GovWire

This describes the role of a product manager and the skills required, including:

• an introduction to the role, telling you what you would do in this role and the full list of skills
• a description of the levels in this role, from associate product manager to head of product, specifying the skills you need and the corresponding skill levels (awareness, working, practitioner, expert)

This role is part of the Digital, Data and Technology Profession in the Civil Service.

Introduction to the role of product manager

A product manager is responsible for the quality of their products. In this role, you will be expected to use your knowledge of user needs and business goals to frame problems and set priorities for your delivery teams.

Skills needed to be a product manager

You will need the following skills for this role, although the level of expertise for each will vary, depending on the role level.

• Agile working. You can demonstrate knowledge of Agile methodology. You can apply an Agile mindset to all aspects of your work. You can work in a fast-paced, evolving environment and use an iterative method and flexible approach to enable rapid delivery. You can appreciate the importance of Agile project delivery for digital projects in government. You can be unafraid to take risks and willing to learn from mistakes. You can ensure the team knows what each other is working on and how this relates to practical government objectives and user needs.
• DDaT perspective. You can demonstrate an understanding of user-centred design, technology and data perspectives. You can understand the range of available technology choices and can make informed decisions based on user need and value for money. You can understand the variety and complexities of digital and data contexts, and can design services to meet them. You can demonstrate knowledge of the wider digital economy and advances in technology.
• Financial ownership. You can secure funding for Agile delivery through a business case and by making a good pitch in government. You can prioritise spending based on return on investment (ROI) and strategic intent. You can be responsible for contract ownership and accountable for the realisation of benefits.
• Life cycle perspective. You can understand the different phases of product delivery and can contribute to, plan or run them. You can maintain a product or process through the delivery phases, into live and then into retirement. You can lead a team through the different phases of the product delivery life cycle. You can maintain and iterate a product over time to continuously meet user needs. You can understand incident management and service support to ensure that products are built effectively.
• Operational management. You can manage the operational process of designing and running a product or service throughout its entire product life cycle. You can implement best practice in new product or service development. You can plan and put into operation the stages of new product or service development. You can overcome operational constraints to deliver a successful product or service. You can work closely with other operational delivery teams.
• Problem management. You can understand and identify problems, analysing and helping to identify the appropriate solution. You can classify and prioritise problems, document their causes and implement remedies.
• Product ownership. You can use a range of product management principles and approaches. You can capture user needs and translate them into deliverables. You can define the minimum viable product (MVP) and make decisions about priorities. You can write user stories and acceptance criteria. You can effectively work with a range of specialists in multidisciplinary teams.
• Strategic ownership. You can effectively focus on outcomes rather than solutions. You can develop ambitious visions and strategies. You can get the organisation and team to buy in. You can translate the vision into prioritised deliverable goals.
• User focus. You can understand users and identify who they are and what their needs are, based on evidence. You can translate user stories and propose design approaches or services to meet these needs. You can engage in meaningful interactions and relationships with users. You can show that you put users first and can manage competing priorities.
• Working within constraints. You can understand and work within given constraints (such as technology, policy, regulatory, financial and legal constraints). You can challenge constraints that can be changed. You can ensure compliance with constraints by adapting products and services where needed.

Associate product manager

Associate product managers manage subsets of features or components of a product in either its prototype state or once it is live and being incrementally improved. This can be an entry-level role for civil servants who may be looking to progress to product manager or those on emerging talent schemes.

At this level, because you will be learning basic product management techniques, you will report to a more senior product manager.

Skills needed for this role level

• Agile working. You can show an awareness of Agile methodology and the ways to apply the principles in practice. You can take an open-minded approach. You can explain why iteration is important. You can iterate quickly. (Skill level: awareness)
• DDaT perspective. You can demonstrate a basic understanding of design, technology and data principles. You can understand the range of available technology choices. (Skill level: awareness)
• Financial ownership. You can handle numbers confidently. You can collate information ensuring the accuracy of financial and performance data. (Skill level: awareness)
• Life cycle perspective. You can understand how the needs of the team and the product vary across the stages of the product life cycle. (Skill level: awareness)
• Operational management. You can understand the operational processes of running and maintaining a product or service. (Skill level: awareness)
• Problem management. You can initiate and monitor actions to investigate patterns and trends to resolve problems. You can effectively consult specialists where required. You can determine the appropriate remedy and assist with its implementation. You can determine preventative measures. (Skill level: working)
• Product ownership. You can show an awareness of the tools, terms and concepts used to deliver a product. (Skill level: awareness)
• Strategic ownership. You can effectively get buy-in from the team. (Skill level: working)
• User focus. You can identify and engage with users or stakeholders to collate user needs evidence. You can understand and define research that fits user needs. You can use quantitative and qualitative data about users to turn user focus into outcomes. (Skill level: working)
• Working within constraints. You can understand the value of policy, legislative, regulatory and operational constraints and can find the simplest, shortest and fastest solution for users. (Skill level: awareness)

Product manager

A product manager defines, owns and solves problems.

At this role level, you will:

• manage a product through discovery, alpha, beta and live states
• support lead and senior product managers
• potentially line manage associate product managers and support their professional development
• be developing expert skills in and knowledge of product management techniques
• potentially be involved in recruitment

This can be an entry-level role for new product managers who have been working in other digital roles, or civil servants with sufficient experience across other competencies.

Skills needed for this role level

• Agile working. You can identify and compare the best processes or delivery methods to use, including measuring and evaluating outcomes. You can help the team to decide the best approach. You can help teams to manage and visualise outcomes, prioritise work and adhere to agreed minimum viable product (MVP), priorities and scope. (Skill level: practitioner)
• DDaT perspective. You can demonstrate a working understanding of design, technology and data principles. You can understand the variety and complexity of users digital needs, and how the product will meet those needs. You can show an awareness of assisted digital support and can explain why its important. You can design services and make decisions to meet user needs. (Skill level: working)
• Financial ownership. You can understand the marketplace. You can realise the benefit of a product and persuade others that its the r
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