What Are Product Managers Really For? - A Meetup Group Relaunch

If you are passionate about Product Management and would love to share your ideas and experiences with other Product Managers and others interested in Product Management, we’d love to see you!

In this first meeting we will use the topic below as a starting point to focus on what aspects of Product Management are beneficial to this Meetup group. Come join us and help shape our future.

Main Topic: What Are Product Mangers Really For?
Consider the following...
What is the #1 Focus for Product Managers:
Right now, product managers need to focus on being leaders of innovation. It’s important to cut through the noise of rules and AI models. They should prioritize customer-focused innovation. Consistent revenue is important, but it shouldn’t replace the pursuit of groundbreaking solutions.

What’s Working Well:
Today, successful product managers are highly valued. They innovate, adapt to changes, and connect different teams. They turn ideas into real products and plan from start to finish. They understand customer needs and market trends. Many agree that product management is not just about keeping schedules but about driving innovation and meeting market needs.

Challenges & Disagreements:
There is debate on what product management should focus on. Some say it’s becoming too focused on project management tasks and less on creativity. The many new methods and tools can slow things down. There’s tension between the traditional creative approach and the newer metrics-driven, AI-supported strategy, which some think may reduce real product development.

Industry Pressure Points:

1. Confusion between product and project management, which affects strategic focus.
2. Too much emphasis on process and methodology over genuine creativity.
3. Concerns that AI might change traditional product management roles.

Agenda:
6:00pm - 6:30pm Doors Open, Pizza, and Networking
6:30pm - 8:00pm Discussion and Working Session
8:00pm - 8:30pm Wrap and Next Steps for Group