[우아한형제들] 개발자가 생각하는 좋은 PM 나쁜 PM

Summary

The speaker from '우아한 형제들' (Elegant Brothers), Kim Yang-il, discusses the qualities of a good Product Manager (PM) from a developer's perspective. He emphasizes three key attributes: the PM's ability to motivate, deeply understand policies, and comprehend development systems. Kim shares anecdotes about good and bad PMs, stressing the importance of involving developers in decision-making processes and treating them as integral to the project's success. He concludes by highlighting the magic word '고민이 있어요' ('I have a concern') that can significantly influence a developer's engagement and productivity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of a good Product Manager (PM) in a project's success, highlighting that they often make the difference between a good and bad project experience.
• 🤔 The speaker suggests that a good PM should be able to motivate developers by making them feel that their work is meaningful and part of a larger goal, rather than just assigning tasks.
• 💡 It's mentioned that a good PM should deeply understand the policies and systems they are working with, which allows them to make better decisions and communicate effectively with developers.
• 🗣️ The speaker stresses the importance of clear and persistent communication from PMs, explaining why certain tasks are necessary from a business and customer value perspective.
• 🔄 The script talks about the value of feedback cycles, where PMs should create an environment where developers feel their input is valued and considered part of the project's direction.
• 🤝 The speaker highlights the significance of trust and human connection in the relationship between PMs and developers, suggesting that this can lead to better collaboration and project outcomes.
• 🛠️ The speaker points out that PMs should understand the basics of the development process and systems to effectively communicate with developers and appreciate the challenges they face.
• 📈 The script suggests that good PMs are those who can think strategically about the project's goals and how policy and system changes can impact the overall business value.
• 📝 The speaker argues that PMs should involve developers in planning and decision-making processes, such as setting priorities and timelines, to ensure they feel ownership and investment in the project's success.
• 🏆 Lastly, the speaker concludes that a good PM is someone who can inspire, understand the bigger picture, and work closely with developers to create a successful project.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the presentation given by Kim Yang?

The main theme of the presentation is about what a good Product Manager (PM) looks like from a developer's perspective, focusing on the qualities that make a PM effective and appreciated by developers.

What does Kim Yang suggest as the three key qualities of a good PM?

Kim Yang suggests that a good PM should be able to motivate developers, deeply understand policies, and have at least a basic understanding of the development systems.

How does Kim Yang describe the role of a PM in motivating developers?

Kim Yang describes the role of a PM in motivating developers as crucial, as PMs often assign tasks to developers. A good PM should create opportunities that spur developers to strive towards achieving goals, thereby maximizing their capabilities.

What is an example of a bad PM behavior according to Kim Yang?

An example of a bad PM behavior is when a PM overthinks and overprepares tasks, making them their own responsibility instead of the developer's, which can lead to developers feeling demotivated as they are not given the chance to engage with the problem-solving process.

What does Kim Yang emphasize about involving developers in the decision-making process?

Kim Yang emphasizes that involving developers in the decision-making process, such as discussing priorities and schedules together, makes them feel more engaged and invested in the project, leading to better outcomes.

How does Kim Yang view the importance of a PM understanding the company's policies?

Kim Yang views the understanding of company policies by a PM as very important because it affects how well a PM can guide the development process and align it with the company's goals and values.

What does Kim Yang suggest about the level of technical understanding a PM should have?

Kim Yang suggests that while a PM does not need to be an expert in development, having a basic understanding of the development systems and being able to communicate effectively about technical aspects is beneficial.

How does Kim Yang relate the concept of '고민' (concern/trouble) to the role of a PM?

Kim Yang relates '고민' to the role of a PM by stating that a good PM should be able to express concerns and seek solutions, which in turn can motivate developers to engage with the problem-solving process and feel recognized for their efforts.

What is the 'magic word' that Kim Yang mentions can influence developers according to their nature?

The 'magic word' Kim Yang mentions is '고민이 있어요' ('I have a concern'), which, when used by a PM, can resonate with developers' innate problem-solving nature and motivate them to take action.

How does Kim Yang feel about the importance of human connection in the role of a PM?

Kim Yang emphasizes the importance of human connection in the role of a PM, stating that trust and a personal relationship can break down communication barriers and lead to more effective collaboration between planners, developers, and other team members.