Product Management: Foundations & Stakeholder Collaboration from Coursera

Product managers play a crucial role in driving the development and success of a product, serving as a critical link between customers, stakeholders, and the development team.

They are responsible for understanding market requirements, defining product objectives and features, and overseeing the entire product lifecycle from conception to its release.

This course will provide you with valuable skills in fostering productive collaborations, engaging stakeholders effectively, and enhancing communication abilities.

You will learn about Kotler's Five Levels of product and market segmentation. In addition, you’ll explore the product manager's role in business development, SWOT analysis, and Porter's Five Forces Model for market assessment.

The course also helps you understand the concepts of innovation and ideation and equip you with crucial skills for effective communication and teamwork in the field of Product Management.

Throughout this course, several product management experts will share their insights and experiences in product management. Practice quizzes and graded quizzes will test your knowledge. You will be able to apply the concepts learned in the course in a final project.

This course is suitable for anyone who aspires to apply for product management jobs. It requires no prior experience or knowledge of product management.

What's inside

Syllabus

Product Management Communication and Collaboration Fundamentals

Module 1 provides valuable insights into the foundational skills required for success in the field of product management. It consists of two lessons. Lesson 1, "Effective Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement," emphasizes the importance of fostering productive collaborations and engaging stakeholders effectively. Lesson 2, "Communication Skills Inventory," focuses on evaluating and enhancing your communication abilities, a fundamental requirement for success in the role of Product Managers.

Business Development and the Product Manager

Module 2 offers a deep dive into Product Management and Business Development. Lesson 1 explores "Product Levels and Segmentation," covering Kotler's Five Levels of a Product and Market Segmentation. In Lesson 2, "Product Management, Business Development, and Strategy," you'll learn about the Product Manager's role in business development, SWOT analysis, Porter's 5 Forces Model for market assessment, and product planning and strategy. The Hands-on labs apply these concepts, and the module concludes with quizzes and a glossary.

Driving Strategy and Innovation

In Module 3, you will learn about driving strategy and innovation. Lesson 1 focuses on innovation, offering insights into various methodologies and challenges, while lesson 2 immerses you in analytical thinking, abstract skills, and the collaborative relationship between product managers and business analysts.

Understanding Communication Styles

Different people communicate in different ways, so it’s important to understand communication styles. Lesson 1 of this module introduces the different types of communication styles and gives you the opportunity to discover your style. Lesson 2 underlines the importance of team communication as well as public relations and media planning.

Course Summary and Final Assessment

In this module, you will complete a final project where you will review a scenario, develop an Elevator Speech, analyze market forces using the Five Forces framework, explore Product Management skills, and develop an initial public relations plan. Additionally, you will attempt a graded exam designed to evaluate your understanding of Product Management.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides foundational skills for a successful career in Product Management

Covers essential concepts in product management, like business development, strategy, and innovation

Emphasizes the significance of fostering productive collaborations and enhancing communication abilities

No prior experience or knowledge of product management is required

Features practice quizzes and graded quizzes to test understanding of concepts

Includes insights and experiences from product management experts

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Product Management: Foundations & Stakeholder Collaboration with these activities:

Read Crossing the Chasm

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Gain insights into the challenges of bringing new products to market.

View The Infinite Staircase: What the Universe Tells... on Amazon

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Read the book.
Summarize the main takeaways.

Review Kotler's Five Levels of Product

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Refresh your understanding of Kotler's Five Levels of Product, a key concept in product management.

Browse courses on Market Segmentation

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Read an article or blog post that summarizes Kotler's Five Levels of Product.
Take a practice quiz on Kotler's Five Levels of Product.

Learn about Business Development in Product Management

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Deepen your understanding of the role of business development in product management.

Browse courses on Business Development

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Watch a tutorial on business development in product management.
Read articles or blog posts on the topic.

Six other activities

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SWOT Analysis Practice

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Strengthen your SWOT analysis skills, a valuable tool for evaluating market opportunities.

Browse courses on SWOT Analysis

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Identify a product or service.
Conduct a SWOT analysis on the product or service.
Write a brief summary of your SWOT analysis findings.

Discuss Porter's Five Forces Model

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Engage in a peer session to analyze and discuss Porter's Five Forces Model.

Browse courses on Porter's Five Forces Model

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Find a study partner or group.
Select a product or industry to analyze using Porter's Five Forces Model.
Discuss your findings and insights.

Develop a Product Management Plan

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Create a comprehensive plan to guide the development and launch of a product.

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Define the product's value proposition.
Conduct market research to identify target customers.
Develop a product roadmap.
Write a product management plan.

Attend a Product Management Workshop

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Enhance your product management skills and connect with industry professionals.

Browse courses on Product Management

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Research and identify relevant product management workshops.
Register for and attend the workshop.
Actively participate in the workshop activities and discussions.
Network with speakers and other attendees.

Elevator Speech Development

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Develop an effective elevator speech to concisely communicate your product's value.

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Define the key message you want to convey.
Identify your target audience.
Write a draft of your elevator speech.
Practice delivering your elevator speech.

Volunteer at a Product Development Startup

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Gain practical experience in product development by volunteering at a startup.

Browse courses on Product Development

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Identify a product development startup that aligns with your interests.
Contact the startup and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Contribute your skills and knowledge to the startup's product development efforts.

Career center

Learners who complete Product Management: Foundations & Stakeholder Collaboration will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for overseeing the entire product lifecycle and driving product success. This course provides foundational skills in product management, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, communication, and market assessment. These skills are essential for success in product management and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Program Manager

Program Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and controlling programs to achieve specific goals. This course provides foundational skills in project management, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication. These skills are essential for success in program management and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Product Owner

Product Owners are responsible for managing and prioritizing product features and ensuring that products meet customer needs. This course provides foundational skills in product management, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, communication, and market assessment. These skills are essential for success as a Product Owner and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Owner

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and controlling projects to achieve specific goals. This course provides foundational skills in project management, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication. These skills are essential for success in project management and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing and understanding business needs and developing solutions to meet those needs. This course provides foundational skills in business analysis, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication. These skills are essential for success as a Business Analyst and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns to promote products and services. This course provides foundational skills in marketing, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication. These skills are essential for success as a Marketing Manager and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and managing sales teams to achieve sales goals. This course provides foundational skills in sales management, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication. These skills are essential for success as a Sales Manager and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Customer Success Manager

Customer Success Managers are responsible for managing and supporting customer relationships to ensure customer satisfaction. This course provides foundational skills in customer success management, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication. These skills are essential for success as a Customer Success Manager and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Success Manager

UX Designer

UX Designers are responsible for designing and improving the user experience of products and services. This course provides foundational skills in UX design, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication. These skills are essential for success as a UX Designer and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Technical Product Manager

Technical Product Managers are responsible for managing and developing technical products and services. This course provides foundational skills in technical product management, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication. These skills are essential for success as a Technical Product Manager and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Product Manager

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to provide insights for business decision-making. This course provides foundational skills in data analysis, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication. These skills are essential for success as a Data Analyst and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Market Researcher

Market Researchers are responsible for conducting research to understand market trends and customer needs. This course provides foundational skills in market research, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication. These skills are essential for success as a Market Researcher and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Content Writer

Content Writers are responsible for creating and managing content for websites, blogs, and social media. This course provides foundational skills in content writing, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication. These skills are essential for success as a Content Writer and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Writer

Public relations manager

Public Relations Managers are responsible for managing the public image of companies and organizations. This course provides foundational skills in public relations, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication. These skills are essential for success as a Public Relations Manager and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public relations manager

Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for generating new business leads and developing new business relationships. This course provides foundational skills in business development, including effective collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and communication. These skills are essential for success as a Business Development Manager and will help learners develop the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager