The Product Manager role was never just about ‘writing PRDs and managing the backlog’, regardless of what the latest PM influencers tell you. This was true even when I began my career as a PM.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with hundreds of executive leaders (Dir, VP, CPO, CTO, CEO) across multiple regions: USA (not just Silicon Valley), India, Europe, Southeast Asia.

Not one leader defined the PM role purely by tactical output. Not one. Seriously.

The PM role has always been about generating customer and business value.

‍ So, when you hear that “the PM role as it existed before is dead” (the one focused on PRDs and backlogs), that PM role never existed in the first place.

I wrote earlier about Moravec’s Paradox that explains why the PM role is not dead.

I’d love to hear from senior product leaders (10+ years) what was expected of you in your first PM role?

If you are an engineering, sales or marketing leader, what do you expect from someone in their first PM role?