Config 2024: Hard truths about the future of product management (Claire Vo, CPO, LaunchDarkly)

Summary

In this talk, the speaker discusses the evolving role of product managers, emphasizing the importance of increasing both velocity and ambition. They highlight the transition from focusing solely on small tasks to embracing larger, more ambitious projects. By balancing both, product managers can continuously improve and scale their impact. The speaker encourages PMs to say 'yes' to new challenges, fostering the development of skills to execute big ideas while maintaining day-to-day operations. The ultimate message is about creating meaningful, innovative products and achieving sustained success by consistently pushing boundaries.

Takeaways

• 😀 The future of product management involves increasingly individualistic, super ICs who take ownership of both small and large projects.
• 🚀 Product teams should initially focus on executing small tasks quickly and efficiently, building momentum before tackling larger projects.
• ⚡ The key to scaling product management success is the compounding effect of velocity and ambition, where small wins fuel the confidence to take on bigger challenges.
• 💡 As teams get better at delivering smaller tasks, they should build the capacity to tackle bigger and more complex projects more frequently.
• 💪 Saying yes to more projects, rather than focusing on rejecting them, helps unlock more innovative solutions and faster growth.
• 🎯 Emphasizing execution and getting comfortable with doing both small and large things leads to greater productivity and innovation.
• 📅 Once a team has mastered smaller projects, they should aim to execute larger ones every quarter or even every month to maintain continuous growth.
• 🏆 The ultimate goal is to make a meaningful impact by constantly pushing boundaries and manifesting ideas into tangible products that didn't exist before.
• 🤝 Collaboration is key: product managers should foster an environment where saying yes to new initiatives and ideas becomes a shared team value.
• 🔑 Developing the mindset to handle multiple initiatives at once—both optimization tasks and large projects—becomes essential for long-term success.

Q & A

What is the core idea the speaker is conveying in the transcript?

The core idea is about balancing velocity and ambition in product management, starting with small, quick tasks and gradually moving to bigger, more complex projects while maintaining the momentum of both.

How does the speaker suggest product managers start improving their process?

The speaker suggests that product managers start by focusing on completing small tasks regularly, such as shipping a few small features each quarter or month, in order to build velocity.

What does the speaker mean by 'compounding velocity and ambition'?

It refers to the process of increasing both the speed at which tasks are completed and the scope of the projects over time, creating a compounding effect where small wins lead to bigger achievements.

What is the role of big projects in the speaker's approach to product management?

Big projects are seen as key to pushing the team further. The speaker encourages taking on a big project every few months or even quarterly, alongside the regular smaller tasks, to build the muscle for large, complex work.

What does the speaker mean by 'yes is the new no'?

The phrase means that product managers should be more open to new ideas and opportunities, saying 'yes' to more initiatives and projects instead of dismissing them prematurely.

What does the speaker mean by becoming a 'super IC'?

A 'super IC' refers to an individual contributor who excels in various skills and can take on a variety of tasks, driving significant impact in the product management process.

Why does the speaker emphasize balancing both small and big tasks in product management?

Balancing small and big tasks ensures a continuous flow of progress, allowing the team to maintain momentum on daily tasks while also achieving larger, strategic goals. This leads to sustainable growth and innovation.

How does saying 'yes' contribute to innovation in product management?

Saying 'yes' opens the door to more opportunities, enabling the team to take on new challenges and push boundaries, which is essential for driving innovation and building impactful products.

What advice does the speaker give to product managers to grow in their careers?

The speaker advises product managers to be more aggressive in taking on both small and big tasks, building skills in multiple areas, and pushing for innovation. This will help them advance toward roles like Chief Product Innovation Officer.

What is the ultimate goal in the speaker's approach to product management?

The ultimate goal is to consistently build both small and big things, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, while keeping up the momentum to do even more impactful work.