How Do Product Management Differ From Project Management?

by Hanarry Anderson Job Consultant

– In this video, Rich Headley presents a rich insight into how do Project Management differs from Product Management. The video explains major differences between the two such as Product Manager uses the available resources while a Project Manager makes them available for successful project completion.

Product Manager and Project Manager

You are all set to venture into the field of Management but one question that must be bothering you is Product Management vs Project Management. You are not alone as many potential candidates get confused between the roles played in a firm by a Product Manager and Project Manager.

Product Management implies a process during which it is made sure that the resources present, including the people, are used at a predictable pace towards the said goal. Moreover, Product Management includes making sure that the deal is executed well while making the important decisions at the beginning, along the way, and after the final release of the product.

Taking the example of Cornerstone One-Demand, the firm where Rich Headley plays the role of a senior Product, the learning team is divided into several parts and teams consisting of a Project Manager, engineers, QA testing professionals, etc. These can be classified as different talents contributing to the project. However, there are only a couple of Project Managers who are shared across all these parts.

The reason is that there is no requirement for one Project Manager for each team. The reason is that a Product Manager fulfills many of the Project Management responsibilities, especially when it comes to an individual feature or an individual project. In fact, a Product Manager is responsible that the project gets restart in time.

The Project Manager, on the other hand, helps to make sure that the right resources are available and also to make sure that all the process guidelines laid by the company are being followed correctly. Thus, though the two roles may seem to be similar, they are actually different in many aspects. However, they both are crucial for a firm’s success.

Potential candidates, however, need to understand the main difference between Project Management and Product Management to make it a success. Then only, would they be able to contribute entirely to the project’s goals?

It is imperative to understand the complete facts when it comes to Product Management Versus Project Management. Though, both the terms seem to be similar, but there is a basic difference between the two roles. When on one hand, a Product Manager needs to make sure that the available resources in a project are used effectively, a Project Manager, needs to make sure that the correct resources are available for the completion of the project.

A Product Manager can actually fulfill many of the responsibilities accrued to a Project Manager. Thus, whereas you need one Product Manager for each team, there is no need for an individual Project Manager for each project.