Sorry, this page is no longer available
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Matt Versdahl and Rav Ahuja

In today’s fast-changing global market, companies need skilled product managers to develop breakthrough products or to expand their existing offerings. By the end of this course, you will understand what a product manager does in their role and the skills you need to become one.

This introductory course is a valuable investment for those looking to start a career in product management.

Read more

In today’s fast-changing global market, companies need skilled product managers to develop breakthrough products or to expand their existing offerings. By the end of this course, you will understand what a product manager does in their role and the skills you need to become one.

This introductory course is a valuable investment for those looking to start a career in product management.

Learn key product management concepts such as the product lifecycle, personas, value creation, and SWOT analysis. Gain an understanding of the job opportunities in product management and the industry-standard Guide to the Product Management Body of Knowledge, ProdBoK®.

The hands-on labs provide opportunities to investigate product management in simulated real-world settings. You’ll hear from industry experts discussing their points of view, so you learn about their first-hand experiences.

This course is the first in a series of courses, which, once completed, will earn you the IBM Product Management Professional Certificate. Anyone can take this beginner-level course, which does not require any prior Product Management skills or background.

Enroll now

Here's a deal for you

Save money when you learn with a deal that may be relevant to this course.
All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

What's inside

Syllabus

Product Manager Profession Overview
In this module, you will learn about the role of the product manager and the key skills that are important for success. You will learn about a product manager's responsibilities and persona. You will also list the skills, knowledge, and business acumen required to be an effective product manager.
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops knowledge of key product management concepts such as product lifecycle management, value creation, and SWOT analysis, which are core skills for comprehensive product development
Provides hands-on labs to practice product management skills in simulated real-world settings
Features industry expert guest speakers sharing their experiences and insights, which is standard in industry training
Taught by Rav Ahuja and Matt Versdahl, who are recognized in industry for their work in product management
Introduces the Guide to the Product Management Body of Knowledge, ProdBoK®, which is an industry standard credential
Serves as the first in a series of courses that can lead to the IBM Product Management Professional Certificate

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Essential introduction to product management foundations

According to learners, this course serves as an excellent foundational introduction to product management, specifically designed for those new to the field or aspiring to a PM career. Students frequently highlight its clarity in explaining the product manager's role and key concepts, finding it a valuable starting point. Many appreciate the inclusion of industry expert perspectives and the overview of the ProdBoK® Guide. While praised for its comprehensive overview, some reviewers note that the hands-on labs are more theoretical than practical. Recent feedback indicates the course has undergone positive updates, addressing prior concerns about content relevance.
Course content is actively updated and improved.
"The latest updates make it incredibly relevant to today's market. Highly recommend for beginners!"
"Some information seemed a little dated when I took it last year, though they might have updated it since."
"It's great to see that the course instructors are responsive and have kept the content fresh and relevant over time."
Excellent for understanding the PM role and career path.
"This really helped me understand what a product manager does daily and if it's the right career for me."
"As someone looking to switch careers into PM, this provided all the foundational knowledge I needed."
"I appreciate how it covers not just the concepts but also how to prepare for and enter the product management field."
Clear and comprehensive introduction for novices.
"As a complete beginner, this course gave me a very clear and concise overview of what product management is all about."
"I found it to be a fantastic starting point to understand the basics and the overall product lifecycle."
"I felt well-equipped with the core concepts after completing this course. The explanations are clear and the examples are relatable."
Can feel slow or repetitive for some learners.
"If you have any prior experience in business or project management, a lot of this might feel repetitive."
"Some of the early content felt a bit slow-paced, but it picked up. Generally positive experience."
"I found parts of the course reiterated information, which was fine for review but slowed my progress at times."
Labs are conceptual, not hands-on tool practice.
"I was hoping for more actual 'hands-on' exercises; some labs felt more like theoretical scenarios."
"My only minor critique is that some of the 'hands-on labs' felt more like thought exercises rather than actual practical application."
"I wished for more direct application of tools or techniques instead of just case study analyses in the labs."

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: An Introduction with these activities:
Read Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love
Reading Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love will help you understand the principles of product management and how to develop successful products.
View EMPOWERED on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book.
  • Summarize the key concepts of the book.
Discuss product management with other students
Discussing product management with other students will help you learn from others and gain different perspectives on the field.
Browse courses on Product Management
Show steps
  • Find other students who are interested in product management.
  • Set up a time to meet and discuss product management.
  • Share your knowledge and experience with each other.
Attend product management meetups
Attending product management meetups will help you connect with other professionals in the field and learn about different aspects of the job.
Browse courses on Product Management
Show steps
  • Find product management meetups in your area.
  • Attend product management meetups.
  • Network with other product managers.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Participate in a product management workshop
Participating in a product management workshop will help you learn more about the field and develop your skills.
Browse courses on Product Management
Show steps
  • Find product management workshops in your area.
  • Attend product management workshops.
  • Participate in the workshop activities.
Conduct a SWOT analysis of a product
Conducting a SWOT analysis of a product will help you identify its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, which is a valuable skill for product managers.
Browse courses on SWOT Analysis
Show steps
  • Gather information about the product, including its features, target market, and competitive landscape.
  • Identify the product's strengths and weaknesses.
  • Identify the product's opportunities and threats.
  • Create a SWOT analysis matrix.
Participate in a product management competition
Participating in a product management competition will help you test your skills and learn from other product managers.
Browse courses on Product Management
Show steps
  • Find product management competitions in your area.
  • Register for a product management competition.
  • Prepare for the competition.
  • Compete in the competition.
Develop a product roadmap
Developing a product roadmap will help you plan and manage the development of a product over time, which is an essential skill for product managers.
Browse courses on Product Roadmap
Show steps
  • Define the product's vision and goals.
  • Identify the key milestones and deliverables for the product.
  • Create a timeline for the product's development.
  • Identify the resources needed to develop the product.
  • Create a product roadmap document.
Create a product management portfolio
Creating a product management portfolio will help you organize your work and showcase your skills to potential employers.
Browse courses on Product Management
Show steps
  • Gather your product management work.
  • Choose the best examples of your work.
  • Create a portfolio website or document.
  • Present your portfolio to potential employers.

Career center

Learners who complete Product Management: An Introduction will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the lifecycle of a product, from ideation to launch. This course will help you build a foundation in product management, including the product lifecycle, personas, value creation, and SWOT analysis. You will also learn about the job opportunities in product management and the industry-standard Guide to the Product Management Body of Knowledge, ProdBoK®. This course is a valuable investment for those looking to start a career in product management.
Product Owner
Product Owners are responsible for defining the vision and roadmap for a product. They work closely with the development team to ensure that the product meets the needs of the users. This course will help you build a foundation in product management, including the product lifecycle, personas, value creation, and SWOT analysis. You will also learn about the job opportunities in product management and the industry-standard Guide to the Product Management Body of Knowledge, ProdBoK®. This course is a valuable investment for those looking to start a career in product management.
Product Marketing Manager
Product Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing the marketing strategy for a product. They work closely with the product team to ensure that the product is positioned correctly in the market and that the target audience is reached. This course will help you build a foundation in product management, including the product lifecycle, personas, value creation, and SWOT analysis. You will also learn about the job opportunities in product management and the industry-standard Guide to the Product Management Body of Knowledge, ProdBoK®. This course is a valuable investment for those looking to start a career in product management.
Program Manager
Program Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and controlling a program. They work with a team of project managers to ensure that the program goals are met. This course will help you build a foundation in product management, including the product lifecycle, personas, value creation, and SWOT analysis. You will also learn about the job opportunities in product management and the industry-standard Guide to the Product Management Body of Knowledge, ProdBoK®. This course is a valuable investment for those looking to start a career in product management.
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and controlling a project. They work with a team of project stakeholders to ensure that the project goals are met. This course will help you build a foundation in product management, including the product lifecycle, personas, value creation, and SWOT analysis. You will also learn about the job opportunities in product management and the industry-standard Guide to the Product Management Body of Knowledge, ProdBoK®. This course is a valuable investment for those looking to start a career in product management.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements and develop solutions. This course will help you build a foundation in product management, including the product lifecycle, personas, value creation, and SWOT analysis. You will also learn about the job opportunities in product management and the industry-standard Guide to the Product Management Body of Knowledge, ProdBoK®. This course is a valuable investment for those looking to start a career in product management.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data. They work with stakeholders to identify trends and patterns and develop insights. This course will help you build a foundation in product management, including the product lifecycle, personas, value creation, and SWOT analysis. You will also learn about the job opportunities in product management and the industry-standard Guide to the Product Management Body of Knowledge, ProdBoK®. This course is a valuable investment for those looking to start a career in product management.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing software applications. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements and develop solutions. This course may be useful for those looking to start a career in software engineering.
Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality Assurance Analysts are responsible for testing software applications to ensure that they meet quality standards. They work with stakeholders to identify defects and develop solutions. This course may be useful for those looking to start a career in quality assurance.
UX Designer
UX Designers are responsible for designing the user experience of software applications. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements and develop solutions. This course may be useful for those looking to start a career in UX design.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They work with stakeholders to identify target markets and develop strategies. This course may be useful for those looking to start a career in marketing.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers are responsible for developing and executing sales strategies. They work with stakeholders to identify target markets and develop strategies. This course may be useful for those looking to start a career in sales.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers are responsible for planning and executing business operations. They work with stakeholders to identify and develop strategies. This course may be useful for those looking to start a career in operations management.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data and developing recommendations. They work with stakeholders to identify opportunities and risks. This course may be useful for those looking to start a career in financial analysis.
Management Consultant
Management Consultants are responsible for providing advice to businesses on how to improve their performance. They work with stakeholders to identify problems and develop solutions. This course may be useful for those looking to start a career in management consulting.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Product Management: An Introduction.
Comprehensive guide to product management, covering everything from the basics to advanced topics. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about product management, whether they are new to the field or experienced professionals.
Practical guide to using the Lean methodology in product management. It great resource for product managers who want to learn how to build products that are successful in the market.
Great resource for product managers who want to learn how to get customers for their products. It practical guide that covers everything from marketing to sales.
Classic work on innovation. It must-read for anyone who wants to understand how to create successful products and businesses.
Practical guide to using Agile methods in product management. It great resource for product managers who want to learn how to use Scrum to build products.
Great resource for product managers who want to learn how to develop effective strategies.
Great resource for product managers who want to learn how to use design thinking to create innovative products.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser