Program v/s Project v/s Product Managers

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀: own WHY and WHAT for a product

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 M𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀: own WHEN for a 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 project

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 M𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀: own WHEN for a 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘰 of connected projects

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 (𝗣𝗠𝘀):

𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮: Primarily focus on the 𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘺, and 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘱 of an entire (or a part of the) product. They also define success criteria and set goals for their product.

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀: • talk to users, research market, talk to experts • they do the above to identify problems to solve • prioritise the problems based on impact • decide which problems to solve in which order • work with others to create multiple solutions • prioritise the solutions based on impact • decide which solution to create in which order • collaborate with eng. and design on solution design • influence multiple other teams to believe in and support their ideas and plans

𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮: PMs are successful when they create impact for the business and users. Common metrics to measure impact - revenue, no. of users, profit, retention, etc.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 (𝗣𝗷𝗠𝘀):

𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮: Primarily focus on creating the project plan. A project plan (aka delivery plan) details WHO does WHAT and WHEN. PjMs also ensure all task owners are on track, there are not delays and issues.

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 • work with PMs and eng to identify interdependencies • create realistic task deliverables and timelines • keep everyone on track • measure progress • highlight and escalate if teams are off track • identify risks, create mitigation plans • act as central point of progress, issues, deadlines for all teams involved

𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮: on time delivery of projects without any issues

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 (𝗣𝗴𝗠𝘀)

𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮: similar to project managers but for a portfolio of interconnected projects. PgMs also primarily own the delivery of projects, but they ensure that projects are meeting larger team/org goals.

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀: same as PjMs but for multiple projects

𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮: same as PjMs but across multiple projects. With the added pressure of meeting relevant business goals.