Read Time: 50 minutes

Functions of a PM

Product Design

• Ask interviewer how much time defining specs, how much time working with designers
• PM role in product design varies:
  • At Microsoft, super detailed spec
  • At Apple, design minimally done by PM
• Spec: Detailed functional specification
  • Goals, use cases, security, internalization, wireframes

Implement and Test

• Help engineers work efficiently – find tasks, work with other teams to get work done promptly
• “Dogfooding:” Using your own product yourself
• Usability study: Trying out prototype to see if they can accomplish a goal
• Experiments:
  • Click rate, experimental group has a new feature while control group does not, user retention and engagement
• Prioritization is critical

Release

• Process:
  • Run through launch checklist
  • Make sure teams who will support product going forward are prepared
  • Preparing for the bad

How Product Influences PM

Shipped Software:

• Products such as mobile apps that ship in the Apple App Store, or software that ships on DVDs
• Hard to update after launch