A four-dimension framework for evaluating Product Managers beyond feature delivery.
How to Evaluate a Product Manager?
Evaluating a Product Manager is often challenging.
Unlike roles with quantifiable deliverables, much of a PM's impact lies in intangible areas like strategic thinking, stakeholder management, and aligning diverse teams. Yet, this doesn't mean the value of a Product Manager cannot be measured.
By breaking down their responsibilities into key focus areas, we can establish a clear and actionable framework for assessment.
There is a practical approach to assessing Product Managers, focusing on four critical dimensions of their work:
- Product Execution
- Customer Insight
- Product Strategy
- Influencing People
These areas encompass the holistic contributions of a PM and provide measurable indicators of their performance.
What is the Framework
This is a practical evaluation model based on 4 Critical Dimensions (Focus Areas).
It moves the performance conversation away from a simple checklist of tasks to a holistic view of the PM's contribution. It is designed to be used for performance reviews, hiring rubrics, and career development planning.
The 4 Focus Areas of Product Managers
Product Execution
Product execution is at the core of a PM’s role. A competent PM ensures smooth delivery of features and products that meet business goals and customer needs. The ability to define, develop, and launch world-class products is the fundamental purpose of this role.
