Develops new software product concepts, designs, and/or enhancements to existing product design that reflect market and user requirements.
Conducts research and develops a good understanding of the customer's needs, new technologies, trends in the market, and competitors. Develops requirements documents, functional specifications, and mock-ups to clearly illustrate product ideas and concepts. Participates in all phases of the product development lifecycle, including analysis, design, testing, and integration of products as well as the introduction of products to the market. Member of a cross-functional team that translates customer needs and technology directions into product definitions. May participate in the creation of documentation or user guides for new products.
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Product Manager I skill and competencie below to view definitions.
Skill definition-Designing, implementing, and managing software product lifecycle from inception to delivery to maximize revenue and meet user experience.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains the different stages of the software product management lifecycle.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Follows the best practices in product management to support agile software development.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Defines product specifications to analyze and decompose complex features for software planning and execution.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Manages the ideation and design process of software products to improve user experience.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Forecasts trends in product management to create software product vision and structures.
Skill definition-Knowledge of software product market and ability to identify and incorporate the market trends and user requirement for the design and development of software product.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains how a software product benefits and caters to the needs of its end users.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Documents the adherence of software product ideas presented to the organization's goals.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Prepares and communicates software requirements detailing the project timelines, scope, and budgets.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Facilitates product knowledge transfer between relevant teams and departments to drive efficiency.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes guidelines and procedures in designing, building, testing, and updating software products.
Skill definition-Analyzing an organization's structure, process, technology, and capabilities to determine information systems changes needed for achieving organizational goals.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the methods and techniques of business analysis.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers the requirements necessary for the development of a solution to analysis issues.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Provides technological solutions to improve our business performance and capabilities.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Manages our business's structure to identify problems and make strategic business decisions.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Generates strategic action plans to enhance the quality of business analysis.
Skill definition-Gathering information about a business's potential customers to determine the feasibility of a new product or service.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Discusses different types of market research, such as focus groups, polls, and surveys.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Conducts market research to support the execution of new product initiatives.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Generates questionnaires, surveys, and other data collection resources.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Evaluates consumer preferences to identify the potential sales of a product or service.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Champions the adoption of advanced techniques and tools in enhancing marketing research processes.
Skill definition-Insight into our organization's business, goals, and values. Ability to design and implement initiatives that facilitate successful outcomes.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Discusses the strengths and weaknesses of our products and services.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Explains advantages and disadvantages of different organizational structures from an efficiency perspective.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Communicates financial insights that positively influence the business plan development process.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Evaluates and explains the financial aspects of a business initiative to different teams.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Champions organizational change and digital transformation to drive higher business performance.
Skill definition-Analyzing hypothetical situations or abstract concepts to compile business insights.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains the rationale for adapting processes from one department to another.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Identifies gaps in information and similarities between current and past situations.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Discovers leading companies' innovating work processes in the field.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Establishes consistent standards for the conceptual thinking process.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Keeps abreast of conceptual thinking skills relating to collaboration.
There are 9 hard skills for Product Manager I, Software Product Management, Software Product Business Knowledge, Software Product Technical Knowledge, etc.
4 general skills for Product Manager I, Business Analysis, Market Research, Product Development, etc.
10 soft skills for Product Manager I, Business Acumen, Conceptual Thinking, Analytical Thinking, etc.
While the list totals 23 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Product Manager I, he or she needs to be proficient in Business Acumen, be proficient in Conceptual Thinking, and be proficient in Analytical Thinking.
