Product Management Fundamentals from edX

A recent news article calls the Product Manager the 4th most important role in a company today, making product management one of the hottest jobs in the market. However, most people are unaware of what exactly a Product Manager does. Does the role require technical skills or business skills? And what is it about the role that demands extreme empathy with the customer?

This e-learning course by the Institute of Product Leadership is a foundational course that demystifies the role. Starting from the very basics of “What is a product?”, the course curriculum introduces students to the productizing process and the skills and frameworks such as Market Analysis, Strategic Planning, Product Planning, Go to Market and Sales Enablement required to design, launch, and nurture a product. Students will also be introduced to the role and career path of a Product Manager and the business, technology, and customer contexts a person needs to master to become a good Product Manager.

Although no prior knowledge is required, an appreciation or hands-on experience of how product and services companies operate is helpful.

What you'll learn

Get a sound introduction to the world of products
Understand value and the value management journey that is critical to the lifecycle of all products
Understand the Adaptive Productizing Process, a leading framework for product innovation
Learn the nuances and career track of the Product Manager role.
Journey of idea to commercially successful products or solutions
Develop a value proposition using the value prop canvas framework
Fundamental personas & user stories
Customer interviewing techniques

What's inside

Learning objectives

Get a sound introduction to the world of products
Understand value and the value management journey that is critical to the lifecycle of all products
Understand the adaptive productizing process, a leading framework for product innovation
Learn the nuances and career track of the product manager role.

Journey of idea to commercially successful products or solutions
Develop a value proposition using the value prop canvas framework
Fundamental personas & user stories
Customer interviewing techniques

Get a sound introduction to the world of products
Understand value and the value management journey that is critical to the lifecycle of all products
Understand the adaptive productizing process, a leading framework for product innovation
Learn the nuances and career track of the product manager role.
Journey of idea to commercially successful products or solutions
Develop a value proposition using the value prop canvas framework
Fundamental personas & user stories
Customer interviewing techniques

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops the value management journey that is critical to the lifecycle of all products

Explores the Adaptive Productizing Process, a leading framework for product innovation

Teaches value and the value management journey that is critical to the lifecycle of all products

Examines the nuances and career track of the Product Manager role

Develops personas and user stories, which are core skills for product management

Taught by the Institute of Product Leadership, which is recognized for its work in product management

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 Fundamentals with these activities:

Read The Lean Startup

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Introduces framework and mindset related to products

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Read the book. Highlight and take notes.

Read Crossing the Chasm

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Introduces the concept of the chasm and the strategies to cross it

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Read the book. Highlight and take notes.

Create a value proposition canvas

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Develops a crucial skill in value creation

Browse courses on Value Proposition Canvas

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Identify the customer's problem.
Develop a solution that addresses the problem.
Articulate the value proposition in a clear and concise way.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Watch videos on customer interviews

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Enhances ability to understand customers and their needs

Browse courses on Customer Interviews

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Find videos about customer interviews.
Take notes as you watch the videos.
Practice conducting customer interviews.

Build a product roadmap

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Provides practical experience in planning a product

Browse courses on Product Roadmap

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Define the product's vision and goals.
Identify the key milestones that need to be achieved.
Estimate the resources that will be needed.
Develop a timeline for the project.

Attend a workshop on product management

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Provides exposure to experts and industry best practices

Browse courses on Product Management

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Find a workshop that is a good fit for your interests and career goals.
Register for the workshop and make travel arrangements if necessary.
Attend the workshop and take notes.
Follow up with the workshop organizers and speakers after the event.

Develop a product launch plan

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Combines what you learned in the course and test your understanding

Browse courses on Product Launch

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Define the target audience for the product.
Develop a marketing message that will appeal to the target audience.
Create a marketing campaign that will reach the target audience.
Set launch goals and develop a timeline for the launch.
Measure the results of the launch and make adjustments as needed.

Volunteer with a local startup

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Provides real-world experience and makes connections

Browse courses on Product Management

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Find a local startup that you are interested in volunteering with.
Contact the startup and express your interest in volunteering.
Discuss your skills and experience with the startup and how you can contribute.
Start volunteering with the startup.

Career center

Learners who complete Product Management Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for defining and managing the product vision and roadmap, and the course Product Management Fundamentals is an introduction to the role and covers many of the core responsibilities of a Product Manager. For those who are looking to begin a career in product management, or wish to advance their current career, this course offers a foundation in some of the key frameworks and methodologies that Product Managers rely on.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Product Owner

Product Owners collaborate with stakeholders to define and manage the product vision and roadmap. In doing so, they typically draw on research from customer interviews, market analysis, and competitive analysis. Because Product Management Fundamentals teaches the Adaptive Productizing Process and gives students a strong foundation in user stories, value prop canvas frameworks, and customer interviewing techniques, it can help Product Owners build the skills needed to succeed in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Owner

Product Marketing Manager

Product Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies for a product or service. They work closely with Product Managers to understand the product and its value proposition, and they use this information to develop marketing campaigns that reach the target audience. Product Management Fundamentals can help Product Marketing Managers understand the product management process and how it aligns with marketing goals. As a foundational course, it can help Product Marketing Managers develop some of the core skills they need to succeed in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Marketing Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts identify and define business needs and problems, and they often work with Product Managers to develop solutions. Product Management Fundamentals can help Business Analysts understand the product management process and how it aligns with business goals. As a foundational course, it can help Business Analysts develop some of the core skills they need to succeed in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Product Strategy Manager

Product Strategy Managers are responsible for developing and executing the product strategy, and they work closely with Product Managers and other stakeholders to ensure that the product is aligned with the overall business goals. Product Management Fundamentals can help Product Strategy Managers build a strong foundation in product management, with a particular focus on the strategic aspects of the role. In doing so, it may be useful for Product Strategy Managers who are looking to develop their skills in areas such as product planning and go-to-market strategy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Strategy Manager

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers are focused on improving the experience of a product or service, and they do so by studying user needs, behaviors, and motivations. Product Management Fundamentals can help UX Designers build a strong foundation in product management, with a particular focus on understanding the 'value' that a product provides to a user. In doing so, it may be useful for UX designers, especially those working on digital products.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Product Development Manager

Product Development Managers are responsible for the development of a product, and they work closely with engineers and other technical staff to ensure that the product is built according to specifications. Product Management Fundamentals can help Product Development Managers build a strong foundation in product management, with a particular focus on the development aspects of the role. In doing so, it may be useful for Product Development Managers who are looking to develop their skills in areas such as product planning and go-to-market strategy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Development Manager

Market Analyst

Market Analysts build a foundation for product development by studying customers. They provide a Product Manager with valuable information for identifying new market opportunities, defining actionable strategies, and understanding a product's performance in the market. As a foundation course, Product Management Fundamentals can help Market Analysts build the skills they need to develop a strong foundation in product management. Because it provides an overview of the product management process and teaches basic frameworks and techniques, this course may be useful for those who wish to get into a career as a Market Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Analyst

Technical Product Manager

Technical Product Managers are responsible for the technical aspects of a product, and they work closely with engineers and other technical staff to ensure that the product is built according to specifications. Product Management Fundamentals can help Technical Product Managers build a strong foundation in product management, with a particular focus on the technical aspects of the role. In doing so, it may be useful for Technical Product Managers who are looking to develop their skills in areas such as product planning and go-to-market strategy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Product Manager

Product Design Manager

Product Design Managers are responsible for the design of a product, and they work closely with designers and other stakeholders to ensure that the product meets the needs of the user. Product Management Fundamentals can help Product Design Managers build a strong foundation in product management, with a particular focus on the design aspects of the role. In doing so, it may be useful for Product Design Managers who are looking to develop their skills in areas such as product planning and go-to-market strategy.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. Product Management Fundamentals can help Software Engineers understand the product management process and how it aligns with software development goals. As a foundational course, it can help Software Engineers develop some of the core skills they need to succeed in their role, especially as it relates to understanding business requirements and user needs.

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Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities. Product Management Fundamentals can help Business Development Managers understand the product management process and how it aligns with business development goals. As a foundational course, it can help Business Development Managers develop some of the core skills they need to succeed in their role, especially as it relates to understanding customer needs and identifying market opportunities.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. Product Management Fundamentals can help Marketing Managers understand the product management process and how it aligns with marketing goals. As a foundational course, it can help Marketing Managers develop some of the core skills they need to succeed in their role, especially as it relates to understanding customer needs and developing effective marketing campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. Product Management Fundamentals can help Project Managers understand the product management process and how it aligns with project management goals. As a foundational course, it can help Project Managers develop some of the core skills they need to succeed in their role, especially as it relates to understanding business requirements and stakeholder management.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading and managing sales teams. Product Management Fundamentals can help Sales Managers understand the product management process and how it aligns with sales goals. As a foundational course, it can help Sales Managers develop some of the core skills they need to succeed in their role, especially as it relates to understanding customer needs and developing effective sales strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager