Project management tools for product managers nov 2010
1. Background Material for Roundtable
Discussion
Moderator: Mark Lipowicz, Principal, Linden
Associates
Product Camp NYC Nov 6, 2010
Project Management Tools
for Product Managers
2. Product management and project
management, aren’t they the same thing?
2
Product management focuses on building the right
things – it’s all about delivering a product that serves
a customer’s need
Project management focused on building things right
– it’s all about execution
Products may go on indefinitely, but projects are
temporary activities, they always have a beginning
and an end
In this roundtable – let’s see if we can identify and
explore some of the ways that project tools can help a
product manager execute on getting the right product
built right
Project Management Tools for Product Managers
Product Camp NYC Nov 6, 2010
3. Quick background – project
management methodology
Project Management Tools for Product Managers
Product Camp NYC Nov 6, 20103
Product management has its “lifecycles” and
methodologies, and project management does, too
The methodology of the Project Management Institute
which accredits Project Management Professionals
(PMPs) is called the Project Management Body of
Knowledge (PMBOK, pronounced “PIM-bok”)
According to the PMBOK, there are 5 stages to a
project lifecycle – Initiate, Plan, Execute, Monitor and
Control, and Close
Are product managers involved with each stage?
4. Tool 1. “Develop a project charter”
Project Management Tools for Product Managers
Product Camp NYC Nov 6, 20104
Here are quick descriptions of 5 Project management tools
that product managers can use, starting with….
Tool 1. Develop a project charter (part of “Initiating” a
project)
Professional project managers don’t start a project until
they have a charter that outlines what they are supposed
to build for the project sponsor and that gives them
authority to start spending time and resources
Should product managers always obtain a formal charter?
5. Tool 2: “Define Scope”
Project Management Tools for Product Managers
Product Camp NYC Nov 6, 20105
This is part of the “Planning” phase. Professional
project managers are trained to deliver the
defined scope of work – and no more
A project scope statement includes a description
of what is to be built (the requirements); names
specific deliverables and criteria for acceptance;
identifies what is excluded; and lists constraints
or dependencies
Do product and project managers mean the same
thing when they talk about “scope”?
6. Tool 3: “Plan Communications”
Project Management Tools for Product Managers
Product Camp NYC Nov 6, 20106
Part of the “Planning” phase. Key input is the
“stakeholder register,” knowing who all the
players are and what information they need
Key output is communication plan: What
information, what format, what frequency – trying
to get this right so stakeholders have the
information they need
How much time/energy should product managers
focus on this?
7. Tool 4: “Perform Integrated Change
Control”
Project Management Tools for Product Managers
Product Camp NYC Nov 6, 20107
As the project is being executed, this is part of the
“Monitoring and controlling” phase. Scope,
resources (cost) and time – quality usually isn’t in
play – are the three tradeoffs made to bring a
project home
A “change control board” reviews and either
approves or denies change requests
Do product managers know how and when to
“just say no”?
8. Tool 5: “Close Project”
Project Management Tools for Product Managers
Product Camp NYC Nov 6, 20108
This is part of the “Closing” phase
When the project scope is completed, and
accepted, it’s time to stop! End the project,
release the people. Send a bill
Do product managers know how and when to
stop?
9. Additional suggested discussion
points
Project Management Tools for Product Managers
Product Camp NYC Nov 6, 20109
What kinds of project help do product managers most
need?
How do product management frameworks connect
with projects?
Controlling scope – is this sometimes the one big
thing?
Project managers have 37 other “tools”, plus ethical
standards, software tools like MS Project, and various
reports, to help bring a project home
10. Wrapping it up
10
Thank you for participating!
If you’d like to exchange ideas on Project and
Product Management, you can reach me at:
Mark Lipowicz, PMP
Principal, Linden Associates
516.277.1092
mark.lipowicz@linden3.com
www.linden3.com
Project Management Tools for Product Managers
Product Camp NYC Nov 6, 2010