Product management is a critical role in the development and success of any product, and it requires a unique set of skills and habits. To excel in this role, product managers need to be able to effectively lead their teams, make informed decisions, and deliver a successful product.

These mentioned habits below work together to ensure that the product development process runs smoothly and that the final product meets the needs of all stakeholders.

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I myself can be considered not perfect and writing this post doesn't mean that I’m super effective. Some of you might be, but chances are if you’re reading this it means we’re on the same boat, looking for ways how to become really effective and create a significant impact.

I wrote this to have a guide for myself as well as share with you my research on how you can be really effective. So without further ado here are the habits of highly effective mobile PMs.

Habits

1. Ruthless in Prioritization

The ability to identify and focus on the most important problem and tasks is essential to delivering a polished and effective product to users. This allows you to focus on the most important features and tasks that will have the greatest impact on the user experience. By focusing on the most important problem, you can avoid adding unnecessary features or functionality that may detract from the overall user experience.

Ways to build this habit

• Clearly define the goals and objectives of the product. This will help you to identify the most important features and tasks that need to be prioritized.

• “Fall in love with the problem, not the solution” Ever heard this quote? If you never lose sight of the problem, whatever solution you implement can be flexible as long as it solves the problem.

• Learn to say “NO!”. This will help to prevent scope creep and ensure that your team is focused on the most important tasks.

• Create a “Follow Up” list (I actually use this) or a “Waiting For” list. This list basically means the action is not yours to do but you still need to know about it. In this way, you can avoid losing open threads. I’ve done this and I really recommend this one it’s very effective in my experience.

2. Spending time with customers

Spending time with customers allows you to understand their needs and pain points, gather feedback on your products, and make informed decisions about product development. Being in touch with your customers allows you to discover new opportunities, identify new needs, and understand how the product is being used in the real world.

Ways to build this habit

• Schedule regular customer check-ins: Set aside specific times during the week to meet with or talk to your customers.

• Build a 1:1 relationship with some of your larger customers.

• Make customer feedback a priority. Actively seek out and incorporate customer feedback into product development.

Additional reading about this habit:

Mobile Product Management

Collecting User Feedback for your Mobile App

Collecting user feedback is a crucial task when managing a mobile app. In this week’s newsletter, I will share how you can collect user feedback and how you can do it in order to make your mobile app thrive…

Read more

3 months ago · 1 like · Rommel Azucena

3. Spending time with your product

This allows you to gain a deep understanding of the user experience and identify areas for improvement. By regularly interacting with the product, PMs can identify bugs and usability issues. And of course, that’s your freaking job in the first place to manage the product duh! But sadly I heard that some PMs are not spending enough time with their product. Don’t be that guy. Spend time with your product and know it as you own it.

Ways to build this habit

• Get your hands dirty! Make time to use your product. Use it regularly just that simple!

• When a new update has been pushed by your engineers always be the first to try it out.

• Don’t forget to monitor usage metrics and analytics to understand how your users are using your products.

4. Always doing Product Discovery

Product discovery is a very important and must-do for all PMs because it allows them to create products that meet the needs and wants of their target customers. For example, a mobile product manager for a travel app, by conducting user research and gathering feedback from target users, can identify that users want a more efficient way to compare prices and book flights and hotels. This information can be used to develop new features for the app such as integrated flight and hotel search, and price comparison, which will make the app more desirable and valuable to users.

Ways to build this habit

• Set aside dedicated time for product discovery. Time-block that calendar!

• Encourage experimentation culture in your team, to be curious and open to new ideas.

• Continuously evaluate the product, its features, and its performance in the market, to identify areas for improvement and opportunities for growth.

5. Focusing on outcomes instead of outputs

Focusing on outcomes instead of outputs is very important for all PMs because this allows you to create products that deliver real value to your customers and meet their needs and wants.

An example scenario for a mobile product manager is developing a mobile app for a fitness and wellness company. The product manager's initial focus is on outputs, such as adding new features like personalized workout plans and tracking progress. However, by shifting the focus to outcomes, the product manager realizes that the customers are more interested in achieving their fitness and wellness goals, such as losing weight and gaining muscle. By focusing on these outcomes, the product manager can design an app that provides a personalized, goal-oriented experience that helps customers achieve their desired outcomes. This will increase customer satisfaction and lead to a more successful app.

Ways to build this habit

• Be outcome-focused in all communication, including presentations, meetings, and reports, by highlighting the value and benefits for the customer.

• Create a customer journey map: create a map that represents the stages and touchpoints of the customer journey, and use it as a guide to understanding the outcome that the customer expects.

• Make the customer the primary focus. Always keep the customer's needs and wants in mind when making decisions about the product.

6. Communicating clearly

Communicating clearly is important as it ensures that the vision and goals for the app are accurately translated into the final product. For example, if a product manager doesn't clearly communicate their desired features for the app, the development team may create something that doesn't meet the manager's expectations. We don’t want that of course!

Ways to build this habit

• Use visual aids such as wireframes and mockups to clearly communicate design and user flow.

• Use specific language: Be specific and use concrete language when communicating with the development team. Avoid ambiguous or abstract language that could be interpreted in multiple ways.

• Regularly review progress: Schedule regular check-ins with the development team to review progress and provide feedback.

7. Looking for blockers to unblock

This habit ensures that the development process is not hindered by unforeseen issues, allowing the product to be delivered on time. For example, if a product manager identifies a dependency on a third-party API early on and works to unblock it, the development team can continue to make progress without delays.

Ways to build this habit

• Stay organized: Keep track of tasks, dependencies, and timelines to identify potential roadblocks early on.

• Prioritize unblocking roadblocks that are most critical to the development process.

• Be proactive in identifying and unblocking roadblocks before they become major issues.

8. Constantly communicating the WHY

Constantly communicating the "why" is important in product development as it helps the development team understand the purpose and goals of the product, allowing them to make informed decisions and create a product that aligns with the product’s vision. For example, if a product manager clearly communicates the "why" behind a new feature, the development team can better understand how to implement it in a way that meets the intended purpose. Really effective and powerful.

Ways to build this habit

• Use storytelling to communicate the "why" behind a feature or design decision, making it more relatable and easier to understand.

• Encourage your team to ask questions about the product's purpose and objectives, and take the time to answer them fully.

• Be consistent in communicating the "why" to ensure that the team stays aligned with the product's purpose and objectives.

9. Making sure everyone has a chance to be heard

This habit allows for diverse perspectives to be considered, leading to a more well-rounded and successful product. If a PM actively encourages input from the development team, designers, and end-users, they can ensure that the final product takes into account the needs and preferences of all stakeholders.

Ways to build this habit

• Encourage open communication among the team, and be open to feedback and suggestions.

• Use brainstorming sessions to gather ideas from the team and encourage participation from all members.

• Hold regular meetings where all team members can provide updates and share their thoughts on the product.

10. Making time for thinking time

Making time for thinking time is important and very powerful as it allows the PMs to step back, reflect and come up with creative solutions for problems that may arise during the development process. If a PM takes time to think through a difficult design problem, they may come up with a unique solution that improves the user experience and sets the product apart from competitors.

At first, you might be thinking that you’re only wasting time but to counter this thought in your head think of it like you’re investing your time so that you can have more time in the future because you created a great plan that saves you a lot of time on your thinking time. Ok, that’s a lot of time let’s move one 😅.

Ways to build this habit

• Schedule dedicated time each day or week for thinking time. Time-block your calendar!

• Reflect on past experiences and learn from them to improve the development process.

• Seek solitude and a quiet environment to facilitate deep thinking and reflection or use travel time for thinking, such as on a commute or during a flight.

11. Learning continuously

Learning continuously is important for PMs because it allows them to stay up-to-date with new technologies, design trends, and user preferences, which can inform their product development decisions.

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

- Dr. Seuss

Ways to build this habit

• Always make time for learning

• Join industry groups and stay connected with other professionals in the field.

• Read widely in the industry and stay informed about new technologies, design trends, and user preferences.

• Attend conferences and workshops to learn from experts in the field.

12. Keeping up with the industry trends

Keeping up with industry trends is important for PMs because it allows them to create products that are relevant and competitive in the marketplace. For example, understanding the latest trends in mobile design can help a PM create an app that has a more modern and user-friendly interface, making it more likely to be successful.

Ways to build this habit

• Subscribe to newsletters such as this 😉. And use Twitter and LinkedIn very valuable and follow specific accounts only to consume the right content for you. You can follow me on Twitter as well to receive some short content and updates like this 🙂.

• Set up alerts for industry-specific news and updates to stay informed.

• Participate in online communities such as forums or discussion groups to stay updated on industry trends.

BONUS: Giving credits and bringing good vibes to the team

Your success as a PM is measured primarily by the success of your team. Recognizing and appreciating the hard work and contributions of team members creates a positive and motivated work environment, which in turn leads to better performance and more successful products.

Conclusion

The habits of a highly effective product manager can be compared to the gears of a machine. Each habit, such as communicating clearly and looking for blockers to unblock, works together in harmony to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the product development process. Just as a machine with well-oiled gears runs smoothly, a product manager with strong habits will be able to lead their team effectively and deliver a successful product.

From clearly communicating goals and objectives to keeping up with industry trends, these habits work together to create a cohesive and efficient development process. By actively cultivating these habits, product managers can lead their teams effectively and deliver a successful product that meets the needs of all stakeholders.

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Until next week, Thank you for reading, and have a great week!