The corporate world introduces you to several exciting terms and phrases. Unfortunately, memorizing everything has a bit of a learning curve and can take time. With that in mind, here you can learn about data product management.
Most of you probably know what product management is and what the role of a product manager is. For those who do not, a product manager oversees projects in their team. Data product management is the same thing, but it is more specific.
Here you will dive deep into the details of data product management and what it means. However, if you want a quick answer, data product management is the system that helps companies leverage the data they have in design processes.
What is a data product?
So, you know the textbook definition of data product management, but what is a data product? They are products that generate value for the user through data, analytics, machine learning, and other computer science techniques.
For example, a music company could have a project to develop a new type of playlist for users. Another project could be to create a new search engine in an app. Businesses use data from these projects to decide what their following projects could be.
What does a data product manager do?
A data product project cannot start unless you have a data product manager. It is always essential to have a person or team managing any project, and the same is valid for data projects that businesses may encounter.
A data product manager is responsible for ensuring that everything works together and is efficient in the project. The data product manager is usually the first person assigned to the project. They can then give people to the project to ensure a diverse set of skills, viewpoints, and skills working on the project.
Usually, when you work on a data project, the manager tries to bring in front and back-end developers, UI and UX designers, data scientists and engineers, DevOps, and Data Ops.
Finally, a data product manager should listen to team members’ concerns so they know they are heard. The data product manager should relay those concerns to the group to improve the project’s efficiency.
How is a data product manager different from a traditional product manager?
In truth, there are few differences between a data product manager and a traditional product manager. A data product manager should have more expertise to manage the project and with more knowledge and understanding around data.
Additionally, a data product manager must use data-driven insights to make decisions during every project stage. They dive deep into the data to ensure the project reaches the end goal.
Final thoughts
Data product management is the system that helps companies leverage the data they have in design processes. Without proper management, that data would not be able to be used in a way that would benefit the company. As a result, it is crucial to have a good data product manager in place.
