Product management is a key business function that involves overseeing a product’s life cycle from inception to delivery. The concept originated from a 1931 memo by Procter & Gamble President Neil H. McElroy, who proposed the role of ‘Brand[1] Men’ tasked with managing various aspects of a product such as packaging, positioning, and sales[2]. Today, the role has evolved to include analyzing product distribution, optimizing strategies, and collaborating with managers. Product managers are pivotal in driving company growth by managing the company’s product line on a daily basis, defining product strategy, documenting requirements, and aligning with various departments. Their duties may vary depending on the company’s size, industry, and history. They are evaluated based on income statement responsibility, with a focus on driving revenue and growth.
Product management is the business process of planning, developing, launching, and managing a product or service. It includes the entire lifecycle of a product, from ideation to development to go to market. Product managers are responsible for ensuring that a product meets the needs of its target market and contributes to the business strategy, while managing a product or products at all stages of the product lifecycle. Software product management adapts the fundamentals of product management for digital products.