Skip to main content

Product Roles

:::note Table of Contents

  • Technical Business Analyst
  • Junior or Associate Product Manager
  • Mid - Level Product Manager
  • Senior or Principle Product Manager
  • Scrum Master

:::

Product managers prioritize work to be done, build and share roadmaps across teams, and incorporate feedback from internal and external sources. That typically means managing the strategic vision for a product and keeping cross-functional teams on track and on deadline.

Technical Business Analyst​

Technical Business Analysts are responsible for overseeing the implementation of technical business projects and solutions. Technical Business Analysts work with stakeholders and technical team members to map, analyze and document business processes and projects.

The Technical Business Analyst’s main job is to ensure constant improvement in the process, products, services, or systems in the organization. The Technical Business Analyst uses data to bridge the gap between information technology and the process by recommending data-driven procedures that can be adopted to ensure the organization meets its objectives. Using data analysis, the technical business analysts assess the business process, determine the requirements, and give a report to the stakeholders on how the organization can improve its operations. The technical business analyst uses their skills to bridge the gap between IT and business partners. The technical business analyst should be able to determine the correct requirements and pass them on to development in a manner that they can understand

Responsibilities:​

At all development stages, a business analyst communicates with stakeholders, and product and marketing managers to capture business- and market-level requirements and then interacts with developers through a project manager, without a direct impact on the development process.

  • Acting as the primary liaison between the end user and the engineering team.
  • Gathering the correct technical requirements to allow the developers to do their jobs.
  • Being proactive in anticipating the needs or requirements of engineering team
  • Suggesting high level solutions to end users to get to the needed requirements.
  • Performing system analyses on software programs, applications, and web services.
  • Determining system efficiency and functionality by liaising with internal departments and end-users.
  • Reporting to Management and obtaining approval for system development projects.
  • Efficiently integrating new systems, programs, and applications with business operations and services.
  • Analyzing and improving the performance of web-based customer portals and support services.
  • Ensuring end-user proficiency with new systems, programs, and applications across departments.
  • Promoting system efficiency and security by integrating performance metrics and encryption.
  • Implementing new advancements in the field of system and enterprise architecture.

Skills​

Communication skills​

Excellent communication skills are necessary since junior product managers frequently interact with stakeholders. They may need to communicate between the software engineering team and marketing managers, present to upper management to pitch new features or functionality, or interview customers about their user experience. Candidates need to have written and verbal communication skills.

Analytical thinker​

As strange as it sounds, a business analyst has to have an … analytical mind. Actually, this is one of the most important skills for BAs. A product BA can be considered an expert when they understand difficulties or issues, visualize them, analyze them, and then resolve them. This also includes proficient research skills, logical thinking, and presentation skills. A strong background with different analytical techniques including Interface Analysis, Feasibility Analysis, and SWOT Analysis is required.

Decision-maker​

The business analyst role often requires making decisions. Being a middleman between stakeholders and an engineering team, BAs are supposed to make sound judgments in varied business subjects. Any of these can define the sustainability of a business. Decision-making skills allow a BA to assess a situation, including risks and benefits, receive feedback from stakeholders, and select a course of action.

Problem-solver​

For a business analyst, each customer comes with a different problem or issue to be resolved quickly and for the long-term. So, a business analyst’s responsibility is to study the problem, analyze the available options, and then suggest the best choice. They must be able to observe a problem from different angles within the business, including a target user and that of a technical expert. In such circumstances, an ability to work in a collaborative environment with an ongoing discussion with developers is obligatory. This is where technically viable solutions are discovered.

Documentation and visualization master​

The business analyst role presumes making presentations to both stakeholders and developers. To do that properly, a good BA should provide consistent requirements documentation. Along with that, building wireframes is a crucial part of a BA’s activity. Although it’s not about strong UX design skills, schematic sketching and knowledge of tools Unifying Modeling Language are compelling, necessary attributes.


Junior or Associate Product Manager​

As a Junior Product Manager you will support experienced product managers in increasing the profitability of our existing products as well in the development of new products, and as such you will learn the procedure step-by-step. In order to develop innovative solutions and products independently in the future, it is also your responsibility to spend time in the market to learn to understand the problems of market participants, to document them, assess them and communicate their results.

You will also, under supervision, conduct all analysis, such as for example: Win/Loss, competitor, SWOT and technology benefit analysis. You will determine market sizes of potential markets and their potential. Together with your colleagues you will evaluate the most important Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and derive measures from the results for the future success of the product.

Responsibilities​

To a large extent the responsibilities of a Junior Product Manager don’t differ too much from that of a regular PM. It is more about the amount of leeway given and the scope of responsibilities. By definition, management can’t have the same expectations of a Junior PM, but at the same time you’ll need to pull your weight. At the end of the day that means getting things developed and shipped, properly and on time.

Overall, the Junior Product Manager’s responsibilities include:

  • Collaborating with the product team to define the product vision and product strategy
  • Researching the target market and buyer persona
  • Speaking to customers to gather feedback
  • Setting the objectives and key results
  • Building a strategic product roadmap that fits in with the overall strategy of the department and the company
  • Working with the other departments to deliver quality features and products within
  • Preparing for product launches the expected timeline

Skills​

Communication skills​

Excellent communication skills are necessary since junior product managers frequently interact with stakeholders. They may need to communicate between the software engineering team and marketing managers, present to upper management to pitch new features or functionality, or interview customers about their user experience. Candidates need to have written and verbal communication skills.

Project management​

One hard skill that may benefit your organization is project management. The ability to lead a team through tasks and meet deadlines is critical to ensuring product development happens on time. You may also want to look for other hard skills like market research or development experience.

Willing to learn​

An entry-level position like a junior product manager means that candidates will have a lot to learn. You should gauge a candidate’s willingness to learn from others and gain new skills. This will help ensure their success in their role while also helping to build the company’s goals overall.

Decision-making abilities​

Junior product managers have to have excellent decision-making skills. You want a candidate that has the confidence to make their own decisions without needing input on every little aspect of a project. Product managers often have to justify decisions they make and this is a necessary skill. For example, product managers may need to present why a feature should be built over another feature and present why they made that decision.

Business knowledge​

It may be beneficial to have a junior product manager that understands the business, industry, marketing, sales, and more. This kind of knowledge will empower junior managers to discover problems and provide solutions within the organization.

Creativity and innovation​

While not easily quantifiable, junior product managers need creativity and innovation in their roles. An organization’s product suite often needs updating or new products. Having a junior manager that’s not afraid to be different and come up with new ideas is a huge asset to your company.


Mid-level Product Manager​

This mid-level product role is like the associate-level product manager position. Except that in addition to being the product’s “go-to” resource for other teams, you’ll also be the point person for the product team related to your product. In collaboration with the Senior/Principle Product Manger, you will be expected to set the product strategy and own the product roadmap. You’ll be consulted for advice on the process, relationships, tactical moves, etc., and will need to be confident and well-informed by data.

You will conduct all analysis, such as for example: Win/Loss, competitor, SWOT and technology benefit analysis. You will determine market sizes of potential markets and their potential. Together with your colleagues you will evaluate the most important Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and derive measures from the results for the future success of the product. As well as help guide junior/associate level product managers.

Responsibilities​

Overall, the Mid-Level Product Manager’s responsibilities include:

  • Collaborating with the product team to define the product vision and product strategy
  • Researching the target market and buyer persona
  • Speaking to customers to gather feedback
  • Influence key stakeholders throughout the company to align resources and prioritization
  • Setting the objectives and key results
  • Building a strategic product roadmap that fits in with the overall strategy of the department and the company
  • Working with the other departments to deliver quality features and products within
  • Preparing for product launches the expected timeline
  • Inspire your cross-functional peers to build strong partnerships in delivering excellent products and services
  • Mentoring junior/associate product managers

Skills​

Communication skills​

Excellent communication skills are necessary since product managers frequently interact with stakeholders. They may need to communicate between the software engineering team and marketing managers, present to upper management to pitch new features or functionality, or interview customers about their user experience. Candidates need to have written and verbal communication skills.

Project management​

One hard skill that may benefit your organization is project management. The ability to lead a team through tasks and meet deadlines is critical to ensuring product development happens on time. You may also want to look for other hard skills like market research or development experience.

Willing to learn​

What ends up being one of the essential necessities as a product manager is one’s curiosity and desire to learn. As a product manager, your growth ends up being so much determined by your love of learning. Being able to pick up new skills and knowledge helps one become better at defining new product ideas and collaborating more effectively with their cross-functional peers in the organization. The activities and work that one does as a product manager are constantly in flux. You must know and learn about technology, design, leadership, managing people, negotiations, organizational communication, and more.

Decision-making abilities​

Product managers have to have excellent decision-making skills. You want a candidate that has the confidence to make their own decisions without needing input on every little aspect of a project. Product managers often have to justify decisions they make and this is a necessary skill. For example, product managers may need to present why a feature should be built over another feature and present why they made that decision.

Business knowledge​

It is beneficial to have a product manager that understands the business, industry, marketing, sales, and more or at least the willingness to learn. This kind of knowledge will empower product managers to discover problems and provide solutions within the organization. You might not need hands-on product experience. Yet you’ll need to be able to speak to basic product concepts and walk in with a hit-the-ground-running attitude.

Creativity and innovation​

While not easily quantifiable, product managers need creativity and innovation in their roles. An organization’s product suite often needs updating or new products. Having a product manager that’s not afraid to be different and come up with new ideas is a huge asset to your company.


Senior or Principle Product Manager​

Most senior product managers perform the same duties as described under the mid-level product manager sections. The difference is that the duties come with higher-impact, higher-visibility products. Senior PMs also work with product leaders to contribute to and execute product strategy.

This senior/principle product manager position defines the company vision for the product. In collaboration with the product manger, you will be expected to set the product strategy and own the long term product roadmap. You’ll be consulted for advice on the process, relationships, tactical moves, etc., and will need to be confident and well-informed by data.

You have a demonstrable understanding of the customer benefit your product provides. Be able to articulate the specific customer problems, solutions, and tie product metrics to business goals in a compelling way. In other words, everything should be running and running smoothly. Internal and external customers should feel informed. Engineering, UX, and marketing should trust and respect you.

Senior product managers begin to look more at the broader product process. Managing all the moving parts and focusing on realizing value can be a difficult task. This is why it’s common for senior product managers to create a production process to rely on. Effective product managers create a light amount of processes to save time further down the road.

A successful senior product manager will come in with professional experience that demonstrates the ability to think on their feet that they can be accountable for decisions and make data-driven decisions based on many complex, interdependent factors.

Responsibilities​

Overall, the Senior/Principle Level Product Manager’s responsibilities include:

  • First and foremost, a principal PM is responsible for devising, implementing, and overseeing the product strategy, while identifying and mitigating the enterprise risk.
    • This entails defining/finalizing:
      • Goals – specific things that the team wants to accomplish with the product. These goals should align with the business objectives of the company.
      • Product Vision – the big picture or the end goal for which the product team should be working towards.
      • Efforts – a detailed list of the specific internal efforts required to achieve the product vision.
  • Leading internal discussions with the product team to define the product vision and product strategy
  • Influence key stakeholders throughout the company to align resources and prioritization
  • Build business cases, articulate strategy, sell your vision to leadership, understand the market, analyze consumer engagement, lead your team, etc.
  • Make hard, high-judgment trade-offs between features and speed-to-market
  • Present your findings to large groups, including senior leaders
  • Set the objectives and key results
  • Mentoring junior/associate product managers

Skills​

Communication skills​

Excellent communication skills are necessary since product managers frequently interact with stakeholders. They may need to communicate between the software engineering team and marketing managers, present to upper management to pitch new features or functionality, or interview customers about their user experience. Candidates need to have written and verbal communication skills.

Project management​

One hard skill that may benefit your organization is project management. The ability to lead a team through tasks and meet deadlines is critical to ensuring product development happens on time. You may also want to look for other hard skills like market research or development experience.

Willing to learn​

What ends up being one of the essential necessities as a product manager is one’s curiosity and desire to learn. As a product manager, your growth ends up being so much determined by your love of learning. Being able to pick up new skills and knowledge helps one become better at defining new product ideas and collaborating more effectively with their cross-functional peers in the organization. The activities and work that one does as a product manager are constantly in flux. You must know and learn about technology, design, leadership, managing people, negotiations, organizational communication, and more.

Decision-making abilities​

Product managers have to have excellent decision-making skills. You want a candidate that has the confidence to make their own decisions without needing input on every little aspect of a project. Product managers often have to justify decisions they make and this is a necessary skill. For example, product managers may need to present why a feature should be built over another feature and present why they made that decision.

Business knowledge​

It is beneficial to have a product manager that understands the business, industry, marketing, sales, and more or at least the willingness to learn. This kind of knowledge will empower product managers to discover problems and provide solutions within the organization. You might not need hands-on product experience. Yet you’ll need to be able to speak to basic product concepts and walk in with a hit-the-ground-running attitude.

Creativity and innovation​

While not easily quantifiable, product managers need creativity and innovation in their roles. An organization’s product suite often needs updating or new products. Having a product manager that’s not afraid to be different and come up with new ideas is a huge asset to your company.

Candidate Interview Questions​

  • Can you give an example of when you had to define and implement a product strategy, and what was the impact it had on the organization and customers?
  • How do you communicate complex product decisions to various stakeholders, including non-technical teams?
  • Describe a situation where you had to make a difficult trade-off between product features and speed-to-market. What factors did you consider and what was the outcome?
  • How have you prioritized product features or functionality based on customer feedback and business goals? Provide a specific example.
  • Tell us about a time when you successfully aligned resources and prioritization within your organization to achieve a product milestone.
  • Can you provide an example of when you built a business case for a product or feature initiative? What information did you use to support your case?
  • How do you create and rely on a production process to manage the moving parts of product development and ensure that value is realized?
  • Tell us about your approach to mentoring junior or associate product managers. What do you see as key aspects of guiding their professional growth?
  • How have you handled a situation where you needed to address or mitigate enterprise risk while executing on product strategy?
  • What techniques have you used to stay informed about the latest trends and changes in your industry, ensuring that your product remains competitive and innovative?
  • Share an instance when you had to make a critical decision based on complex, interdependent factors. How did you evaluate those factors and reach your decision?

Scrum master​

A Scrum Master, popularly known as the “servant leader” is a coach, motivator and leader of an Agile team. The role of a Scrum Master is to educate the team on Agile processes and help team members follow Scrum practices.

A good Scrum Master helps to establish a high-performing team dynamic, a continuous flow, and an exponential improvement in processes. They are required to play a pivotal role and are responsible for the progressive development of a Scrum team.  

The Scrum Master collaborates both with the Product Manager (PM) who focuses on building the right product, and the development team that focuses on building the product right. A Scrum Master’s job is essentially to help everyone understand and imbibe Scrum values, principles, and practices and get the best product out to the customer.

Responsibilities:​

  • Promotes high-quality, sustainable work across multiple teams by leveraging Agile practices.
  • Identify approaches for fostering collaboration and synchronization across teams.
  • Implement strategies to enhance Agile acumen within the organization and to ensure stakeholders recognize the business value of Agile practices.
  • Guide and coach Scrum Team on how to use Agile practices to deliver high quality products and services to our customers.
  • Fosters an environment of continuous improvement through regular inspection and adaptation.
  • Understands how to track and measure scrum team performance and works with the team on determining areas for improvement.
  • Responsible for ensuring Scrum is understood and the team adheres to Scrum methodology.
  • Identify and remove impediments to progress, including conflict resolution.
  • Facilitates and supports all scrum events: Sprint Planning, Daily Scrum, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective.
  • Facilitate internal communication and effective collaboration.
  • Work with product managers to manage backlog and new requests.
  • Regularly communicates the teams’ velocity, progression against the backlog, and key project issues and risks.
  • Attend Scrum of Scrums when working in a multi-team / scaled scrum environment.
  • Lead scrum teams in a remote/virtual environment.
  • Continued education to keep certifications up to date.
  • Actively participates in Hitachi Scrum Master Community of Practice.

Required Skills​

  • 3 - 5 years’ experience as a Scrum Master and or working on a scrum team
  • Professional Scrum Master (PSM 1-3), Certified Scrum Master (CSM) or equivalent certification
  • Familiarity with data analytics and software development
  • Knowledge of formal IT project management principles and practices during the planning, implementation, monitoring and completion of projects
  • Familiarity with software development processes, methodologies, and tools
  • Knowledge of Scrum techniques and artifacts (Definition of Done, Product Backlog Items, Refinement, etc.)
  • Working knowledge of Agile frameworks to build Agile acumen within the organization and scale teams from single pod projects to large, distributed programs.
  • Experience working with Azure DevOps
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build consensus, negotiate and influence change.
  • Strong organizational and resource management skills
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Strong situational awareness and skills in facilitating conflict resolution and continuous improvement.
  • Team leader who builds effective teams through coaching and identifying and addressing team development needs
  • Highly energetic, focused, resilient.

Qualifications​

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
  • Working with scrum in 2 or more systems or companies