I Manage Products blog
& PRODUCTHEAD newsletter

Generative AI, large language models, agentic AI (and whatever comes next) each has its own strengths and weaknesses. What they’re not is a panacea or a magic bullet. New technology is not going to suddenly make all the challenges facing an organisation disappear overnight. Why? Because more often than not, those challenges are social not technological. Technology alone rarely solves ‘people problems’.

» Switching to a product-led sales movement should not be a hard pivot but a blended transition » The product must demonstrate its own value regardless of whether sales people are involved » Intent adds nuance to the classic “strategic, execution, and planning” cascade

» Conflict in product management is unavoidable » Some conflict is actually desirable and healthy » You can learn to assess and manage conflicts more constructively

» The negative effects of social media algorithms were an early warning for the consequences of generative AI » As product managers, we have a duty of care to our users » The unpredictability of genAI poses varying risks of harm to users depending on the context

» Comprehensive introductory training on large language models (LLMs) » Nonverbal communication can make assistive robots more effective » Practical suggestions to foster greater alignment between product and go-to-market teams

» Empowered teams don’t work without alignment » Transparency is a precursor for alignment and trust » A clear area of focus is needed to make OKRs effective

» With ROI, development estimates may be optimistic; revenue estimates are often more so » Your organisation has an operating system — the way it works — even if it’s not consciously designed

» Achieving ambitious goals takes years of slog and perseverance — there’s no fast-forward button » Successful companies such as IKEA use time as a strategic advantage » There’s no single ‘right’ strategy — what matters more is choosing a good one and sticking with it long-term

» Define in an operating model team sizes, roles, and responsibilities » Reduce single points of failure and promote shared accountability » Establish a shared language around team and domain evolution » Stay firm on the chosen operating model and evaluate it within a specific timeframe

» In time our use of genAI will balance out with the human touch » Learn what genAI can and can’t do, and how far it can be trusted » LLMs will most likely take over the routine writing that holds organisations together

» Highlights from 2024’s guests on Melissa Perri’s podcast » Office politics isn’t always distasteful » Applying common sense can by stymied by the organisational culture » User research is a discipline — it requires trained practitioners

» Most read edition: ‘Showing your value’ — why to focus on high impact work » Edition with most clicks: ‘Enough handwringing already’ — let’s not write ourselves off as a profession quite yet » Most clicked article: ‘AI discovers that not every fingerprint is unique’ — upending a long-held belief in forensics