Product Owner vs. Product Manager

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Many people often use the terms “Product Owner” and “Product Manager” interchangeably. Are you confused about the roles of a Product Owner and a Product Manager? Do you find it challenging to understand who does what in a product development team? Both the product manager and product owners are two distinct roles that play crucial parts in creating successful products. Understanding their differences can help you build better products and more efficient workflows.

As a product development team member or someone interested in building successful products and executing on the product roadmap, you likely want to optimize the development process and ensure your product is successful. Knowing each position’s specific roles and responsibilities will help you achieve that goal. Read this article to learn about the differences between a Product Owner and a Product Manager and understand the unique responsibilities they each bring to the table. 

What does a Product Manager do?

Product managers are responsible for directing the development of a company’s products or features and serving as the interface between the company’s design, business, and technology teams. They are in charge of leading projects spanning many functional areas and managing activities, tools, and relationships throughout the product development process, from product planning to launching and beyond. If you want to learn more about tools used by product managers, please refer to the curated list of Product management tools.

Training and Certifications

Formal programs that teach and certify product managers are called training and certification. Product manager training often covers market research, product development, positioning, marketing, and launch tactics. 

Product management certifications validate a candidate’s knowledge and skills. Professional groups or institutions provide certification programs that require candidates to pass an exam or fulfill a set of criteria to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

Training#1: Product School

Overview

Product Management Certificate Program, offered by the University of California, Berkeley. The program is designed for experienced product managers and includes courses on product strategy, marketing, design, development, and leadership. 

Highlights
  • Comprehensive Curriculum: Product School offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers all the essential aspects of product management, including ideation, user research, design, development, and launch. This ensures that graduates are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the field.

  • Experienced Instructors: The instructors at Product School are experienced product managers who have worked at top companies such as Google, Facebook, and Uber. They bring their real-world experience to the classroom, providing students with valuable insights and practical advice.

  • Networking Opportunities: Product School provides students with ample networking opportunities, such as industry events and alumni groups. This helps them to build relationships with other product managers and potentially find job opportunities.

  • Career Support: Product School provides career support to its graduates, including access to job boards, resume reviews, and interview preparation. This ensures that graduates have the best possible chance of landing their dream job.

  • Flexibility: Product School offers a range of training options, including in-person, online, and on-demand courses. This provides students with flexibility in terms of when and how they want to learn.

Price

The average cost of attending Product School is $4,199.

Training#2: Product Management A-Z

Overview

The “Training of Product Management A-Z of Product Manager” course on Udemy provides a comprehensive overview of the product management role and its responsibilities. The course covers product strategy, market research, product development, launch, and post-launch analysis. By the end of the course, learners should have a strong understanding of the product management process and be able to manage and launch successful products effectively.

Highlights
  • Comprehensive Understanding of Product Management: The Product Management A-Z course provides a complete overview of product management, including market research, development, and launch.

  • Hands-On Training: The course includes practical exercises, real-world examples, and case studies, providing hands-on training to aspiring product managers.

  • Improved Decision Making: The course covers various techniques for analyzing data and market trends, enabling product managers to make informed product development and marketing decisions.

  • Career Advancement: The course covers the core skills required to excel in product management, making it an excellent resource for career advancement in the field.

  • Accessible Learning: The course is available online and can be accessed at any time, making it convenient for busy professionals looking to learn at their own pace.

Price

Udemy courses are priced between $20 to $200, but some courses can cost more than that, especially those that are longer or more specialized. Udemy also frequently offers discounts and promotions that can significantly reduce course prices. Choose your plan for different courses.

Training#3: Product Management Fundamentals

Overview

Skillshare offers a course on product management fundamentals for aspiring and practicing product managers. The course covers topics such as product strategy, user research, product roadmaps, agile development, and product launch. Through lectures, case studies, and assignments, participants will learn how to develop and manage successful products. The course is suitable for anyone looking to improve their product management skills, whether they are new to the field or have some experience already.

Highlights
  • Improved Product Strategy: Training in product management fundamentals will help product managers understand how to create a comprehensive product strategy that aligns with business objectives and customer needs.

  • Enhanced Customer Focus: By learning customer research and analysis, product managers can create products that cater to the needs of the target market, which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

  • Better Decision-Making: Product managers who undergo training in product management fundamentals are equipped with the skills needed to make informed decisions based on data, research, and analysis.

  • Effective Communication: Effective communication is critical to product management success. Training can teach product managers how to communicate effectively with stakeholders, team members, and customers.

  • Improved Cross-Functional Collaboration: Product management requires collaboration across different departments. Training can teach product managers how to effectively work with cross-functional teams to ensure successful product development.

Price

The Skillshare pricing plan for product manager training is $49 per month. This gives you access to all of the course material, as well as the ability to ask questions and get feedback from the instructor.

Certification#1: Product School

Overview

Product School offers a certification program for aspiring and experienced product managers to enhance their skills and knowledge. The certification is earned through the completion of an 8-week part-time course that covers key topics such as product strategy, user research, and agile methodologies. The certification is recognized by industry leaders and can help individuals advance their careers in product management.

Highlights
  • Practical Skills: The Product School certification program provides practical skills that are highly relevant to the day-to-day work of a product manager, such as market research, user testing, and product development.

  • Career Advancement: The certification program provides students with a competitive advantage when applying for product management roles, helping them stand out in a crowded job market.

  • Recognition: The Product School certification program is widely recognized by leading companies in the tech industry, giving students the credibility they need to succeed in the field.

  • Lifetime Access: Students who complete the certification program have lifetime access to the Product School community and resources, allowing them to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in product management.

Price

Certification#2: Product Management A-Z

Overview

The “Certification of Product Management A-Z of Product Manager” course on Udemy provides a comprehensive overview of the skills, tools, and techniques required for successful product management.  Participants will gain practical insights and best practices from industry experts and will have the opportunity to earn a certification upon completion of the course.

Highlights
  • Comprehensive knowledge: Gain a thorough understanding of product management concepts, tools, techniques, and frameworks.

  • Real-world skills: Learn practical skills that can be applied in real-world situations.

  • Industry-recognized: The certificate is recognized by the industry, increasing your credibility and marketability.

  • Continuous learning: The certificate is a stepping stone to continuous learning and professional development in product management.

Price

Udemy offers various pricing options for the “Product Management A-Z: Become a Product Manager” certification course. Choose your plan with your specific need.

Certification#3: Product Management Fundamentals

Overview

Skillshare offers a certification course on Product Management Fundamentals for aspiring or current product managers. The course covers topics such as market research, product strategy, design thinking, and product launch. By completing the course and passing a final exam, participants can earn a Skillshare certificate to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in product management.

Highlights
  • Skill Development: The certification program provides in-depth training on essential product management skills, such as market analysis, product strategy, and customer research. Participants can enhance their knowledge and develop practical skills to excel in their roles.

  • Credibility: Certification from a reputable institution like Skillshare adds credibility to the product manager’s profile. It demonstrates that the candidate has acquired the necessary knowledge and skills to perform product management roles effectively.

  • Keeping up with Industry Trends: Skillshare’s product management certification program is updated regularly to reflect the latest industry trends, tools, and techniques. This ensures that candidates stay up-to-date with the latest practices and remain relevant in a rapidly changing industry.

  • Career Advancement: A product management certification from Skillshare can enhance the candidate’s career prospects, as it is recognized by many employers as a valuable asset. It can open doors to new opportunities and higher salaries.

Price

The price of the product management certificate from Skillshare is $49.

What does a Product Owner do?

The key tasks of a product owner are the creation of a product backlog as well as the definition of user stories. They operate as the principal point of contact for the client on behalf of the development team, communicating the needs and expectations of the customer regarding the product. This product backlog serves as a ranked list of client requests for future development.

Training and Certifications

Product Owner training and certification include teaching and certifying those who manage product development, prioritize needs, and maximize product value for consumers and stakeholders. This assists professionals in becoming proficient in their job, enhancing their product development abilities, and earning acknowledgment for their Agile and Scrum experience.

Training#1: Product Management Certificate Program by UC Berkeley Executive Education

Overview

This program is designed for professionals who want to develop their skills in product management. The course is offered in two formats, a five-day intensive program, and a nine-week online program. 

Highlights
  • Develop a product strategy that meets customer needs and achieves business goals

  • Define product requirements and develop detailed product specifications

  • Create product roadmaps and release plans that align with business strategy

  • Manage product development from idea to launch, including agile product delivery methods

  • Gain the skills to effectively lead and manage a product team

Price

The cost of the program is approximately $7,000.

Training#2: The Complete Product Management Course by Charles Du

Overview

This course covers the fundamentals of product management, including product strategy, customer research, and product development. The course has over 12 hours of video content and includes quizzes and exercises to reinforce learning. 

Highlights

You will learn how to:

  • Come up with product ideas that customers will love

  • Validate your product ideas with real customers 

  • Create a product roadmap that will guide your product development

  • Manage your product development process and deploy your product successfully

  • Measure and optimize your product’s performance

Price

The cost of the course is around $200, but Udemy often has sales where courses are discounted.

Training#3: Product Management Fundamentals by Cole Mercer

Overview

This course covers the basics of product management, including market research, user personas, and product roadmaps. The course is designed for beginners and includes over 30 video lessons. 

Highlights
  • Product management is the process of developing, bringing to market, and managing a product or service.

  • It involves managing the entire product life cycle from ideation, development, launch, and post-launch activities.

  • A product manager is responsible for the success of a product or service and needs to have a good understanding of all aspects of the business, including marketing, sales, engineering, design, and customer support.

  • A product manager needs to be able to articulate the vision for a product or service and then work with cross-functional teams to bring it to market successfully.

  • Product management skills are essential for anyone looking to launch a new product or service or take on a leadership role in an organization.

Price

Skillshare offers a free trial, after which the cost is $15/month or $99/year for access to all courses.

Certification#1: Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) from Scrum Alliance

Overview

This certification program provides a comprehensive understanding of the Product Owner’s role in the Scrum framework.

Highlights
  • The CSPO certification from Scrum Alliance is globally recognized and respected.

  • The CSPO certification allows you to demonstrate your commitment to Scrum and your dedication to continuous learning.

  • The CSPO certification gives you an edge in the job market and can help you command higher salaries.

  • The CSPO certification helps you build credibility with potential employers and clients.

  • The CSPO certification can help you advance your career by opening up new opportunities and networking connections.

Price

The cost of the program is generally over $2,000.

Certification#2: Agile Product Owner from Udemy

Overview

This certification program offered by Udemy covers the Agile Product Owner role and how to work effectively with Agile teams. 

Highlights
  • The Agile Product Owner course from Udemy teaches you how to efficiently manage product backlogs and prioritize features to ensure that the development team is always working on the most important tasks.

  • You will learn how to effectively communicate with stakeholders to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the product meets their needs.

  • The course provides a comprehensive overview of agile product management principles and practices, so you can apply them in your own work.

  • You will gain a deep understanding of how to use agile methods to deliver high-quality products that meet customer expectations.

  • The Agile Product Owner course from Udemy is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about agile product management or improve their existing skills.

Price

The cost of this course varies, but Udemy often has sales and discounts.

Certification#3: Agile Product Management: Becoming a Product Owner

Overview

This certification program offered by Skillshare covers the fundamentals of product management and the Product Owner role. 

Highlights
  • The ability to prioritize and manage a product backlog effectively

  • The ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders about the product

  • A deep understanding of the agile development process and how it can be used to build better products

  • The ability to make decisions quickly in order to respond to changes in the product or market 

  • The ability to track and measure progress against objectives to ensure the product is on track

Price

Skillshare is a subscription-based platform that costs $167.88 annually, so access to this course (and others) requires a monthly or annual membership fee.

Differences Between a Product Owner and a Product Manager

Product ownership and product management are two important roles in product development. Although they share some similarities, they are distinct roles with different responsibilities. Here are the top 5 differences between a product owner and a product manager:

#1: Focus

The product owner focuses on maximizing the value of the product and ensuring that it meets the needs of the stakeholders, particularly the users. The product owner is responsible for defining and prioritizing the product backlog and ensuring that the team delivers a working product that meets the user’s needs.

On the other hand, the product manager is responsible for the overall success of the product. They focus on the big picture, such as the product strategy, vision, and roadmap. They work with the product owner to ensure that the product aligns with the company’s goals and objectives.

#2: Product owner responsibilities, Product manager responsibilities

The product owner is responsible for the product backlog, which includes defining the product features, prioritizing them, and ensuring that the team understands what needs to be built. They are also responsible for accepting or rejecting the work that the team completes.

The product manager, on the other hand, is responsible for the product strategy, roadmap, and vision. They work with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and engineering, to ensure that the product aligns with the company’s goals and objectives.

#3: Scope

The product owner’s scope is typically limited to a single product or product line. They work closely with the development team to ensure that the product is developed as per the requirements and that the development team delivers a working product that meets the user’s needs.

The product manager has a broader scope, as they are responsible for the overall success of the product. They work with cross-functional teams to ensure that the product aligns with the company’s goals and objectives.

#4: Accountability

The product owner is accountable for the success of the product. They work closely with the development team to ensure that the product meets the user’s needs and that the team delivers a working product that meets the acceptance criteria.

The product manager is accountable for the overall success of the product. They work with cross-functional teams to ensure that the product aligns with the company’s goals and objectives.

#5: Skillset

The product owner requires strong communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills. They need to have a deep understanding of the user’s needs and be able to prioritize the product backlog based on the user’s needs.

The product manager requires strong leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills. They need to have a deep understanding of the market, the competition, and the industry trends. They also need to be able to communicate the product vision to the stakeholders and inspire the scrum team to work towards achieving the vision.

Collaboration and Communication Between Product Owner and Product Manager

Effective communication and collaboration between a Product Owner and a Product Manager are crucial for the success of any product development project. Both roles are responsible for different aspects of the product development process, and their collaboration is essential to ensure that the product meets the needs of the customers and the business objectives.

One important aspect of communication and collaboration between the Product Owner and the Product Manager is ensuring that they have a clear and shared understanding of the product vision and goals. They should work together to define the product roadmap, prioritize features and requirements, and make decisions based on data and feedback from customers and stakeholders.

Another key aspect is the regular exchange of information and updates about the project. The Product Owner and the Product Manager should have regular meetings to discuss the progress of the project, identify any issues or risks, and make adjustments to the project plan as needed. This helps to ensure that everyone is aligned and working towards the same goals.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, both a product owner and a Product Manager are critical for the success metrics of a product. While the Product Owner focuses on maximizing the value of the product and ensuring that it meets the needs of the customers, the Product Manager is responsible for the overall strategy and roadmap of the product

Both, product owner vs product manager plays an important role and complement each other in achieving the common goal of creating a successful and marketable product. A strong collaboration between the Product Owner and Product Manager is crucial to ensure that the product lifecycle meets both the customer needs and business value. If you want to learn how to become product manager, please refer to the guide here.

Table of Contents

Milan Dolansky is a product management expert with 15+ years of experience. He has developed, and managed products used by millions of customers worldwide and has a background in fintech and banking. Milan also shares his insights on product management and AI as a blogger. His blog covers the latest trends and best practices in the field in simple and understandable language. His expertise in the industry has made him a sought-after commentator on topics such as digital transformation and product innovation. Both his career and blogging have allowed him to bring a unique perspective to the industry.

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