Entries from April 2011 ↓

It was a fun conversation on Tuesday. How can you distinguish between a Senior Product Manager and a Product Manager? There was a side-hall conversation on the topic with some Twitter people too.

First conclusion, it is not based on experience. Experience might lead to it, but you are not a senior product manager because you have been a product manager for X years.

Second conclusion, it requires a broader vision. Someone who is capable of thinking about “the many” versus “the one”.

The third variable (note, not conclusion) is that a senior product manager is “more strategic”. I really struggle with that. If you are strategic, can you be more strategic? Does having more responsibility make one more strategic? Not sure. Seems like I am applying the same concepts to a broader set and not sure that makes me more strategic. However, it ties back to the second conclusion and that would make one senior.

More food for thought.

How do you distinguish between a Senior Product Manager and a Product Manager?

Is it strictly in experience?
Is it responsibility? If so, which responsibilities?
Other factors?

My gut tells me it is just experience, but then how do you know someone has had the right experience to qualify for or graduate to a Product Manager?

My head tells me it is the way someone thinks, but then how do you know someone has the right brain patterns for Senior Product Manager?

Comments?