diff --git a/docs/octoacme-product-manager-process.md b/docs/octoacme-product-manager-process.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9b38448 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/octoacme-product-manager-process.md @@ -0,0 +1,208 @@ +# OctoAcme — Product Manager Process + +## Purpose +Define the core workflows, responsibilities, and deliverables for Product Managers to effectively drive product strategy, prioritize features, and measure outcomes that deliver customer and business value. + +## Primary Responsibilities +- **Product Vision & Strategy**: Define and communicate the product vision, roadmap, and strategic priorities +- **Backlog Management**: Prioritize features, write acceptance criteria, and maintain a healthy product backlog +- **Stakeholder Alignment**: Facilitate cross-functional collaboration and ensure stakeholder buy-in +- **Outcome Measurement**: Define success metrics, track product performance, and iterate based on data +- **Customer Advocacy**: Represent customer needs and validate solutions through research and feedback + +## Core Workflows + +### 1. Product Discovery & Vision Setting +- Conduct customer research and competitive analysis +- Define problem statements and opportunity sizing +- Create product vision and strategic objectives +- Align with leadership on product priorities and resource allocation + +### 2. Roadmap Planning & Prioritization +- Develop quarterly and annual product roadmaps +- Prioritize features using framework (e.g., RICE, MoSCoW, Value vs. Effort) +- Balance customer needs, business goals, and technical constraints +- Communicate roadmap changes and rationale to stakeholders + +### 3. Feature Definition & Requirements +- Write detailed feature specifications and user stories +- Define acceptance criteria and success metrics +- Create wireframes, mockups, or prototypes as needed +- Collaborate with design and engineering on technical feasibility + +### 4. Cross-functional Collaboration +- Lead product planning meetings and sprint planning +- Work with engineering on technical trade-offs and scope decisions +- Partner with marketing on go-to-market strategy and positioning +- Coordinate with sales and support on customer feedback and needs + +### 5. Measurement & Iteration +- Define and track key product metrics (KPIs) +- Analyze user behavior and product performance data +- Conduct A/B tests and feature experiments +- Gather customer feedback and iterate on solutions + +## Key Deliverables + +### Product Strategy Documents +- Product vision statement and strategic objectives +- Quarterly and annual product roadmaps +- Competitive analysis and market research summaries +- Customer personas and journey maps + +### Feature Specifications +- Epic and user story definitions +- Acceptance criteria and success metrics +- Technical requirements and constraints +- Go-to-market plans for major features + +### Performance Reports +- Monthly product metrics and KPI dashboards +- Feature performance analysis and recommendations +- Customer feedback summaries and action items +- Roadmap updates and priority changes + +## Stakeholder Alignment Framework + +### Regular Communication Cadence +- **Weekly**: Sync with engineering leads on delivery progress and blockers +- **Bi-weekly**: Review metrics and customer feedback with leadership +- **Monthly**: Present roadmap updates to stakeholders and executives +- **Quarterly**: Conduct strategic planning and roadmap review sessions + +### Key Stakeholder Groups +- **Engineering**: Technical feasibility, effort estimation, delivery timelines +- **Design**: User experience, design requirements, usability testing +- **Marketing**: Positioning, messaging, go-to-market strategy +- **Sales**: Customer needs, competitive landscape, revenue impact +- **Support**: Customer issues, feature requests, usability feedback +- **Leadership**: Strategic alignment, resource allocation, business metrics + +## Backlog Management Process + +### Backlog Health Criteria +- Stories are properly sized (small enough for one sprint) +- Acceptance criteria are clear and testable +- Priority order reflects current business strategy +- Dependencies are identified and communicated +- Sufficient backlog depth for 2-3 sprints ahead + +### Prioritization Framework +1. **Business Value**: Impact on revenue, customer satisfaction, or strategic goals +2. **Customer Impact**: Number of users affected and severity of need +3. **Effort & Complexity**: Development time, technical risk, and dependencies +4. **Strategic Alignment**: Fit with product vision and company objectives + +### Backlog Refinement Activities +- Regular grooming sessions with engineering team +- Story breakdown and acceptance criteria refinement +- Priority adjustments based on new data or feedback +- Risk assessment and dependency management + +## Measurement & Continuous Improvement + +### Success Metrics Framework +- **Product Metrics**: Usage, engagement, retention, conversion rates +- **Business Metrics**: Revenue, customer acquisition, market share +- **Customer Metrics**: Satisfaction scores, support tickets, feature requests +- **Team Metrics**: Velocity, cycle time, delivery predictability + +### Data-Driven Decision Making +- Establish baseline metrics for new features +- Define hypothesis and success criteria before launch +- Monitor post-launch performance and user feedback +- Iterate based on data insights and customer needs + +### Continuous Learning Process +- Conduct regular user research and customer interviews +- Analyze support tickets and feature requests for patterns +- Review competitor activities and market trends +- Participate in industry events and product management communities + +## Product Manager Toolkit + +### Feature Specification Template +``` +**Feature Name**: +**Problem Statement**: +**Success Metrics**: +**User Stories**: + - As a [user type], I want [goal] so that [benefit] +**Acceptance Criteria**: + - [ ] Criterion 1 + - [ ] Criterion 2 +**Dependencies**: +**Technical Considerations**: +**Go-to-Market Plan**: +``` + +### Roadmap Planning Checklist +- [ ] Customer research and feedback incorporated +- [ ] Business objectives and strategy alignment confirmed +- [ ] Engineering effort estimates obtained +- [ ] Dependencies and risks identified +- [ ] Success metrics and tracking plan defined +- [ ] Stakeholder review and approval completed +- [ ] Communication plan for roadmap changes established + +### Sprint Planning Checklist +- [ ] Backlog prioritized based on current strategy +- [ ] Stories have clear acceptance criteria +- [ ] Team capacity and velocity considered +- [ ] Dependencies resolved or escalated +- [ ] Definition of Done reviewed and agreed +- [ ] Success metrics tracking plan in place + +### Monthly Review Checklist +- [ ] Product metrics analyzed and trends identified +- [ ] Customer feedback reviewed and categorized +- [ ] Roadmap progress assessed against plan +- [ ] Stakeholder updates prepared and delivered +- [ ] Priority adjustments made based on new data +- [ ] Team retrospective feedback incorporated + +## Escalation & Decision Framework + +### Decision Authority +- **Feature Prioritization**: Product Manager owns day-to-day priority decisions +- **Roadmap Changes**: Requires stakeholder alignment for major shifts +- **Resource Allocation**: Escalate to Product Lead or leadership team +- **Technical Trade-offs**: Collaborate with Engineering Lead on decisions + +### Escalation Paths +- **Level 1**: Team-level discussions and consensus building +- **Level 2**: Product Lead involvement for strategic decisions +- **Level 3**: Leadership escalation for business-critical issues + +### Conflict Resolution +- Present data and customer evidence to support decisions +- Facilitate cross-functional discussions to find win-win solutions +- Escalate to appropriate leadership when consensus cannot be reached +- Document decisions and rationale for future reference + +## Communication Guidelines + +### Status Update Template +**Product Progress This Week**: +- Key features delivered: +- Metrics highlights: +- Customer feedback summary: + +**Next Steps**: +- Priority features in development: +- Upcoming research or testing: +- Stakeholder decisions needed: + +**Risks & Blockers**: +- Technical dependencies: +- Resource constraints: +- External dependencies: + +### Feature Launch Communication +- Pre-launch: Notify stakeholders of timeline and success metrics +- Launch: Announce availability and key benefits to users +- Post-launch: Share performance data and next iteration plans + +--- + +*This document should be referenced alongside the [Product Manager role definition](octoacme-roles-and-personas.md) and other OctoAcme process documentation for comprehensive guidance.* \ No newline at end of file