Product Management: Capstone Project from Coursera

In this comprehensive capstone course, you’ll apply your product management skills to take on the role of a product manager and, using the scenario provided, produce 16 essential industry-recognized product management artifacts.

You’ll create an Ansoff matrix, the product vision document, the Product Requirements Document (PRD), and the product roadmap. You’ll also develop the business case and create the product narrative, the positioning statement, marketing collateral recommendations, a demand generation plan, and an end-of-life plan.

You’ll submit your completed artifacts for peer review and grade your peers’ submissions. These artifacts can help you demonstrate your readiness for entry-level product manager roles to future employers.

Then, test your knowledge with questions similar to those you will experience when taking the Association of International Product Marketing & Management (AIPMM) Certified Product Manager (CPM) certification exam.

Take advantage of the bonus module to get personal portfolio tips that can help you showcase your product management acumen to prospective employers. You’ll also get helpful resume tips and advice about starting your product manager job search.

What's inside

Syllabus

Product Management: The Fundamentals

Begin module one by learning about the product manager’s role and the associated necessary requirements for success. Then, explore the Porter Five Forces model, a strategy tool used to evaluate market attractiveness and aid in planning and decision-making. Next, learn about applying the Ansoff Matrix to illustrate potential product growth strategies. You’ll also demonstrate skills in a hands-on lab where you can apply the Porter and Ansoff models to a product scenario and perform a product manager skills inventory.

The Conceive and Plan Phases

In this module, you’ll explore product conception and planning. You'll learn which entries to include as part of product concept and product vision documents and how to add these entries to those documents. You will gain hands-on experience working on a product concept document in a hands-on lab. Then, discover what information you’ll include in a product requirement document. Next, learn why user stories are essential to the product backlog. And finally, gain fundamental knowledge you need to know to create a business case.

The Develop and Qualify Phases

In this module, you’ll learn about the Develop and Qualify phases of product development. Begin with the Develop phase and gain insight into the purpose and content of a beta plan. Then, explore the five areas of usability testing. You’ll apply your knowledge in a hands-on lab where you will develop a beta plan and define usability testing requirements for a provided scenario. Next, focus on the Qualify Phase. You’ll learn about readiness categories and how to complete a readiness assessment report. Then, apply your knowledge in a hands-on lab where you will use a provided scenario to create a launch readiness assessment report.

Launch, Delivery, and Retire Phases

In this module, you’ll complete your project management lifecycle journey with the Launch, Deliver, and Retire Phases. Learn about essential final positioning and marketing collateral considerations for your product’s Demand Generation Plan, and practice creating a Demand Generation Plan using a provided scenario. You’ll complete your journey with the product development life cycle by learning about the Deliver and Retire phases and discovering how to create an End-of-Life (EOL) plan using a provided scenario.

Final Submission and Evaluation

In this module, you’ll complete a final project and submit your work from prior modules to demonstrate that you have the knowledge required to complete documents utilized throughout the product development lifecycle. Then, you'll complete the final quiz to validate your knowledge. This quiz includes questions similar in style to what you may encounter in the AIPMM Certified Product Manager certification exam, however the actual exam has a lot more questions.

(Bonus) Portfolio Development and Job Readiness

In this bonus module, discover how to create an impactful personal portfolio that demonstrates your product management career readiness. This module also includes valuable resume preparation and job search tips.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops essential project management artifacts, aiding learners in honing their practical skills

Examines the industry-recognized Product Manager (CPM) certification exam, preparing learners for their potential career path

Offers hands-on labs and interactive materials, providing learners with practical experience

Taught by instructors from IBM Skills Network Team, suggesting industry expertise and relevance

Covers a comprehensive range of product management phases, providing learners with a holistic understanding

Includes a bonus module on portfolio development and job readiness, enhancing learners' career prospects

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: Capstone Project with these activities:

Review and organize course materials

Show steps

Improve retention by reviewing and organizing course materials on a regular basis.

Show steps

Review lecture notes.
Complete assignments.
Take practice quizzes.

Complete practice exercises on product management frameworks

Show steps

Develop proficiency in using frameworks to analyze product markets and strategies.

Show steps

Find practice questions or exercises online.
Work through the exercises and check your answers.
Identify areas where you need more practice.

Create a product vision document for a hypothetical product

Show steps

Develop a clear understanding of how to define and articulate a compelling product vision.

Show steps

Identify a product idea.
Define the target market.
Describe the product's core features and benefits.
Articulate the product's overall vision and goals.

Two other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all five activities

Contribute to a product management open-source project

Show steps

Gain practical experience and build your portfolio by contributing to real-world product management projects.

Show steps

Find an open-source product management project.
Identify an area where you can contribute.
Make a pull request.

Develop a marketing plan for a real or hypothetical product

Show steps

Gain practical experience in developing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a product.

Browse courses on Marketing Plan

Show steps

Define the target market.
Conduct market research.
Identify marketing channels.
Develop a marketing budget.
Create marketing materials.
Measure and evaluate marketing performance.

Career center

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

Product Manager

Product Managers lead product development from start to finish, from concept and planning to launch, delivery and retirement. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the Product Manager's role and responsibilities, and covers all the essential phases of the product development lifecycle. By completing this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Product Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Chief Product Officer

Chief Product Officers lead product development for companies. They are responsible for setting the product vision and roadmap, and for ensuring that products are developed and delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a good overview of the Chief Product Officer's role and responsibilities, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Product Officer

Product Marketing Manager

Product Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing plans for products and services. They use their knowledge of product marketing principles and practices to create plans that drive awareness and demand. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a good overview of product marketing principles and practices, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Product Marketing Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Marketing Manager

Product Designer

Product Designers work with Product Managers to design and develop new products and features. They use their knowledge of user experience and design principles to create products that are both useful and desirable. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a strong foundation in product design principles and practices, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Product Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Demand Generation Analyst

Demand Generation Analysts develop and execute marketing campaigns to generate leads and sales. They use their knowledge of marketing principles and practices to create campaigns that reach the right audience and drive results. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a good overview of demand generation principles and practices, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Demand Generation Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Demand Generation Analyst

Innovation Manager

Innovation Managers develop and execute strategies to drive innovation for companies. They use their knowledge of innovation principles and practices to create strategies that lead to the development of new products and services. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a good overview of innovation principles and practices, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Innovation Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Manager

Growth Manager

Growth Managers develop and execute strategies to drive revenue and growth for companies. They use their knowledge of growth marketing principles and practices to create strategies that reach the right audience and drive results. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a good overview of growth marketing principles and practices, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Growth Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Growth Manager

UX Researcher

UX Researchers conduct research to understand the needs and behaviors of users. They use their knowledge of UX research principles and practices to design products and services that are user-friendly and intuitive. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a good overview of UX research principles and practices, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a UX Researcher.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Researcher

Market Research Analyst

Market Research Analysts conduct research to understand the market for products and services. They use their knowledge of market research principles and practices to identify opportunities and threats that can be used to inform business decisions. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a good overview of market research principles and practices, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Market Research Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts work with stakeholders to identify and document business requirements. They use their analytical skills to develop solutions that meet the needs of the business. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a good overview of business analysis techniques and practices, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Business Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to help companies make decisions. They use their knowledge of data analysis techniques and practices to identify trends and patterns that can be used to improve business performance. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a good overview of data analysis techniques and practices, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Data Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers plan and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. They use their knowledge of marketing principles and practices to create campaigns that reach the right audience and drive results. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a good overview of marketing principles and practices, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Marketing Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Consultant

Consultants advise companies on business strategy and operations. They use their knowledge of business principles and practices to help companies improve their performance. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a good overview of business principles and practices, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Sales Manager

Sales Managers lead sales teams and develop sales strategies. They use their knowledge of sales principles and practices to create strategies that drive revenue and growth. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a good overview of sales principles and practices, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Sales Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and control projects to deliver successful outcomes. They use their knowledge of project management principles and practices to keep projects on track and within budget. The Product Management: Capstone Project course provides a good overview of project management principles and practices, and can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Project Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager