from its initial conception to its
eventual retirement. It encompasses a range of activities, including ideation,
design, engineering, manufacturing, service, and retirement. PLM software
helps businesses to streamline and automate these processes, improving
efficiency and reducing costs. By providing a single source of truth for all
product information, PLM also helps to improve collaboration and decision-
making across the organization. As a result, PLM can help businesses to bring
new products to market faster, improve product quality, and reduce costs. It
can also help businesses to increase revenue by enabling them to develop new
products and services, expand into new markets, and improve customer
satisfaction.
It's important to note that not all products follow this
linear progression, and some may experience
variations in the duration and intensity of each stage.
Additionally, companies can implement strategies to
extend the life cycle of a product, such as product
diversification, international expansion, or rebranding.
It's important to note that not all products follow this
linear progression, and some may experience
variations in the duration and intensity of each stage.

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10. PROD U CT LI F E C YC LE M ANAG E M E NT

10.1 MANAGING PRODUCT PHASES


Managing product phases is a strategic approach to managing the entire lifecycle of a product, from its initial concept and design through
production, distribution, and ultimately its retirement from the market. Understanding and effectively managing the different phases of a
product's lifecycle—Introduction, Growth, Maturity, and Decline—is crucial for businesses aiming to maximize profitability, sustain
innovation, and maintain competitive advantage. In this casebook, we will explore each of these phases in depth, highlighting their key
characteristics and discussing strategies for managing products within each phase.

Introduction Phase
The Introduction phase marks the initial launch of a product into the market. During this stage, businesses invest heavily in research and
development, marketing, and distribution to create awareness and generate interest among consumers. Key characteristics of this phase
include:
a. Low Sales: Sales are typically low as consumers are not yet familiar with the product, and distribution networks are still being
established.
b. High Costs: Costs are high due to research and development expenses, marketing campaigns, and the need to build manufacturing
capabilities.
c. Rapid Evolution: The product may undergo frequent changes and updates as the company gathers feedback from early adopters and
fine-tunes its features.
Strategies for managing products in the Introduction phase:
i. Focus on Marketing: Invest in effective marketing and advertising campaigns to create awareness and generate interest.
ii. Build Distribution Channels: Establish distribution networks to make the product readily available to consumers.
iii. Gather Feedback: Continuously collect feedback from early customers to refine the product and address any issues.

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10. PROD U CT LI F E C YC LE M ANAG E M E NT
Growth Phase
The Growth phase is characterized by a rapid increase in sales and market penetration. As more consumers adopt the product, revenue and
profits begin to climb. Key characteristics of this phase include:
a. Increasing Sales: Sales grow exponentially as the product gains traction in the market.
b. Competition Emerges: As the product becomes more successful, competitors may enter the market, intensifying competition.
c. Profitability Improves: As sales volumes increase and production processes become more efficient, profitability improves.

Strategies for managing products in the Growth phase:

i. Expand Market Presence: Enter new geographic markets or target new customer segments to fuel continued growth.
ii. Enhance Product Features: Innovate and add new features or versions to maintain a competitive edge.
iii. Manage Supply Chain: Optimize the supply chain to meet increasing demand efficiently.

Maturity Phase
The Maturity phase is marked by a slowdown in the growth rate. The market becomes saturated, and competition stabilizes. Key
characteristics of this phase include:
a. Slower Growth: Sales growth decelerates as the market approaches saturation.
b. Market Saturation: Most potential customers have adopted the product, leaving limited room for expansion.
c. Price Competition: Price competition intensifies as companies vie for market share.

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10. PROD U CT LI F E C YC LE M ANAG E M E NT
Strategies for managing products in the Maturity phase:
i. Cost Reduction: Focus on cost reduction strategies to maintain profitability.
ii. Diversification: Explore new product variations or target new customer segments to extend the product's lifecycle.
iii. Marketing Differentiation: Emphasize product differentiation and customer loyalty to combat price competition.

Decline Phase
The Decline phase signifies the end of a product's lifecycle. Sales decline, and businesses must decide whether to discontinue the product
or revitalize it. Key characteristics of this phase include:
a. Declining Sales: Sales continue to decrease as consumers shift to newer alternatives or technologies.
b. Cost Challenges: Maintaining profitability becomes increasingly challenging as sales decline.
c. Strategic Decisions: Companies must decide whether to discontinue the product, harvest remaining value, or attempt to revitalize it.

Strategies for managing products in the Decline phase:


i. Harvesting: If the product still generates some revenue, minimize costs and extract maximum value before discontinuation.
ii. Product Revitalization: Explore options such as product updates, rebranding, or new marketing strategies to extend the product's life.
iii. Exit Strategy: Develop a clear exit strategy, including discontinuation plans and communication to customers.

Product Lifecycle Management is an essential framework for businesses seeking to optimize their product offerings throughout their
lifecycle. By understanding and effectively managing the Introduction, Growth, Maturity, and Decline phases, companies can maximize
profitability, sustain innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in today's dynamic business environment. Adapting strategies to each
phase ensures that products are not only launched successfully but also evolve, adapt, and ultimately exit the market gracefully when their
time has come.

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10. PROD U CT LI F E C YC LE M ANAG E M E NT
10.2 SUNSETTING PRODUCTS
Sunsetting a product is the process of intentionally phasing out or terminating a specific product or version of a product. This is typically
done for one of several reasons, such as:
The product is no longer profitable.
The product is no longer meeting the needs of customers.
The product is no longer technologically viable.
The company is shifting its focus to other products or services.

Sunsetting a product can be a complex and challenging process, but it is important to do it in a way that minimizes disruption to customers
and the business. Here are some key steps involved in sunsetting a product:
1. Make the decision. This should be done carefully and strategically, taking into account all of the relevant factors.
2. Communicate the decision to stakeholders. This includes customers, employees, partners, and other stakeholders who may be affected
by the sunsetting of the product.
3. Develop a sunsetting plan. This should outline the timeline and steps involved in phasing out the product, including how to support
customers during the transition.
4. Execute the sunsetting plan. This may involve winding down development and support, migrating customers to other products or
services, and decommissioning infrastructure.
5. Monitor the results and make adjustments as needed. It is important to monitor the impact of the sunsetting process and make
adjustments as needed to ensure that it is going smoothly and that customers are being supported.

Sunsetting a product is a difficult decision, but it is sometimes necessary to ensure the long-term health of the business. By following the
steps above, companies can sunset products in a way that minimizes disruption to customers and the business.

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11. P ROD U CT S H OWDOWN
11.1 NETFLIX
Netflix is an American entertainment company that specializes in streaming media. It is the world's leading
streaming service, with over 238 million subscribers in over 190 countries. Netflix offers a wide variety of
content, including TV shows, movies, documentaries, and anime. It also offers content in over 62 languages.

In 2022-23, Netflix's revenue was 30.9 billion. The company's content library includes original programming,
licensed content, and acquired content. Netflix is a major player in the entertainment industry. It has disrupted
the traditional TV industry and is now the go-to streaming service for millions of people around the world.

REVENUE MODEL
Here is a breakdown of Netflix's revenue streams in 2022:
Subscription fees: $31.6 billion (98%)
Licensing: $0.3 billion (1%)
Advertising: $0.2 billion (1%)
As you can see, subscription fees are the overwhelming driver of Netflix's
revenue. This is because Netflix has a very large and loyal subscriber base.
As of Q1 2023, Netflix had 221.6 million subscribers worldwide.

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NE TFLIX
SUCCESS METRICS

Financial metrics
Revenue: This is the amount of money that Netflix generates from its subscribers and from licensing its
content to other companies.
Profit: This is the amount of money that Netflix has left over after it has paid all of its expenses.
Subscriber growth: This is the number of new subscribers that Netflix adds each quarter.
Average revenue per user (ARPU): This is the amount of money that Netflix generates from each
subscriber each month.

Engagement metrics
Hours watched: This is the total number of hours that Netflix subscribers watch content each quarter.
Completion rate: This is the percentage of content that subscribers finish watching.
Engagement rate: This is the percentage of subscribers who watch any content on Netflix each month.
Churn rate: This is the percentage of subscribers who cancel their subscriptions each month.

Operational metrics
Content library: This is the size and quality of Netflix's library of movies, TV shows, and documentaries.
Content acquisition costs: This is the amount of money that Netflix spends on licensing content and
producing original programming.
Technology platform: This is the reliability and scalability of Netflix's technology platform.
Customer satisfaction: This is the level of satisfaction that Netflix subscribers have with the service.

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NE TFLIX
PAIN POINTS
Finding new content to watch: Netflix has a massive library of content, but it can be difficult to find new shows and movies to watch.
The search function is not always helpful, and the recommendations are not always accurate.
The cost of subscription: Netflix is a relatively expensive streaming service, and some users may find the cost to be prohibitive.
The lack of offline viewing: Netflix does not allow users to download content for offline viewing. This can be a problem for users who
travel or who have limited internet access.
The lack of social features: Netflix does not have any social features, such as the ability to share watchlists or ratings with friends. This
can be a problem for users who want to discuss shows and movies with others.
Customer service: Netflix's customer service is not always responsive or helpful. This can be a problem for users who have problems
with their subscription or who have questions about the service.

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NE TFLIX
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS

Competitors Strengths Weaknesses

Large library of content, original programming, strong High subscription price, lack of offline viewing, limited
Netflix
brand recognition social features

Amazon Prime Large library of content, original programming, Content can be inconsistent, user interface can be
Video included with Amazon Prime subscription confusing

Live TV option, large library of content, original


Hulu Commercials, user interface can be confusing
programming

Large library of content, original programming, family-


Disney+ Lack of live TV option, content can be inconsistent
friendly content

Large library of content, original programming, DC


HBO Max High subscription price, content can be inconsistent
Comics content

Apple TV+ Original programming, strong brand recognition Small library of content, lack of live TV option

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SPOTIFY
11.2 SPOTIFY
Spotify is a Swedish audio streaming and media services provider founded on 23 April 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. It is one of
the largest music streaming service providers, with over 551 million monthly active users, including 220 million paying subscribers, as of
June 2023. Spotify is available in over 180 countries.

In 2022-23, Spotify's revenue was $29.3 billion. The


company's content library includes music, podcasts,
and videos. Spotify's music library includes over 82
million songs. Spotify offers music in over 74 languages.
Spotify also offers a variety of features that are tailored
to specific countries and regions. For example, Spotify in
India offers a personalized playlist called "Made for
India" that features songs from Indian artists.

REVENUE MODEL
Spotify works on freemium model
Subscriptions: Spotify offers three subscription plans: Individual, Duo, and
Family. The Individual plan is the cheapest, but it only allows one user to listen to
music at a time. The Duo plan allows two users to listen to music at a time, and the
Family plan allows up to six users to listen to music at a time.
Advertising: Spotify also generates revenue from advertising. Spotify offers a free
ad-supported tier that allows users to listen to music with ads. Spotify also offers
a premium tier that does not have ads.

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SPOTIFY
SUCCESS METRICS
Number of monthly active users (MAUs): Spotify's MAU is the number of users who have listened to
music on the platform in the past month. This is a key metric for Spotify, as it shows how many people
are using the service.
Number of paying subscribers: Spotify's number of paying subscribers is the number of users who have
paid for a subscription to the service. This is another key metric for Spotify, as it shows how much
revenue the company is generating.
Average revenue per user (ARPU): Spotify's ARPU is the average amount of money that each user pays
for the service. This metric shows how much money Spotify is making from each user.
Hours streamed: Spotify's hours streamed is the total number of hours that users have listened to music
on the platform. This metric shows how much music is being listened to on Spotify.
Revenue growth: Spotify's revenue growth is the percentage increase in the company's revenue from
one year to the next. This metric shows how quickly Spotify is growing its business.

PAIN POINTS
High subscription prices: Spotify's subscription prices are higher than some of its competitors. The
Individual plan is priced at \$9.99 per month, which is more expensive than the Individual plans of Apple
Music and Amazon Music.
Lack of offline listening: Spotify's free plan does not allow users to download music for offline listening.
This can be a pain point for users who want to listen to music without an internet connection.
Content availability: Spotify does not have the same content availability as some of its competitors. For
example, Spotify does not have the rights to stream music from Taylor Swift's catalog in some countries.
This can be a pain point for users who want to listen to specific artists or songs.

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SPOTIFY
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS

Competitors Strengths Weaknesses

Large user base, personalized recommendations, Limited content selection in some regions, lack of
Spotify
affordable subscription prices social features

YouTube Music Large music library, integration with YouTube Cluttered user interface, lack of social features

Large user base, affordable subscription prices, Limited content selection, lack of personalization
Amazon Music
integration with Amazon Echo devices features

Large user base, strong brand recognition, exclusive


Apple Music High subscription prices, limited social features
content

Wide variety of regional content, affordable


Wynk Music Lack of personalization features, poor user interface
subscription prices

Wide variety of regional content, personalized Lack of integration with other devices, poor
Gaana
recommendations, free ad-supported plan customer service

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INSHORTS
11.3 INSHOT

Inshorts is a news and content aggregation platform that provides users with short, 60-word summaries of
the latest news and stories. The company was founded in 2013 by Azhar Iqubal and Ankit Gupta, and it is
headquartered in Gurgaon, India. Inshorts is available in 15 languages and has over 100 million users
worldwide. The company generates revenue from advertising, sponsored content, and content licensing.
Inshorts' services also include:
Personalized recommendations: Inshorts uses machine learning to recommend stories to users based on
their interests.
Audio stories: Inshorts offers a selection of audio stories that users can listen to.

SUCCESS METRICS
Number of active users: This metric measures the number of users who have used the Inshorts app in a given period of time. It is a good
indicator of the app's reach and popularity.
Time spent on the app: This metric measures the amount of time that users spend on the Inshorts app in a given period of time. It is a
good indicator of user engagement and satisfaction.
Number of stories read: This metric measures the number of stories that are read by users in a given period of time. It is a good indicator
of the app's engagement and usefulness.
Number of shares: This metric measures the number of times that stories are shared by users on social media. It is a good indicator of
the app's reach and influence.
Number of impressions: This metric measures the number of times that stories are seen by users. It is a good indicator of the app's
reach and visibility.
Conversion rate: This metric measures the percentage of users who take a desired action, such as clicking on a link or making a purchase,
after seeing an ad. It is a good indicator of the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

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INSHORTS
PAIN POINTS
Limited content: Inshorts only provides short summaries of news stories. This can be limiting for users who want to read more in-
depth articles.
Repetitive content: Inshorts' algorithm often recommends the same stories to users. This can be frustrating for users who are looking
for new content.
Lack of personalization: Inshorts' recommendations are not always personalized to each user's interests. This can lead to users seeing
stories that they are not interested in.
Ad-heavy: Inshorts is ad-supported, which can be annoying for users.
Cluttered interface: Inshorts' interface can be cluttered and difficult to navigate.
Lack of user engagement: Some users have found that Inshorts is not very engaging. This can be due to the short summaries of news
stories, the lack of personalization, or the cluttered interface.

RECOMMENDATION
Expand its content offerings: The company can expand its content offerings to include more in-depth articles, videos, and podcasts.
This would make the app more appealing to a wider range of users.
Add more features: Inshorts can add more features to the app, such as the ability to save stories for offline reading or to share stories
with others. This would make the app more useful and engaging for users.
Focus on local language support: Inshorts can focus on local language support in order to reach a wider audience in India. The
company can translate its content into different Indian languages and provide support for local payment methods.
Partner with major publishers: Inshorts can partner with major publishers to get access to exclusive content. This would make the app
more appealing to users who are looking for high-quality news content.
Invest in marketing and promotion: Inshorts can invest in marketing and promotion to reach a wider audience. The company can run
advertising campaigns, sponsor events, and partner with influencers.

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 68


INSHORTS
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS

Number of Market Founded


Company Strengths Weaknesses
active users share year

Popular with users of all ages, Strong


Limited content, Repetitive content,
Inshorts 100 million 30% 2013 brand recognition, Wide range of
Lack of personalization
features

Wide range of content, Local language Cluttered interface, Lack of features,


Dailyhunt 350 million 45% 2007
support, Strong focus on India Ad-heavy

Personalized recommendations, AI- Newer platform, Lack of brand


NewsDog 100 million 15% 2015
powered content, Focus on short videos recognition

High-quality content, In-depth analysis, Limited reach, Not as popular as other


Scroll 50 million 10% 2015
Focus on long-form articles platforms

Global reach, Strong brand recognition, Not as popular in India as other


Upday 50 million 10% 2015
Partnerships with major publishers platforms, Lack of features

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 69


ZOMATO
11.4 ZOMATO
Zomato is a restaurant aggregator and food delivery company that is headquartered in India. It
was founded in 2008 by Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah. Zomato provides information,
menus, and user-reviews of restaurants as well as food delivery options from partner restaurants
in more than 1,000 Indian cities and towns, as of 2022–23.
The company's services include restaurant discovery, food delivery, online ordering, table
reservations, membership program, and zomato pay

REVENUE MODEL
Food delivery: Zomato charges a commission on each order that is placed through its food
delivery service. The commission rate varies depending on the restaurant and the city, but it is
typically around 20%.
Restaurant listings and advertising: Zomato charges restaurants a fee to list their menus and
photos on its website and app. Zomato also sells advertising space on its website and app to
restaurants and other businesses.
Subscriptions: Zomato offers a membership program called Zomato Gold, which gives members discounts on food and drinks at partner
restaurants. Zomato also offers a payment solution called Zomato Pay, which allows users to pay for food and other services at partner
restaurants using their Zomato account

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 70


ZOMATO
SUCCESS METRICS
Churn rate: This metric measures the percentage of users who stop using the Zomato app in a given period of time. It is a good indicator
of the company's ability to retain users.
Customer acquisition cost (CAC): This metric measures the amount of money that Zomato spends to acquire a new user. It is a good
indicator of the company's marketing effectiveness.
Cost per order (CPO): This metric measures the cost of fulfilling each order placed through the Zomato app. It is a good indicator of the
company's operational efficiency.
Net Promoter Score (NPS): This metric measures the likelihood of a customer recommending Zomato to a friend or colleague. It is a good
indicator of customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Number of orders: This metric measures the number of orders that have been placed through the Zomato app in a given period of time. It
is a good indicator of the company's growth and demand.
Average order value: This metric measures the average amount of money that is spent on each order placed through the Zomato app. It is
a good indicator of the company's profitability.

PAIN POINTS
Long wait times: One of the biggest pain points for Zomato users is long wait times. This can be especially frustrating when you are hungry
or when you are trying to catch a flight.
High delivery fees: Zomato's delivery fees can be high, especially in certain areas. This can be a deterrent for some users.
Unreliable service: Sometimes, Zomato delivery partners are not available or they cancel deliveries at the last minute. This can be a major
inconvenience for users.
Safety concerns: There have been some reports of safety issues involving Zomato delivery partners. This has led to some users being
hesitant to use the service.
Difficult to contact customer support: If you have a problem with your Zomato order, it can be difficult to contact customer support. The
company's customer service line is often busy and it can be difficult to get a hold of a representative.

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 71


ZOMATO
RECOMMENDATION

Invest in driver safety: Zomato can invest in driver safety by providing drivers with training
on safety procedures and by providing them with safety equipment, such as dashcams.
Be more transparent about its policies: Zomato can be more transparent about its policies
by publishing more information about how it operates, such as its pricing and cancellation
policies. This would help to build trust with riders and drivers.
Improve wait times: Zomato can improve wait times by increasing the number of delivery
partners and by optimizing its routing algorithms. Zomato can also give users the option to
pre-book their orders or to choose a delivery time window.

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 72


ZOMATO
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS

Company Number of Market Founded


Strengths Weaknesses
name active users share year

Large user base, strong brand


High delivery fees, long wait times,
Zomato 100 million 35% 2008 recognition, wide selection of
inconsistent service quality
restaurants

Large user base, strong focus on High commission rates for restaurants,
Swiggy 150 million 40% 2014
customer experience, quick delivery limited reach in rural areas

Focus on healthy and affordable food, Limited restaurant selection, not


Faasos 50 million 10% 2011
quick delivery available in all cities

High commission rates for restaurants,


Uber Eats 20 million 5% 2016 Global brand, strong marketing presence not as many restaurants as Zomato or
Swiggy

Wide selection of restaurants, Not as many users as Zomato or Swiggy,


Foodpanda 10 million 5% 2012
competitive pricing inconsistent service quality

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 73


UBER

11.5 UBER
Uber is a transportation company that connects riders with drivers through a mobile app. The company
was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Uber operates in over 10,000
cities in over 60 countries. In 2022-2023, Uber's revenue was $51.2 billion. The company's services
include:
UberX: This is the company's most popular service which provides rides in cars.
UberXL: This service provides rides in larger vehicles, such as vans or SUVs.
UberBlack: This service provides rides in luxury vehicles.
UberPool: This service allows riders to share a ride with other passengers
UberEats: This service delivers food from restaurants to customers.
Uber Freight: This service connects shippers with carriers for freight transportation.

REVENUE MODEL
Uber's revenue model is a commission-based model. This means that the company
earns a percentage of the fare charged to riders.
Rides Commission: Uber charges a commission on each ride that is taken
through its platform. The commission rate varies depending on the city and the
type of ride, but it is typically around 20%.
Other Fees: Uber also charges a variety of other fees, such as cancellation fees,
booking fees, and surge pricing fees.
Ad Revenue: Uber also generates revenue from advertising. The company sells
advertising space on its app and website, and it also partners with businesses to
promote their products and services to Uber users.

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 74


UBER
SUCCESS METRICS

Number of active users: This metric measures the number


of users who have used the Uber app in a given period of
time. It is a good indicator of the company's reach and
popularity.
Number of rides: This metric measures the number of rides
that have been taken through the Uber app in a given
period of time. It is a good indicator of the company's
growth and demand.
Average ride duration: This metric measures the average
length of time that a ride takes. It is a good indicator of the
efficiency of the Uber platform.
Average fare: This metric measures the average amount of
money that is paid for a ride. It is a good indicator of the
affordability of the Uber service.
Net Promoter Score (NPS): This metric measures the
likelihood of a customer recommending Uber to a friend or
colleague. It is a good indicator of customer satisfaction
and loyalty.
Driver satisfaction: This metric measures the level of satisfaction that drivers have with Uber. It is a good indicator of the quality of the
Uber experience for drivers.

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 75


UBER
PAIN POINTS
Long wait times: One of the biggest pain points for Uber users is long wait times. This can
be especially frustrating when you are in a hurry or when you are trying to catch a flight.
High fares: Uber fares can be expensive, especially during peak hours or in busy areas. This
can be a deterrent for some users.
Unreliable service: Sometimes, Uber drivers are not available or they cancel rides at the
last minute. This can be a major inconvenience for users.
Safety concerns: There have been some reports of safety issues involving Uber drivers.
This has led to some users being hesitant to use the service.
Difficult to contact customer support: If you have a problem with your Uber ride, it can be
difficult to contact customer support. The company's customer service line is often busy
and it can be difficult to get a hold of a representative.

RECOMMENDATION

Create a loyalty program: Uber can create a loyalty program to reward riders for their continued use of the service. This could include
things like discounts on rides or free rides after a certain number of trips.
Invest in driver safety: Uber can invest in driver safety by providing drivers with training on safety procedures and by providing them
with safety equipment, such as dashcams.
Be more transparent about its policies: Uber can be more transparent about its policies by publishing more information about how it
operates, such as its pricing and cancellation policies. This would help to build trust with riders and drivers.

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 76


UBER
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS

Number of Market Year


Company name Strengths Weaknesses
active users share founded

Global brand, strong marketing presence, High fares, inconsistent service


Uber 70 million 25% 2013
large driver base quality, safety concerns

Strong local brand, competitive pricing, Less international reach than


Ola 150 million 50% 2010
focus on customer service Uber, driver cancellations

Less brand awareness than


Peer-to-peer ride-hailing model, lower
inDriver 50 million 15% 2012 Uber and Ola, driver vetting
fares than Uber and Ola
process

US-based company, focus on safety and Small market share in India,


Lyft 1 million 5% 2012
reliability limited driver base

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 77


INSTAG RAM
11.6 INSTAGRAM

Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social networking service owned by Meta Platforms. The app allows
users to take photos and videos, apply digital filters, and share them on a variety of social media platforms,
including Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. Instagram was founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger,
and it quickly became one of the most popular social media platforms in the world.

As of 2023, Instagram has over 1 billion active users worldwide. The app is available in over 190 countries and
is translated into 35 languages. Instagram's revenue in 2022-23 was $33.67 billion.

REVENUE MODEL
Advertising: Instagram's advertising revenue comes from businesses
that create ads that appear on the platform. Businesses can target their
ads to specific demographics, interests, and behaviours
Shopping: Instagram's shopping revenue comes from businesses that
sell their products directly on the platform. Instagram charges
businesses a commission on each sale that is made through Instagram
Shops.
Sponsorships: Instagram's sponsorship revenue comes from businesses
that sponsor Instagram influencers to promote their products or
services. This is a popular way for businesses to reach a targeted
audience.
Data licensing: Instagram's data licensing revenue comes from
businesses that buy data about Instagram users. This data can be used
by businesses to target their ads and improve their products and
services.
IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 78
INSTAG RAM
SUCCESS METRICS
Number of active users: This metric measures the number of users who have logged into Instagram in a given period of time. It is a
good indicator of the platform's reach and popularity.
Time spent on the platform: This metric measures the amount of time that users spend on Instagram in a given period of time. It is a
good indicator of user engagement.
Number of posts and stories: This metric measures the number of posts and stories that are created on Instagram in a given period of
time. It is a good indicator of the platform's activity and creativity.
Number of likes and comments: This metric measures the number of likes and comments that are received on posts and stories in a
given period of time. It is a good indicator of user engagement and interaction.
Number of followers: This metric measures the number of users who follow a particular account. It is a good indicator of the account's
popularity and influence.
Number of impressions: This metric measures the number of times that a post or story is seen by users. It is a good indicator of the
reach and visibility of a post or story.

PAIN POINTS
Overloaded content: Instagram users are bombarded with a lot of content, which can be overwhelming and make it difficult to find
the content that they are interested in.
Algorithms: Instagram's algorithms determine which content users see in their feeds. These algorithms are often criticized for being
opaque and for showing users content that they are not interested in.
Toxicity: Instagram has been criticized for its lack of moderation, which has led to the spread of harmful content, such as
cyberbullying and hate speech.
Privacy: Instagram has been criticized for its privacy practices. The company has been accused of collecting too much data about its
users and of not doing enough to protect user privacy.
Safety concerns: Instagram has been criticized for its safety features. The company has been accused of not doing enough to protect
users from predators and other harmful individuals.

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 79


INSTAG RAM
RECOMMENDATION

Focus on short-form video: Short-form video is popular with


Gen Z users, and TikTok is the most popular short-form video
platform in India. Instagram can compete with TikTok by adding
more features for creating and sharing short-form videos.
Add more augmented reality features: Augmented reality (AR)
is a growing trend in social media, and Snapchat is the most
popular AR platform in India. Instagram can compete with
Snapchat by adding more AR features, such as filters and
lenses.
Make it easier to find relevant content: Instagram's algorithm
can be difficult to understand, and users often find it difficult
to find the content that they are interested in. Instagram can
improve the algorithm by making it more transparent and by
giving users more control over the content that they see.

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 80


INSTAG RAM
COMPETITOR ANALYSIS

Number of Year
Market
Company active founde Strengths Weaknesses
share
users d

Algorithm can be difficult to


Popular with users of all ages, Strong brand
Instagram 1 billion 13.70% 2010 understand, Can be addictive, Some
recognition, Wide range of features
users find it to be a superficial platform

Popular with Gen Z users, Short-form videos are


Can be addictive, Some users find the
TikTok 1 billion 12.90% 2016 popular, Engaging features such as challenges
content to be too vapid
and duets

Popular with Gen Z users, Unique features such


Can be difficult to use, Some users find
Snapchat 306 million 4.10% 2011 as disappearing messages and augmented
the content to be too ephemeral
reality

Can be difficult to use for businesses,


Popular with users interested in fashion, home
Pinterest 459 million 6.20% 2010 Some users find the content to be too
décor, and food, Visually appealing platform
aspirational

Popular with all ages, Wide range of content, Can be difficult to find specific content,
YouTube 2.9 billion 39.10% 2005
Strong brand recognition Some users find the ads to be intrusive

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 81


12 . ETH ICAL CONS IDE R AT IONS I N P R OD U C T
M ANAG E M E NT
12.1 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PRODUCT MANAGEMENT
Ethical considerations in product management are of paramount importance in today's business landscape. Product managers play a
pivotal role in shaping products, and their decisions can have far-reaching ethical implications. Here are some key ethical considerations in
product management:

User Privacy and Data Protection:


Collecting and handling user data responsibly is a primary ethical concern. Product managers must ensure that data is collected with
informed consent, securely stored, and used only for its intended purpose.
Transparency in data practices, such as providing clear privacy policies and options for users to control their data, is vital.
Inclusivity and Accessibility:
Products should be designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. Product managers should advocate for inclusive design principles
and prioritize accessibility features to ensure that products are usable by everyone.
Transparency and Honesty:
Product managers should be transparent about the capabilities and limitations of their products. Misleading marketing or hiding potential
risks can lead to ethical breaches. Honest communication with customers and stakeholders, especially when it comes to issues, outages, or
security breaches, is crucial.
Fair Pricing and Monetization:
Pricing should be fair and transparent. Avoiding price discrimination or exploiting users through hidden fees or predatory pricing models is
essential. Be upfront about how the product generates revenue, especially when using advertising or freemium models.
Ethical AI and Algorithms:
If a product uses artificial intelligence or algorithms, ensure that they are designed and trained without bias and are transparent in their
decision-making processes. Consider the potential consequences of automated decisions on users' lives and ensure that there are
mechanisms for appeal and correction.

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 82


12 . ETH ICAL CONS IDE R AT IONS I N P R OD U C T
M ANAG E M E NT
Environmental Impact:
Consider the environmental impact of the product's lifecycle, from production to disposal. Sustainable practices, such as using eco-friendly
materials and minimizing energy consumption, should be a part of product design and management.
Ethical Supply Chain:
Be aware of the supply chain's ethical implications, including issues like child labor, unfair wages, and environmental harm. Ensure that
suppliers adhere to ethical standards.
Customer Well-being:
Prioritize customer well-being over short-term profits. Avoid designing products that exploit addictive behaviors or promote harmful
activities. Consider the mental health impact of products, especially in the case of social media and gaming platforms.
Continuous Ethical Review:
Ethical considerations should be an ongoing part of product development. Regularly review product's impact and make adjustments
necessary to align with evolving ethical standards.
Ethical Leadership:
Product managers should lead by example, advocating for ethical decision-making within the organization and fostering a culture that
values ethics in product development.
In conclusion, ethical considerations are integral to responsible product management. Ethical product managers not only ensure
compliance with laws and regulations but also strive to create products that benefit users, society, and the environment while minimizing
harm. By prioritizing ethics in product management, businesses can build trust with customers, mitigate risks, and contribute to a more
ethical and sustainable future.
Social Responsibility:
Assess the broader social impact of the product. Will it contribute positively to society, or does it have the potential to cause harm?
Be prepared to take action if the product is misused or used unethically by customers.

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 83


13. RESOURCES FOR PRODUCT MANAGERS AND
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS

13.1 BOOKS, BLOGS, TOOLS, AND FURTHER READING


RECOMMENDATIONS

Learning about Product Management can be a rewarding journey, whether


you're a beginner looking to break into the field or an experienced professional
looking to expand your knowledge. Here are some valuable resources to help
you learn about Product Management:

Books:
"Inspired: How To Create Products Customers Love" by Marty Cagan: This book
provides a comprehensive guide to modern product management and is highly
regarded in the industry.
"Lean Product and Lean Analytics" by Ben Yoskovitz and Alistair Croll: These
books offer practical insights into building and scaling successful products using
lean and data-driven methodologies.
"Product Management for Dummies" by Brian Lawley and Pamela Schure: A
beginner-friendly introduction to the fundamentals of product management.

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 84


13. RESOURCES FOR PRODUCT MANAGERS AND
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS
Online Courses
Coursera: Offers courses like "Digital Product Management" from the University of Virginia
and "Agile Development Specialization" from the University of Virginia that cover various
aspects of product management.
edX: Provides courses such as "Becoming a Product Manager" from UC Berkeley and
"Product Management MicroMasters" from Boston University.
LinkedIn Learning: Offers a range of product management courses, including "Product
Management: Building a Product Roadmap" and "Agile Product Owner Role."

Blogs and Websites


Mind the Product: A leading community and blog dedicated to product management,
featuring articles, webinars, and conferences.
Product Coalition: A publication on Medium with a wealth of articles on product
management, best practices, and real-world experiences.
Pragmatic Institute: Offers valuable articles, webinars, and resources on product
management and product marketing.

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 85


13. RESOURCES FOR PRODUCT MANAGERS AND
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS
YouTube Channels:
Product School: Provides a wide range of videos and webinars on product
management topics, including interviews with experienced product
managers.
Ken Norton's "How to Hire a Product Manager": A classic presentation by
Ken Norton on what makes a great product manager.
Podcasts:
"This is Product Management": A podcast featuring interviews with product
leaders from various industries, discussing their experiences and insights.
Available on spotify.
"The Product Management": Hosted by Brandon Chu, this podcast explores
various product management topics and best practices.
Communities and Forums:
ProductCoalition.com: A Medium publication that allows you to connect
with other product professionals and share insights.
r/ProductManagement: The Product Management subreddit is a forum for
discussing all things related to product management.
Networking and Conferences:
Attend product management conferences and events like "Mind the Product" and
"ProductCamp" to learn from industry experts and network with fellow professionals. Online
Product Management Tools:
Experiment with online product management tools like "Aha!" and "Productboard" to gain
hands-on experience in managing product development.

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13. RESOURCES FOR PRODUCT MANAGERS AND
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS

13.2 INTERVIEW TIPS FOR PRODUCT MANAGEMENT ROLE

The journey to secure a product management role as an MBA student is a challenging yet rewarding path. The product manager's role is
pivotal in any organization, as it requires a unique blend of skills, knowledge, and experience. Landing this role demands not only a
profound understanding of product management but also the ability to effectively communicate one's abilities and potential to
prospective employers. In this essay, we will explore essential tips to help MBA students excel in product management interviews.

Understanding the Product Lifecycle :


Product managers are entrusted with guiding a product through its entire lifecycle. It is vital for MBA students aspiring to this role to
demonstrate a profound understanding of the product lifecycle stages: ideation, development, launch, growth, and maturity. During the
interview, be prepared to discuss your experiences at each of these stages. Employ real-world examples to showcase your expertise and
competence in navigating products through these phases.

Showcase Business Acumen


One of the primary responsibilities of a product manager is to align product decisions with broader business goals. To stand out in
interviews, emphasize your business acumen. Demonstrate your ability to comprehend market dynamics, analyze the competitive
landscape, and utilize financial data for informed decision-making. Share anecdotes where you've translated these insights into effective
product strategies.
Comprehensive Research
Thoroughly researching the company and the specific product you would be managing is indispensable. Employers value candidates who
exhibit a genuine interest in their organization. Study the company's history, culture, recent developments, and competitive positioning.
Familiarize yourself with the product's features, target market, and unique selling points. During the interview, showcase your knowledge
by tying it back to your motivation for wanting to join the company and manage that particular product.

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 87


13. RESOURCES FOR PRODUCT MANAGERS AND
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS
Product Management Frameworks
Familiarize yourself with popular product management frameworks, including the Product
Development Lifecycle, Lean Startup, and Design Thinking. Be ready to discuss how you've applied
these frameworks in your previous roles or academic projects. Show how your understanding of
these methodologies informs your approach to solving complex problems and driving product
success.
Technical Competence
Depending on the specific product and industry, a degree of technical knowledge may be required.
While product managers are not expected to be engineers, possessing a basic understanding of
relevant technical concepts can be an asset. Invest some time in refreshing your technical
knowledge to demonstrate your capacity to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical
teams effectively.
Continuous Learning and Enthusiasm
Product management is an ever-evolving field. Demonstrate your commitment to continuous
learning by staying updated on industry trends and recent developments. Express your enthusiasm
for the role and the opportunity to contribute to the company's success. A passionate and motivated candidate is always appealing to
potential employers
In conclusion, securing a product management role as an MBA student demands a multifaceted approach that combines knowledge, skills, and
effective communication. By understanding the product lifecycle, showcasing business acumen, conducting thorough research, excelling in
behavioral interviews, and demonstrating proficiency in product management frameworks, technical competence, user-centricity,
communication, problem-solving, and leadership, MBA students can position themselves as strong candidates. Asking insightful questions and
maintaining a commitment to continuous learning and enthusiasm for the role can further enhance one's candidacy. With these tips in mind,
MBA students can confidently navigate product management interviews and embark on a fulfilling career in this dynamic field.

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13. RESOURCES FOR PRODUCT MANAGERS AND
ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS

PM Interview Cheat
Sheet

IIM Visakhapatnam | 2023-2024 89


Dear Readers,
As you reach the final page of "PM Book" by The Product Management Club, Novus, we want to express our gratitude for
joining us on this insightful journey into the dynamic world of product management. This book has been crafted with care to serve as your
companion in understanding the core principles, best practices, and real-world challenges faced by product managers.
As you navigate through the pages, you've gained a comprehensive understanding of the product management lifecycle, honed your
strategic thinking, and learned to tackle complex problems with creativity and precision. We believe that the knowledge imparted in this
book will not only enhance your current role but also prepare you for the challenges that lie ahead in your product management career.
Furthermore, "PM Book" is designed to be an invaluable resource as you step into interviews. The real-world scenarios, case studies, and
practical insights shared within these pages will empower you to articulate your product management expertise with confidence. Whether
you are a seasoned professional or a budding product manager, this book equips you with the tools to excel in interviews, impress hiring
managers, and stand out in a competitive field.
We hope that the lessons learned here will be a guiding light in your journey towards becoming an exceptional product manager. Thank
you for choosing "PM Book" as your trusted companion in the pursuit of excellence in product management.

The Product Management Club, Novus

All the best!


novus_iimv Novus - Product Management Club of IIM Visakhapatnam novus.pm@iimv.ac.in

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