Unpopular Opinion: Over-academicization of Product Management will lead to the death of the PM career.

I saw this think piece somewhere and I thought to weigh in on it: Product management is a field that has grown in importance in recent years, with companies increasingly recognising the need for skilled professionals to manage the development and launch of their products. However, there is a growing trend towards over-academicization of product management, with a focus on methodologies and processes over practical skills and common sense is the altar upon which every PM career will be sacrificed.

In this article, we will explore the argument that this trend could ultimately lead to the death of the PM career.

As a product manager with years of experience, I have seen the evolution of the product management profession firsthand. While the rise of technology and software development has brought about exciting changes, the over-academicization of product management is a concerning trend that could ultimately lead to the death of the PM career.

The problem with over-academicization is the excessive focus on methodologies and frameworks. While these tools can be helpful, they should not be considered the holy grail of product management. Product managers are trained to think strategically, creatively, and empathetically, but the rigid adherence to methodologies can restrict their ability to do so.

One of the primary issues with this approach is that it can stifle innovation. Product managers who are bound to a particular methodology are often discouraged from thinking outside the box and taking risks. In an industry where innovation is key, this can be a significant problem. The pressure to conform to a specific methodology can lead to a lack of creativity and ultimately hurt the success of a product.

Another problem is that the focus on methodology can create a barrier to entry for aspiring product managers. Many roles require specific certifications or degrees, which can be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming. This can prevent talented individuals who may not have the means to pursue formal education or training from pursuing a career in product management.

In my experience, I have found that relying solely on methodologies can be detrimental to product development. For example, I was once tasked with launching a new product that required a significant amount of market research. According to the prescribed methodology, I was supposed to gather data, analyse it, and create a detailed product roadmap. However, the market research produced mixed results, and the prescribed methodology did not provide guidance on how to proceed. In this scenario, relying solely on the methodology could have led to a missed opportunity or a subpar product. I went ahead to gather enough data and presented to stakeholders for an approval to commence the project and thankfully it was a Start-up that took my leap-of-faith assumptions and let me test my hypothesis. There were two outcomes; PIVOT or PESEVERE, thankfully it was the later and the aforementioned product is thriving and has gained a sizeable market share since its release.

Another example is when I was working on a project that required quick decision-making due to a tight deadline. The methodology called for extensive documentation and collaboration with various stakeholders. However, this would have caused significant delays in launching the product. In this scenario, my experience and intuition allowed me to make quick decisions and prioritise tasks to meet the deadline successfully, I must add that the full documentation came much later after I was able to put together a quick detailed deck highlighting all the areas of focus. I consider this a win, otherwise there would never have been a Launch to measure if there was any real impact with the product built !

The over-academicization of product management is a dangerous trend that could lead to the death of the PM career. Instead of focusing solely on methodologies and frameworks, companies should encourage product managers to think creatively and take calculated risks. This will require a shift in mindset and a willingness to embrace uncertainty and experimentation.

In conclusion, it is crucial to reassess the current state of product management and consider the potential negative effects of over-academicization. The PM career is at risk of becoming irrelevant if we continue to prioritise methodologies over common sense. Companies should strive to create an environment that fosters innovation and empowers product managers to take ownership of their products. By doing so, we can ensure the continued success of the product management profession.