How Product Managers Add Value in Operational Teams

Product managers (PMs) are often associated with tech-driven environments or roles directly linked to product development. However, in many organizations, including operationally focused teams like university accommodation services, a PM’s skill set can play a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency, improving processes, and driving organizational goals. This article explores how product managers can leverage their skills in operational settings and develop transferable skills, using my current experience as a Product Manager with the Student Living Team at the University of Birmingham.

The Role of a Product Manager in Operational Teams

My role allows me apply digital transformation principles to improve user experience, optimize workflows, and deliver technological solutions in a traditionally non-tech-focused organization. I often findmyself myself working closely with various stakeholders like accommodation officers, village teams, and administrative staff to help streamline operations, provide data insights, and optimize the use of software tools.

My recent experience during the A’levels results week and arrivals weekend inspired this newsletter as I saw first hand how my product skills came to light in an operational team.

Key Product Management Skills That Add Value

1. Data Analysis and Reporting:

   • How It Helps: Product managers are adept at collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. In operational settings, these skills are valuable for creating reports that inform decision-making. I constantly generate reports on occupancy rates, maintenance requests, arrivals information etc; and all of these in one way or the other, help the team identify trends and areas for improvement.

   • Example: I use PowerBI to create, manage, and visualize flexible, powerful, and comprehensive reports. I also use the data insights to suggest changes process revolving around students arrrivals, Health and Safety assessment reports, room allocations etc.

2. Process Optimization:

   • How It Helps: PMs excel at identifying inefficiencies and implementing process improvements. By mapping out current workflows and suggesting enhancements, PMs can help streamline operations, reduce manual work, and improve team productivity.

   • Example: By analyzing the workflow of room allocations, I can identify redundant steps that can be automated or streamlined, saving time and reducing errors.

3. Stakeholder Management:

   • How It Helps: Product managers are skilled in managing stakeholders, which includes understanding their needs, aligning objectives, and facilitating communication. In an operational team, these skills help bridge gaps between different departments and ensure that everyone works towards common goals.

   • Example: I act as a liaison between IT and the accommodation team, ensuring that software updates, IT Projects or new features align with the operational needs of the team.

4. Training and Support:

   • How It Helps: Product managers often have experience in onboarding users to new tools and processes. This skill is particularly useful in operational teams, where PMs can lead training sessions to help team members make the most of the software tools at their disposal.

   • Example: I recently had a conversation with senior management team on the importance of leverging Power BI to automate their reports and create interactive dashboards. While I am solely responsible for this, this can empower staff to generate insights independently in the future.

5. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking:

   • How It Helps: PMs are trained problem solvers who can quickly assess issues and identify practical solutions. This skill is invaluable when working with operational teams that may face daily challenges requiring quick, efficient resolutions.

   • Example: There are times where various softwares we use as a team experience downtimes. My ability to work with vendors, communicate with affected staff, and implement temporary solutions helps minimize disruption.

Developing Transferable Skills

Working in an operational role allows product managers to develop a range of transferable skills that are valuable across various industries:

1. Operational Insight:

   • Understanding the intricacies of daily operations equips PMs with a broader perspective that is useful in any future roles, especially those involving service-oriented products.

2. Adaptability:

   • Operating outside the traditional PM role forces PMs to adapt and think on their feet, which enhances their problem-solving abilities and resilience.

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

   • Regular interaction with different departments helps PMs refine their communication and collaboration skills, making them more effective leaders in cross-functional environments.

4. Enhanced Empathy and User Understanding:

   • Direct exposure to end-users (like accommodation officers, customer service managers, and students in my case) helps PMs develop a deeper empathy, which translates into better user-centric product decisions in the future.

Conclusion

Product managers working in operational settings can provide immense value by leveraging their unique skill sets. By using data analysis, process optimization, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills, PMs can enhance team efficiency and contribute to broader organizational goals. At the same time, the experience gained in these roles helps PMs develop transferable skills that enrich their careers and open new opportunities across various industries.

The key takeaway? Even when not engaged in traditional product tasks, product managers can leverage their skills to drive meaningful impact, bridging the gap between operational execution and strategic vision.