What is Product Operations?
Product Operations is the strategic coordination hub within a company that ensures smooth collaboration between different teams involved in product development. By optimizing processes, analyzing data, and fostering cross functional communication, Product Operations aims to enhance the efficiency and success of product initiatives (Product - the outcome and Product - the department). From project management to feedback synthesis, it plays a pivotal role in driving the continuous improvement of products throughout their lifecycle.
The product Operations Team/Group within the Product department is usually responsible for defining processes and tools and driving cross-functional work. It may include the following rules:
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Customer voice management
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Cross-functional program management
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Product research / User research
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Release management
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Localization management
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Analytics (for B2B or B2C measurement of the product impact)
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General operations - Includes onboarding, enablement, tools, budget, and learning organization methods
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Not every SW product company requires a product ops function, however, every product department deals with those questions, challenges, and mechanisms. Sharing our knowledge aims to help both product managers and product operations managers at all seniority levels.
What is the main difference between project managers to product operations?
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It is a question of Focus and Outcomes:
While project managers are more focused on managing individual projects with specific deliverables, product operations professionals have a broader, ongoing responsibility for optimizing and enhancing products or services.
Therefore, while project managers are more focused on the tactical level of the execution, product operations professionals will focus on the strategic level of finding the right operations to successfully manage the"product factory".
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These roles may intersect, especially in environments where a product is continuously evolving, and projects are integral to that evolution.
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