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Product Management

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Here’s How Your Ideas Shaped Wrike Product Updates in 2023
News 5 min read

Here’s How Your Ideas Shaped Wrike Product Updates in 2023

When we say we value customer feedback, we mean it! Here are some phenomenal product updates that started life as a user suggestion.

Essential Insights Into the Product Development Process
Marketing 10 min read

Essential Insights Into the Product Development Process

Prepare for launch with essential insights into the product development process.

Backlog Grooming: Definition, Benefits, and Best Practices
Project Management 5 min read

Backlog Grooming: Definition, Benefits, and Best Practices

Top backlog grooming best practices to supercharge your next product refinement session. Learn more about sprint grooming with Wrike.

A Product Manager’s New Friend: AI Has Entered the Chat (GPT)
Wrike TechClub 10 min read

A Product Manager’s New Friend: AI Has Entered the Chat (GPT)

Wrike’s Zosia Szczech explains how product managers can make the most of AI, including the pioneering Work Intelligence® solution.

Proof of Concept: Definition, Importance, and Examples
Project Management 10 min read

Proof of Concept: Definition, Importance, and Examples

Explore the significance of a proof of concept, its definition, and real-life examples. Learn how this crucial process validates ideas and drives innovation.

Navigating the Realm of Products Management: A Comprehensive Guide
Project Management 10 min read

Navigating the Realm of Products Management: A Comprehensive Guide

Product management is an essential function in any organization, playing a crucial role in the success and growth of a business. Whether you are a seasoned product manager or someone looking to break into this field, understanding the basics of product management is essential. This comprehensive guide will take you through the fundamentals, the product management process, and advanced strategies, providing you with valuable insights and techniques to navigate the realm of product management successfully. Understanding the Basics of Product Management Product management is crucial to businesses involving a range of strategic and tactical activities. It encompasses the development, marketing, and management of a product or service throughout its entire lifecycle. By understanding the basics of product management, businesses can effectively create and deliver products that meet customer needs and drive success. The Role of a Product Manager A product manager serves as the bridge between the business, customers, and the development team. First,  understanding customer needs lets manages gain insights on what customers actually want and need. They can accomplish this through market research, customer interviews, and data analysis. Second, defining product requirements involves translating customer needs into actionable specifications. This means gathering stakeholder feedback, conducting user testing, and iterating on the product to achieve the desired outcome. Third, prioritizing features requires making tough decisions about what to include in the product and what to leave out. By considering factors such as customer demand, market trends, and resource constraints, product managers can create a roadmap that outlines the sequence and timing of feature releases. Fourth, verifying that the final product aligns with the company's vision and goals is a key responsibility of product managers. They work closely with executives and other stakeholders to understand the strategic direction of the company so that the product supports these objectives. Lastly collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential to drive the product's success throughout its lifecycle. They work closely with engineering teams so that the product is developed according to specifications and quality standards, and collaborate with marketing teams to create effective go-to-market strategies and promotional campaigns.  Key Skills for Successful Product Management Having a solid understanding of business acumen is essential for product managers. They need to be able to analyze market dynamics, understand competitive landscapes, and identify opportunities for growth. By staying informed about industry trends and business strategies, product managers can make informed decisions that drive the product's success. Analytical thinking is also necessary, as it involves gathering and interpreting data to inform product decisions. They need to be able to analyze market research, customer feedback, and performance metrics to gain insights into product performance and identify areas for improvement. By using data-driven insights, product managers can make informed decisions that maximize the product's potential for success. Creativity is yet another important skill for product managers. They need to be able to think outside the box, come up with innovative solutions, and differentiate the product from competitors. By fostering a culture of creativity and encouraging diverse perspectives, product managers can drive product innovation and create unique value propositions. Effective communication is another ability to sharpen. Product managers need to be able to clearly articulate the product's value proposition to stakeholders and communicate complex ideas in a simple and compelling manner, whether it's to executives, developers, or customers. By being able to effectively communicate the product's vision, features, and benefits, product managers can gain buy-in and support from stakeholders. Strong leadership skills are essential as well, as product managers need to be able to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams. They must set clear goals, provide guidance and support, and hold teams accountable for delivering results. By being an effective leader, product managers can foster a collaborative and high-performing environment that drives the product's success. Moreover project management skills are crucial for product managers, as they need to be able to coordinate and prioritize tasks across multiple teams and stakeholders. They need to be able to create and manage project plans, set realistic timelines, and ensure that all tasks are completed on schedule. By effectively managing the product development process, product managers can ensure that the product is delivered on time and within budget. Lastly, problem-solving skills are also critical for product managers, as they need to be able to overcome challenges and find solutions to complex problems. They need to be able to think critically, analyze root causes, and develop strategies to address issues. By being a proactive problem solver, product managers can navigate obstacles and keep the product development process on track. The Product Management Process The product management process is a comprehensive and iterative approach that involves several stages, each crucial for the successful development and launch of a product.  Idea Generation and Market Research The first stage of the product management process is idea generation and market research. This is where product managers brainstorm and identify potential product ideas that align with the company's goals and customer needs. To make informed decisions, they conduct extensive market research, analyzing customer behavior, preferences, and pain points. They also assess the competitive landscape, studying competitor products, pricing, and marketing strategies. By gathering these insights, product managers can prioritize ideas and select the most promising ones to move forward with. During this stage, product managers may engage in activities such as customer interviews, focus groups, and surveys to gain a deeper understanding of customer needs and preferences. They also keep a close eye on industry trends, technological advancements, and market dynamics to ensure their product ideas are relevant and timely. Product Development and Design Once an idea is selected, the product development and design phase begins. In this stage, product managers work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers, designers, and stakeholders, to define product requirements and create prototypes. They collaborate with the development team to bring the product to life, so that it meets customer needs, adheres to technical specifications, and aligns with the overall product strategy. Product managers play a vital role in bridging the gap between the business and technical aspects of product development. They facilitate effective communication and decision-making, ensuring that the product's features and functionalities are well-defined and implemented. They also consider factors such as scalability, usability, and regulatory compliance during this stage. Product Launch and Marketing After product development, the focus shifts towards product launch and marketing. Product managers play a crucial role in developing go-to-market strategies, creating product positioning and messaging, and coordinating with marketing and sales teams to generate awareness and drive demand. During this stage, product managers work closely with the marketing team to develop marketing campaigns, promotional materials, and sales enablement tools. They conduct market segmentation to identify target customer segments and tailor marketing efforts accordingly. Pricing strategies are also determined, considering factors such as production costs, competitive pricing, and perceived value. Effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders are especially essential during the product launch and marketing stage. Product managers gather feedback from customers and sales teams, monitor market trends, and adapt marketing tactics to optimize product performance and maximize customer adoption. Post-Launch Product Evaluation Once the product is launched, product managers shift their focus to post-launch product evaluation. This stage involves monitoring the product's performance and conducting evaluations to gather insights and identify areas for improvement. Product managers track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales revenue, customer acquisition, and customer satisfaction to assess the product's success. They analyze customer feedback, both positive and negative, to understand user behavior, identify pain points, and uncover opportunities for enhancement. Additionally, product managers keep a close eye on market trends and competitive intelligence to stay ahead of the curve. They leverage data-driven insights to make informed decisions about product updates, feature enhancements, and future iterations. The post-launch product evaluation stage is crucial for continuous improvement and maintaining a competitive edge. Product managers collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement necessary changes, address customer pain points, and capitalize on opportunities for growth. Advanced Product Management Strategies Here are several tips for advanced product management. Managing Product Life Cycle  Product managers need to understand how products evolve over time, from the introduction phase to growth, maturity, and eventually decline. By implementing appropriate strategies at each stage, such as product diversification, pricing adjustments, and product extensions, product managers can maximize the product's lifespan and maintain continued market relevance. Product Portfolio Management Product portfolio management involves analyzing the performance of individual products within the portfolio, determining resource allocation, and implementing strategies to optimize the overall portfolio's value. By balancing investments, prioritizing high-potential products, and sunset or divesting low-performing offerings, product managers can ensure a well-managed and profitable product portfolio. Risk Management in Product Development Product managers need to identify and mitigate potential risks that could impact the product's success, including technical challenges, market uncertainties, or unforeseen customer reactions. By conducting thorough risk assessments, creating contingency plans, and fostering a culture of agility and adaptability, product managers can reduce the likelihood of setbacks and navigate challenges effectively. Lessons from Failed Product Management Failures in product management can be equally valuable in terms of lessons learned and knowledge gained. By studying failed products and understanding the pitfalls and challenges faced by other organizations, product managers can avoid making similar mistakes. These case studies shed light on the importance of proper market research, customer validation, iterative development, and the need to iterate and pivot when necessary. In conclusion, navigating the realm of product management requires a solid understanding of the fundamentals, the product management process, and advanced strategies. By incorporating these insights into your product management practices, you can enhance your skills, make informed decisions, and drive the success of your products in the highly competitive market landscape. Sail smoothly in the realm of product management with Wrike's comprehensive guide. Try our platform for free and lead your product teams to success. Note: This article was created with the assistance of an AI engine. It has been reviewed and revised by our team of experts to ensure accuracy and quality.

Mastering Product Lifecycle Management for Success
Project Management 10 min read

Mastering Product Lifecycle Management for Success

Mastering product lifecycle management (PLM) is essential for companies aiming for success. By understanding the key stages and implementing effective strategies, businesses can streamline their operations and maximize the potential of their products. However, navigating the complexities of PLM can be challenging. From understanding the concept to addressing market dynamics, this article will explore all aspects of PLM and provide valuable insights for businesses aiming to excel in this field. Understanding Product Lifecycle Management At its core, product lifecycle management (PLM) refers to the process of managing a product from its conception to its retirement. It encompasses various disciplines, including product development, supply chain management, marketing, and customer service. PLM allows companies to optimize their resources, reduce time to market, and enhance product quality. Effective product lifecycle management provides numerous benefits for companies. It enables businesses to align their products with market demands, optimize resource allocation, and improve decision-making. By systematically managing each stage of a product's life, organizations can maximize profitability, customer satisfaction, and competitive advantage. Key Stages of Product Lifecycle A product's lifecycle can be divided into four distinct stages: introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. Understanding these stages is crucial for developing appropriate strategies and allocating resources effectively. Introduction Stage First, a product is launched into the market. This is an exciting time for companies as they embark on a journey to bring their innovative ideas to life. They focus on generating awareness, building brand reputation, and attracting early adopters. Investments are made in research and development to ensure that the product meets the needs and desires of the target market. Marketing campaigns are carefully crafted to create a buzz and generate curiosity among potential customers. Market research also plays a vital role in gaining insights into consumer preferences and refining the product to meet their expectations. During this stage, companies face numerous challenges. They need to educate the market about the product's features, benefits, and unique selling points in order to create a strong brand identity that resonates with their target audience. Building trust and credibility is a must-have to gain a foothold in the market. They must strive to achieve this while carefully managing their resources and budgets. Growth Stage Next, sales of the product begin to increase rapidly. Market penetration expands as the product gains acceptance and recognition. Companies strive to capitalize on this momentum by scaling production, diversifying distribution channels, and enhancing customer support. Overall, this stage is an exciting time for businesses as they witness their product gaining traction and market share. As competition intensifies during the growth stage, companies need to stay ahead of the curve and continuously monitor market trends and consumer preferences to identify opportunities for improvement. Product enhancements are made to maintain market share and meet evolving customer needs. Businesses also focus on building strong relationships with their clients, providing excellent after-sales service, and ensuring customer satisfaction. Maturity Stage Then, the organization enjoys a period of stable sales and market saturation. At this point, the product has reached its peak level of acceptance and market share. The competition reaches its peak as numerous companies offer similar products and vie for the attention of consumers. In order to stand out in a crowded market, businesses need to differentiate their offerings. During this stage, companies focus on customer retention and loyalty by investing in strategies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and maintain profitability. They may explore opportunities in new markets or product variants to extend the product's lifecycle and may even constantly innovate and adapt to changing market dynamics to stay relevant. Decline Stage Lastly, sales begin to decline due to market saturation, changing consumer preferences, or the introduction of superior alternatives. This can be a challenging phase for companies as they face the inevitable decline of their once-popular product. At this point, they need to evaluate their options and make strategic decisions. Some may choose to discontinue the product and focus their resources on new ventures. Others may opt to invest in repositioning or revitalizing efforts to breathe new life into the product. Companies may also explore partnerships or collaborations to salvage the product's value. Regardless of the chosen path, the decline stage serves as a valuable learning experience for companies. It highlights the importance of continuous innovation, market research, and staying attuned to consumer preferences. It also emphasizes the need for organizations to be agile and adaptable in an ever-changing business landscape. The Stages in Greater Detail Now, let's delve deeper into the different stages of product lifecycle management: 1. Ideation After extensive brainstorming and generating of ideas to address a specific market need or problem, the product concept is born. Companies conduct market research, gather feedback from potential customers, and explore various design possibilities. For example, a team of engineers and designers might collaborate to come up with innovative features or functionalities that would differentiate the product from competitors. 2. Design Once the product concept is defined, the next stage is design. This requires translating the ideas into tangible product specifications. Designers create detailed drawings, 3D models, and prototypes to visualize and refine the product's form, function, and aesthetics. They must take into account factors such as manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, and regulatory compliance, and it is sometimes necessary to collaborate with manufacturing partners or suppliers to ensure the feasibility and efficiency of the design. 3. Production After the design is finalized, the product moves into the production stage. This is where the actual manufacturing process takes place. Organizations set up production lines, source raw materials, and establish quality control measures to guarantee consistent product quality. As each business will operate differently, they can approach production via mass or batch production or custom or lean manufacturing. 4. Distribution Once the products are manufactured, they need to be distributed to customers. Distribution channels can vary depending on the target market and product type. Companies may use a combination of direct sales, retail partnerships, e-commerce platforms, or distributors to reach their customers. They must take care of their logistics and inventory to deliver on time, process orders accurately, and provide customer support during this stage. 5. Disposal Eventually, products reach the end of their lifecycle and need to be disposed of responsibly. Disposal can involve recycling, repurposing, or proper disposal of hazardous materials. Businesses must comply with environmental regulations and strive to minimize their impact on the environment through product take-back programs that promote recycling and taking care of the environment. Implementing Product Lifecycle Management Implementing effective product lifecycle management requires careful planning and execution. Businesses can follow several key steps to ensure seamless integration and optimal outcomes. Setting Up a Cross-Functional Team A cross-functional team comprising representatives from various departments, such as design, engineering, marketing, and production, is essential for successful PLM implementation. This team will facilitate collaboration, provide valuable insights from different perspectives, and ensure smooth communication throughout the product's lifecycle. Each department brings unique expertise and knowledge to the table. While designers contribute their creative ideas and confirm that the product meets aesthetic and functional requirements, engineers offer technical expertise and check that the product is feasible and manufacturable. Marketers analyze market trends and customer needs to ensure that the product meets market demands. Also, production specialists provide valuable input on manufacturing processes and cost optimization. Utilizing Technology and Software Investing in suitable PLM software can significantly enhance product lifecycle management. These tools facilitate data management, streamline collaboration, and enable efficient decision-making.  PLM software offers a range of features and functionalities, including document management, version control, workflow automation, and collaboration tools. These tools enable teams to access and share information easily, track changes, and manage product data effectively. With real-time visibility into the product's lifecycle, businesses can make data-driven decisions, identify bottlenecks, and take proactive measures to ensure timely delivery and quality. Additionally, PLM software can integrate with other enterprise systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems, creating a centralized repository of information. This integration eliminates data silos and improves cross-functional collaboration for better coordination and efficiency. Aligning with Business Strategy Successful PLM implementation requires alignment with the overall business strategy. Companies need to ensure that their product offerings align with market trends, customer demands, and strategic objectives. Regular evaluation and adjustment of PLM strategies will keep organizations ahead of the competition and allow them to adapt to changing market dynamics. By analyzing market trends, customer preferences, and competitive landscape, businesses can identify opportunities and develop products that meet market demands. Regular feedback from customers and stakeholders can also provide valuable insights for product improvement and innovation. Furthermore, companies should continuously evaluate their PLM strategies to ensure they remain relevant and effective. This evaluation involves monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), such as time-to-market, product quality, and customer satisfaction. By tracking these metrics, businesses can identify areas for improvement, implement corrective actions, and optimize their PLM processes. Challenges in Product Lifecycle Management While product lifecycle management offers numerous advantages, businesses also face several challenges that need to be addressed to overcome potential obstacles and achieve success. Managing Product Complexity As products become increasingly complex, managing them throughout their lifecycle becomes more challenging. Companies need to effectively coordinate diverse teams, navigate intricate supply chains, and ensure seamless integration of various components. This requires meticulous planning, clear communication, and efficient project management. By utilizing advanced technologies such as computer-aided design (CAD) software and product data management (PDM) systems, businesses can streamline the design process and enhance collaboration among team members. Also, investing in training programs and fostering a culture of innovation can empower employees to tackle complex product challenges and optimize product lifecycle management (PLM). Furthermore, managing product complexity also requires addressing issues related to manufacturing and assembly. Companies must carefully evaluate the manufacturing process, identify potential bottlenecks, and implement efficient production methods. By leveraging automation technologies, such as robotics and artificial intelligence, businesses can improve production efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance product quality. Ensuring Regulatory Compliance In various industries, strict regulatory requirements govern product development, manufacturing, and disposal. Maintaining compliance throughout the product lifecycle is crucial to avoid legal consequences, damage to reputation, and potential harm to customers. Companies must stay updated with regulations specific to their industry and geographical location by actively monitoring regulatory changes, engaging with industry associations, and seeking legal advice when necessary. Establishing robust quality control processes is also essential to maintain regulatory compliance. This includes conducting thorough product testing, implementing quality assurance protocols, and documenting all relevant data. Regular audits should also be conducted to identify any deviations from compliance standards and take corrective actions promptly. Handling Market Dynamics The business landscape is characterized by ever-changing market dynamics, including shifting customer preferences, emerging technologies, and increasing competition. Therefore, adapting to these dynamics is essential to remain competitive.  Market research plays a crucial role in understanding customer needs, preferences, and expectations. By conducting comprehensive market research, businesses can identify emerging trends, assess market potential, and make informed decisions regarding product development and marketing strategies. Data analysis is also important in handling market dynamics. By leveraging big data analytics, businesses can gain valuable insights into customer behavior, market trends, and competitor activities. This enables them to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and respond swiftly to changing market conditions. Moreover, agility is key in navigating market dynamics. Companies must be willing to adapt their strategies, products, and processes to meet evolving market demands. This requires a flexible organizational structure, cross-functional collaboration, and efficient decision-making processes. Overall, mastering product lifecycle management is vital for businesses aiming for success. By understanding the different stages of the product lifecycle, implementing effective strategies, and addressing challenges, companies can optimize resources, maximize profitability, and maintain a competitive edge. With careful planning, cross-functional collaboration, and the utilization of technology, organizations can navigate the complexities of product lifecycle management and achieve sustainable growth. Master product lifecycle management with Wrike. Try our advanced platform for free to effectively manage your product's journey from inception to retirement. Note: This article was created with the assistance of an AI engine. It has been reviewed and revised by our team of experts to ensure accuracy and quality.

8 Best Product Management Certifications
Leadership 10 min read

8 Best Product Management Certifications

Discover the best product management certifications that can help you gain domain skills and kick-start your career as a product manager. Learn more with Wrike.

What Is Lead Time?
Project Management 10 min read

What Is Lead Time?

Lead time indicates how long it takes to go from start to finish. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the lead time meaning and how to calculate lead time.

What Is Agile SDLC and How Can Your Team Use It?
Project Management 10 min read

What Is Agile SDLC and How Can Your Team Use It?

Want to know more about the Agile software development life cycle and how you can use it to improve your team’s workflows? Read Wrike’s guide to the Agile SDLC.

New! Space Workflows: Automate Team, Cross-Functional, & Company-Wide Workflows with Wrike
Wrike Tips 7 min read

New! Space Workflows: Automate Team, Cross-Functional, & Company-Wide Workflows with Wrike

The Future of Work is hybrid, and many teams rely on seamless collaboration to get their best work done. The industry has taken notice, which you can see by the numbers: According to Forbes: 73% of respondents strongly prefer a holistic solution for cross-team collaboration. Deloitte Insights says that 83% of digital companies are leveraging cross-functional teams and empowering teams to take ownership of their process needs. Gartner’s “Market Guide for Collaborative Work Management” report says there is a growing demand for solutions to be flexible and scalable to specific business activities. This rising demand for better collaboration requires empowering teams to take ownership of how work is received, organized, and executed. Teams are looking for this level of autonomy to execute the work their way. Wrike gives teams this level of autonomy with Space Workflows, part our recent Wrike Lightspeed announcement.  Today we’re focusing on Space Workflows and their uniqueness to our platform. But first, a quick recap of what Spaces and workflows mean individually in Wrike. What are Spaces and workflows in Wrike? Spaces are a way to group work and the top level in Wrike’s folder hierarchy. Spaces enable organizations of all sizes to define and manage their departments at scale. They are centralized locations for all information relevant to your team, and every team can have its own Space to work autonomously. In addition, Spaces can act as hubs for the geo-location, organization unit, or special initiatives. Within a Space, there are two ways to interact — as an admin or a member. Team leaders, experts, or operations representatives commonly act as admins to manage the space and all items in it. Admins set up the work structure, processes, views, and tools relevant to their teams. Members can see a space on the home page, access it, and execute work within projects and other work items stored in the space. Workflows in Wrike define the different states a work item can be in over its lifecycle. Users can rely on default workflows, or create custom workflows to meet the team's needs.  Workflows standardize processes on a team, cross-functional or company-wide level, and let admins build robust processes when combined with Automation and other Wrike features.   What is Space Workflows? Space Workflows are one of the latest Space customization functionalities, empowering Space admins with the permission to set up their own processes, autonomous from broader organizational processes. This improved efficiency helps ensure that team workspaces are built and maintained appropriately by those familiar with specific teams' day-to-day workflows and activities.  The beauty of this new feature is multi-faceted: It eliminates the need to engage with an Account Admin every time there’s a minor process change. For instance, departmental operations teams, like Marketing Ops and DevOps, now have the power to run their team’s workflows at the Space level, while IT has control over processes established across the company using Wrike account settings.  Space Workflows are no-code, which empowers team managers to own their team’s work without requiring development skills or admin help. Wrike manages the views, dashboards, reports, and Analyze boards at the team level within the Space. Furthermore, Space Workflows help establish a more granular setup at different levels and reduce clutter, so there’s less chance of selecting the wrong workflow. How do Wrike Space Workflows set us apart from the competition? Traditional collaborative work management platforms force all teams to adhere to an overarching process or a singular rigid workflow. Wrike’s Space Workflows allow your teams to have more control over establishing a process workflow that matches your business and process needs. We provide more flexibility on which workflow is intended for each team's workspace, reducing confusion by separating organizational and departmental work processes.  So, what’s the key benefit? You can scale as a department or company by creating work spaces and processes configurable to each team’s unique needs. Space Workflows eliminate bottlenecks by not having to route process improvement needs directly through an Account Admin.  Key challenges and solutions that Space Workflows address Problem #1: Inefficiency in updating process changes Consider a situation where you have multiple Spaces in your account that require multiple workflows per Space. Anytime a workflow needs to be updated, only the Account Admin can make those updates, which slows down efficiency and creates bottlenecks. In addition, the Account Admin might not be familiar with a specific team’s workflow, which requires more back-and-forth conversations to ensure the correct adjustments are made. Solution: Space Admins can own their team’s workflows and independently manage all their building blocks, such as custom fields, request forms, reports, and dashboards. With this new feature, you can maximize Account Admin focus on account-wide solutions while fostering accountability and ownership to Space-level leads who are more familiar with their team's workflow process needs. Problem #2: Inaccurate tracking/reporting Too many workflow options to choose from increases the risk of team members selecting the wrong status from the wrong workflow, impacting how you report and filter project and task status. Solution: Demonstrate value by reporting on the correct status options and accurately assess where projects and tasks are across the team's intended workflow. The result? Consistent reporting across the board. Problem #3: Confusion about which workflow a team member should use It’s not uncommon to have multiple work streams requiring different workflows. But, you get inundated with the number of workflow options available to a project or task, which causes confusion about which status options and workflows to use. Solution: Wrike Space Workflows can keep workflows intentional to the Space level needs, ensuring team members select the right status options and effectively move work through the required workflow. How to get access to Space Workflows Better process management efficiency is possible, and good news for Wrike ‘Business,’ ‘Enterprise,’ and ‘Pinnacle’ customers — you have access to the new feature today!  Free users can upgrade their account via the subscription tab in the app or by contacting their Wrike success manager. ‘Team’ plan users have limited access to Space Workflows — one workflow — pre-configured to a use case template. When you upgrade, you will get full access to Space Workflows and experience more control with team processes, and you’ll unlock Custom Item Types, blueprints, and automated approvals too!

What Is a Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)?
Project Management 7 min read

What Is a Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)?

A requirements traceability matrix is an integral part of an embedded system's life cycle. It helps organizations ensure that their products are safe and are meeting their intended standards.  This is especially important for the medical, technology, and engineering industries. But any business that has a set of goals and standards to uphold can benefit from this proven requirements analysis tool.  Here’s how to make an effective requirements traceability matrix and why you should start one today.  What is a traceability matrix? A traceability matrix is a document that details the technical requirements for a given test scenario and its current state. It helps the testing team understand the level of testing that is done for a given product.  The traceability process itself is used to review the test cases that were defined for any requirement. It helps users identify which requirements produced the most number of defects during a testing cycle.  Not only does this show areas in need of improvement, but it also helps mitigate future roadblocks and identify process weaknesses.  What is a requirements traceability matrix? A requirements traceability matrix (RTM) is a tool that helps identify and maintain the status of the project’s requirements and deliverables. It does so by establishing a thread for each component. It also manages the overall project requirements. This method is straightforward and can be easily done by anyone.  There are many kinds of RTMs. For example, a test matrix is used to prove that tests were conducted. It can also be used to identify issues and requirements during the development of software. What are the benefits of a requirements traceability matrix? An RTM ensures that projects do everything they set out to do. This step-by-step process helps identify the requirements and the products that are required to be tested successfully. It also helps in determining the project's direction and timeline.  First, it will support the identification of all requirements in a work product. Then, it will check to make sure there is coverage of all the requirements throughout the project’s lifetime.  The RTM will show the requirements coverage in terms of the number of test cases, design status, and execution status. It will also show the UAT status for a specific test case. With all this information at your fingertips, your team will be able to analyze changes in requirements and make informed product development decisions on the fly.  And because traceability links artifacts across the development lifecycle, it helps teams identify and resolve issues before they become problems. It can also help avoid the pressure of an audit. And if you do get audited, having an RTM will make it easier to demonstrate that you have complied with regulations which means you can avoid additional expenses or delays the audit may cause.  You can even use it to track requirements from compliance regulations in a compliance matrix. That will help you understand what you need to test and develop before the work is finalized.  In a nutshell: a requirements traceability matrix makes it easier to meet goals and manage projects.  What do you include in a requirements traceability matrix? Create a simple chart with the following columns:  Requirements: Add sub-columns for marketing requirements, product requirements, and system-level specifications (if applicable). Testing: Add a sub column for test cases and test runs. Deviation: Add a sub-column for any issues.  Requirements traceability matrix example Here is a basic requirements traceability matrix example, including a description of the requirements, their business justification, and the status of the task.   How to create a requirements traceability matrix in Wrike The matrix should be created early in the project life cycle to ensure it is up-to-date and incorporates all the details necessary for the project to be successful. A project management tool like Wrike is perfect for tracking, organizing, and assessing every last rule.  First, gather your requirements list. Add them as individual projects in Wrike. Assign a due date, priority level, and set of corresponding tasks needed to achieve compliance to each one.  Next, each requirement must have a unique and clearly defined purpose. Add these details to the project or corresponding task description so that the assignee fully understands what they are trying to achieve.  Then, you can also use Wrike to securely plan for and store related materials. Supporting documents such as test scripts should be prepared ahead of the actual testing process. Simply create a task, set an approver, and add the final product to your Wrike files. Control who sees it with secure sharing.  Finally, identify gaps in coverage. If any defects are found during the test cases, then they can be listed and mapped with business requirements and test scenarios. In Wrike, you can assign each one to an individual or team. You can also add an Approver who will sign off on the task once it’s complete.  If there are any questions or comments, the collaborators can discuss them right within the task themselves, looping in colleagues using @mentions whenever another POV is needed. If a change request is made, you can view your existing project plans and give an informed evaluation of whether or not it can be done. If the answer is yes, you can then drag and drop project components for a new and accurate timeline. In Wrike, projects with tasks marked as dependent on one another will maintain these connections, so when you move them, you’ll still have all of your necessary components tied together, working uninterrupted.  Once your RTM is complete, you can duplicate your processes and workflows in Wrike by creating a template for the ones you plan to repeat. This saves time and adds a layer of standardization that is crucial for meeting requirements. And because the testing process should be clearly defined to avoid any confusion, using Wrike to do so will ensure that it is carried out according to the requirements and time constraints. Wrike provides a secure collaborative workspace to organize, test, and bring all your projects up to speed with your RTM. Ready to streamline your product development compliance? Start today with a two-week free trial of Wrike. 

What Is a Use Case?
Project Management 7 min read

What Is a Use Case?

What is a use case, and how can it help you align technical and business stakeholders? Learn more about how to write a use case with Wrike.

How To Write a Business Requirements Document (Template Included)
Project Management 10 min read

How To Write a Business Requirements Document (Template Included)

A business requirements document helps get vendors and project teams on the same page. Here’s how to create your own (and a template to get you started).

What are DORA Metrics? Why are They Important in DevOps?
Project Management 10 min read

What are DORA Metrics? Why are They Important in DevOps?

How do you improve DevOps and strengthen your operations? It all starts with measurement. You need to understand where you’re starting from and where you want to go.  When it comes to software delivery, there are different metrics development teams can use to measure and track performance. Teams need visibility into data to understand their strengths and weaknesses and how they can improve their DevOps capabilities.  That’s exactly why DORA created the four DORA metrics in DevOps. In this guide, we’re highlighting who DORA is, what the four DORA metrics are, and the pros and cons of using them. What are DORA Metrics? Before we outline the four key DORA metrics in DevOps, let’s cover a brief history lesson to understand where these metrics came from.  DevOps Research and Assessment (DORA) is a DevOps research team that Google acquired in 2018. DORA uses data-driven insights to deliver best practices in DevOps, with an emphasis on helping organizations develop and deliver software faster and better. Today, DORA continues to partner with the Google Cloud team to release DevOps research and reports to improve software delivery within organizations.  In their 2018 research report, Accelerate: The State of DevOps, DORA compiled insights from six years of research to identify four key metrics known as DORA metrics. You can use these four key metrics to measure the performance of a software development team and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your DevOps operations overall.  We’ll take a closer look at the four metrics soon, but for now, here’s a high-level overview: Deployment frequency Lead time for changes Change failure rate Time to restore service Since publishing the metrics, many organizations have started adopting and using them as the gold standard for software and DevOps teams.  What are the four key DORA metrics? Let’s look at each of the four key DORA metrics in detail to understand how they can help you measure your team’s performance.  1. Deployment frequency You might already be familiar with deployment frequency since it’s an essential metric in software production. Deployment frequency is about how frequently your organization or team deploys code changes to production. This ultimately reveals your team’s speed because it indicates how quickly your team delivers software. And while speed may be viewed in a positive light, it’s crucial to keep quality top of mind. Frequency matters, but you also want to deliver value to your users. So, is there a right or wrong answer when it comes to deployment frequency? Not necessarily, but DORA qualified different deployment schedules in their 2018 report. In Accelerate: State of DevOps 2018, DORA suggested that elite performers are available on demand and commit to multiple deploys per day. High performers deploy between once per day and once per hour, while medium and low performers are between once per week and once per month. Don’t panic if you’re currently sitting in the low or medium-performer groups. There’s always room to improve and shift your way toward becoming an elite performer who delivers smaller code changes more frequently. 2. Lead time for changes This is another metric that can be used to measure the speed of your team. Lead time for changes is defined as the amount of time it takes one commit to get into production. In other words, how long does it take to move from code commit to code running successfully in production?  You can calculate the lead time for changes by averaging the lead time for changes over a period of time for various commits. Calculating the mean is important because no two changes are the same and lead time will vary across different scopes and types of changes. Why does this metric matter? It measures how quickly your team can respond to needs and fixes, which is crucial in the development world. Your team can better plan how much to commit to with an understanding of how long it takes to get your changes in production. And perhaps most importantly, this metric is essential for helping your customers. If your customer has an urgent bug that requires fixing, they likely won’t want to work with a team that will take weeks to deliver a fix versus a team that can get them back up and running within hours. A team that’s able to produce changes quickly will keep customers satisfied.  According to DORA’s research, elite performers have a lead time for changes that’s less than an hour. Talk about a quick turnaround! High performers turn around changes somewhere between one day and one week. Medium performers fall between one week and one month, while low performers take between one and six months.  If we go back to the customer who needs an urgent fix on their application, do you think they’re more likely to work with a high or low-performing team? While the answer might be based on many factors, it seems most likely that a customer would choose the quicker turnaround time and stick with the high-performing team.  3. Change failure rate Next up is the change failure rate, or, simply stated, a measurement of the percentage of deployments that cause failures in production.  Deployment frequency was all about the speed of deploying code changes in production, and change failure rate emphasizes the quality of the changes being pushed to production. It’s important to note that a failure in production can be different depending on the software or application. A failure might be a rollback, patch, service outage, or degraded service. When using this metric, it’s essential to define what a failure is in your work for your team.  It goes without saying that you want to keep your change failure rates low. While it’s inevitable to avoid failures completely most of the time, you don’t want to lead to team or customer frustration. As you measure your losses, make it a team goal to learn from them so you can perform better the next time around.  DORA classifies elite, high, and medium performers at a 0-15% change failure rate and low performers at a 46-60% change failure rate. Diving into change failure rate even further, DORA reported that elite performers have seven times lower change failure rates than low performers.  4. Time to restore service And finally, we have the time to restore service, also known as the time to recovery.  Let’s face it – service interruptions and outages aren’t ideal, but they do happen. While they might not always be avoidable, what’s important is how you respond to them. The time to recover or restore service measures how long it generally takes to restore service when an incident such as an unplanned outage occurs. It’s critical to recover and restore service as quickly as possible. The goal of optimizing time to recovery is to minimize downtime and prepare to diagnose and correct issues when they occur. According to DORA, elite performers can recover in less than an hour. High and medium-performing groups take less than a day to restore service, while low performers can take anywhere between one week and one month to get back on track. Improving your time to recovery is a great way to impress your customers.  Why use DORA metrics? So, why should you use DORA DevOps metrics? Sure, metrics and performance measurement are valuable, but what is it about DORA metrics that makes them uniquely reliable? DORA has been researching and studying DevOps for years. They consistently and regularly publish their findings and insights to evolve and drive DevOps teams. DORA is, without a doubt, a well-known leader in the industry and its expertise is trustworthy and valuable. The four key metrics didn’t fall from thin air – they’re rooted in data-driven research. Additionally, the DORA metrics will give you a broad understanding of your team’s delivery levels and capability. The metrics can be used to identify how you compare to competitors in your industry, and most importantly, they can help you better grow and take care of your team.  When you measure and track DORA metrics over time, you will be able to make well-informed decisions about process changes, team overheads, gaps to be filled, and your team’s strengths. These metrics should never be used as tools for criticism of your team but rather as data points that help you build an elite DevOps organization.  What are the pitfalls of DORA metrics? DORA metrics are great tools to use, but as with any form of measurement, there are some considerations to keep in mind.  It’s challenging to use one set of metrics for different products and teams because no two products or teams are the same. Your product might be more complex than someone else’s. Your team might be three times smaller than another development team. Every team operates within its own context and circumstances, so it may be more challenging for certain teams to become an elite performing group.  Another consideration worth noting is that there’s more to the picture than the DORA metrics alone. Teams who perform in the elite or high category across the four DORA metrics may appear to be successful, but they could be having other issues that aren’t accounted for outside of these metrics. It’s important to remember that there’s a bigger picture beyond these measurements. They aren’t the be-all and end-all, so be sure to keep that in mind.  Recording your DORA metrics in Wrike If you want to support your developers and product teams further, consider using a project management solution like Wrike to track your DORA metrics, assign tasks to the team, and manage the software development process in one centralized location.  Whether your teams follow Agile or another methodology, Wrike can help structure your software project management and make it more seamless. Get started with a free trial today.

How to Launch a Product in 2 Weeks (Work Management Roundup)
Leadership 3 min read

How to Launch a Product in 2 Weeks (Work Management Roundup)

Friday is here, which means the Work Management Roundup is back with links to the week's helpful articles on productivity, product management workflow, startups, team building, management, and technology. Read on! From Zero to Product in 14 Days (Medium): Ben Hoffman walks us through how he and his team built Venture Route in two weeks. An insightful look into the planning and execution of a startup's minimum viable product aimed at serving the VC community. Singing is the Best Team-Building Exercise, Study Shows (Yahoo! Finance Canada): Here's something that our colleagues in Asia have known for quite some time — karaoke singing is an awesome team activity. It allows people to let their guard down in a fun setting. All you really need is a venue... and maybe some Bon Jovi. The One Side Project per Year Challenge (Medium): Stuck wondering which side project to spend time doing? Here's a suggestion: start one side project per year. You dispense with analysis paralysis by cutting down your choices to just one and you set a 12-month time frame that forces you to buckle down and get to work. Tony Schwartz’s Internet Addiction (and Why You Should Care) (Cal Newport's Study Hacks): When a person like Tony Schwartz admits he struggles with cutting back his Internet time, that's when you know it's a serious problem. He's made a career out of coaching people to reach their full potential and yet found it easier to quit soda and alcohol than to lessen screen time. Let's face it: his struggle is our struggle too. Digital Natives: Creating and Maintaining a Work/Life Balance at Home (Fresh Business Thinking): Three concrete strategies on maintaining productivity even within a potentially distracting home office setting. More Work Management Reads Think About This: Dropbox’s Move Reminds Us Teams Must Evolve Beyond Email (Wrike) 50 Free Apps to Make you an Incredibly Productive Person (Fast Company) 23 Best Productivity Hacks of the Year (Inc) Go Try This: Stock Your Break Room for Better Productivity [Infographic] (Wrike) 5 Rules for Building a Family Friendly Startup for Grownups (Fast Company) 9 Aggressive Time Management Techniques (Sharepoint Aaron) Browse The Work Management Roundup on Flipboard If you use Flipboard on your mobile device, then you can choose to read these links via The Work Management Roundup magazine. View my Flipboard Magazine.

25 Must-Read Books for Product Managers & Product Marketers
Marketing 10 min read

25 Must-Read Books for Product Managers & Product Marketers

Are you new to the world of product management and product marketing? Or maybe you just want to pick up a few new reads to expand your skills?  Instead of browsing the bookshelves at your favorite local bookshop and choosing one at random, take a look at our list of the best product management books and product marketing reads for tried-and-true recommendations from the PMM community. Product Managers Why read product management books? Product management is an ever-evolving field. Whether you’re a complete newbie hoping to learn the ropes or an experienced IT product manager trying to keep up with changing trends, product management books have a lot to offer.  Here are five benefits you can gain from reading some of the best product management books: On the job training can teach you what to do, but books help you learn the ‘why’; They can teach you the theory and reasoning behind the practices, and research shows that we all perform better when we understand why things are a certain way.  Product management involves a lot of jargon and unique technical terms. The top product management books can help you grasp the lingo, so you’re comfortable using it and understanding it at work.  Reading is proven to help improve memory and focus. If you’re struggling to learn product management through other means, like podcasts or videos, then books may be a great way to take in and remember relevant information.  Studies show that reading books also improves your communication skills. As a product manager or product marketer, a huge part of your job is communicating with team members, customers, and other stakeholders.  Product managers must always be looking for new ways to improve their products and offer new innovations to the market. The must-read product management books on this list can help you discover new methods and better processes while also boosting your creativity.  We’ve broken down our top product management books into four main categories: The best product management books for beginners The top books focused on user experience (UX) and product development strategy Must-read books on web design and usability The best books for product managers wanting to perfect the product development process  Product management books for beginners 1. Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology  Authors: Gayle Laakmann McDowell & Jackie Bavaro While Cracking the PM Interview isn’t exactly new (it’s from 2013), it has remained on Amazon.com’s list of bestsellers in technical project management for quite some time and is currently holding the #1 spot.  This book is more than a primer on which interview questions to prep for or how to write a killer product management resume (although this book covers both).  McDowell and Bavaro get to the core of what the position of a product manager really is. In it, you’ll get to examine the role from all sides to learn not only how to land a job, but master your daily responsibilities and advance your career as well. 2. Escaping the Build Trap: How Effective Product Management Creates Real Value Author: Melissa Perri Released in 2018, Escaping the Build Trap covers essential product management principles that can be applied to any company, no matter the size. Perri, the author, is the CEO of a product management consultancy, and she brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge and actionable advice to her readers.  Rated 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com, this book offers value to beginners and experienced PMs alike. Containing only 200 pages, it’s a relatively quick read, packed full of product management wisdom.  3. The Product Manager's Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know to Succeed as a Product Manager  Author: Steven Haines Just released in 2019, the second edition of The Product Manager's Survival Guide maintains all the value of the first, but now with more actionable advice, techniques, and tools for success.  Follow this book's blueprint for graduating from novice to confident product manager. Start by understanding the keys to success, then learn how to become a product expert and customer advocate so that you can effectively manage your teams, increase productivity, and further your career. 4. Product Management for Dummies Authors: Brian Lawley & Pamela Schure Part of the “for Dummies” series, Product Management for Dummies is a useful and popular book for product management novices. Written by two product management experts, this easy-to-understand guide is full of essential and actionable info.  This comprehensive reference offers easy-to-understand explanations of the essentials of product management, from defining the product life cycle and creating a winning product strategy to gathering customer feedback. With a 4.5 star rating, this book is clearly an essential addition to your product management toolkit — whether you're a novice or intermediate product manager.  5. The Product Book: How to Become a Great Product Manager Authors: Josh Anon & Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia. Based on Product School’s curriculum, The Product Book introduces product management students and beginners to key PM concepts and practices. It’s a helpful resource for anyone considering taking on more formal product management education but unsure whether it’s the right career path.  Full of recent and relevant examples from huge well-known companies such as Facebook, Google, and more, this 294-page book will help bring product management to life.   Books about user experience & product development strategy 6. Inspired: How To Create Tech Products Customers Love  Author: Marty Cagan The latest version of Inspired was released in 2017 and has 4.5 stars on Amazon.com. Like the initial version, it’s a ‘masterclass’ book on how to design and develop better products. But, this release embraces new techniques and practices to ensure it’s still fresh and useful to product managers today.  Unless your product is valuable, usable, and feasible, it’s not worth building. So says Marty Cagan, whose book takes you through how you should decide which products and designs to pursue, how to prove your proposed product will be successful, defining a minimum viable product, and juggling the conflicting needs of execs, customers, sales, engineering, and design. 7. User Friendly: How the Hidden Rules of Design Are Changing the Way We Live, Work, and Play Authors: Cliff Kaung & Robert Fabricant Voted Amazon Best Books of 2019 Pick and Fortune Writers and Editors’ Recommended Books of 2019 pick, User Friendly is a must-read for anyone interested in product design and development.  The authors map out how user experience (UX) has evolved and changed our world over time in a story-driven style that’s engaging to read. It’s an insightful piece that might make you look at UX and product development in a whole new way.  8. Beyond The Prototype: A roadmap for navigating the fuzzy area between ideas and outcomes Author: Douglas Ferguson Beyond The Prototype is all about what to do after you complete your first design sprint, and the optimistic enthusiasm starts to wear off. Author Douglas Ferguson tackles the struggles many teams face after getting to prototype and how to overcome them.  Using compelling stories from popular companies such as Adobe and Google, this guide walks you through six essential steps for successful product launches. If you want a usable framework to help take you from idea to product validation, you’ll find it here.  Web design & usability books for product managers 9. 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People  Author: Dr. Susan Weinschenk The second edition of 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People was just released in June 2020. In it, Dr. Weinschenk uses her 30+ years as a behavioral psychologist to offer strategies for improving your site's user experience and boosting conversion. Design isn't just pretty, it's purposeful. You want people to respond to your website in a certain way, or take a specific next action? Learn why people act the way they do. What grabs their attention? Is peripheral or central vision more important? What’s the best length for a line of text? What fuels people's actions? Read this book to find out.  10. Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web & Mobile Usability, 3rd Edition  Author: Steve Krug While Don't Make Me Think, Revisited hasn’t been updated since 2013, it still remains Amazon.com’s #1 Best Seller in their User Experience & Web Usability category. First published in 2000, this bestseller is still an essential guide for web designers and developers.  The updated third edition includes fresh examples and a new section on mobile usability, plus tips to make navigation intuitive, user testing efficient (so you can do it more often), and your user experience seamless across all devices. 11. Designing with the Mind in Mind: Simple Guide to Understanding User Interface Design Guidelines Author: Jeff Johnson Just released in October 2020, the 3rd Edition of Designing with the Mind in Mind is a refreshed version of an essential guide on usability and user interface (UI) design. If you’re a product manager involved in digital design projects, looking for a crash course in UI principles, this is the book for you.  From this book, you’ll gain a basic understanding of why user-interface design has to follow certain rules and the perceptual and cognitive psychology behind the guidelines. You’ll also have a better grasp of why your design team makes some of the choices they do.    Books on perfecting the development process 12. The Toyota Product Development System: Integrating People, Process, and Technology Authors: James Morgan & Jeffrey K. Liker Just released in October 2020, The Toyota Product Development System takes a deep dive into what makes Toyota one of the most forward-thinking product development companies in the automotive industry.  This book compares and contrasts the world-class product development process of Toyota with an unnamed US competitor to help emphasize process best practices and how they can impact your business success. 13. Product Lifecycle Management (Volume 1): 21st Century Paradigm for Product Realisation Author: John Stark The 4th edition of Product Lifecycle Management, released in October 2020, offers an expanded version of this cornerstone text. It’s been updated to reflect important technological advances and how they’ve impacted the product life cycle.  This must-read guide covers everything you need to know about product life cycle management (PLM), from the main components of PLM initiatives to best practices and environmental considerations you need to keep in mind.  14. Building For Everyone: Expand Your Market With Design Practices From Google's Product Inclusion Team Author: Annie Jean-Baptiste Building For Everyone is about how you can build better products by focusing on promoting diversity and inclusion in your workforce. This practical guide will walk you through how to follow Google’s footsteps of building a Product Inclusion Team to improve your design process.  After reading this book, you’ll know essential strategies and processes for executing more inclusive product designs that will help increase your company’s profitability. Plus, it includes real-life recent case studies on what does and doesn’t work so you can avoid the mistakes of those who came before you.  15. Inside Your Customer's Imagination: 5 Secrets for Creating Breakthrough Products, Services, and Solutions Author: Chip R. Bell With 5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.com, Inside Your Customer's Imagination is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their product development processes. Author Chip Bell walks you through proven processes for designing and developing breakthrough products your customers don’t even know they want yet. With the use of examples from big-name companies like McDonald’s, Lockheed Martin, and Marriott, Bell illustrates how partnering with your customers can help you discover a treasure trove of innovations and process improvements.  16. Build What Matters: Delivering Key Outcomes with Vision-Led Product Management Authors: Ben Foster & Rajesh Nerlikar In Build What Matters, authors Ben Foster and Rajesh Nerlikar walk you through their methodology for building products that will meet current and future customer needs. This guide emphasizes the importance of the customer in product development and introduces ways to always keep that fact top-of-mind.  This book will introduce you to 10 dysfunctions common to product development processes and then walk you through tactical ways to avoid these traps. Whether you’re a start-up founder, a product leader, or a high-level executive, you’ll find actionable advice in this book that can help improve your business processes.  Top books for product marketers We’ve divided our top product marketer books into two main categories: The best books for helping you fuel customer adoption Must-read books about product marketing strategy and best practices Books on fueling customer adoption 17. Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products Authors: Nir Eyal & Ryan Hoover Hooked is a guide for product marketers, managers, and designers about building products that people want to use. It includes insights into creating user habits and understanding behavioral techniques. Plus, you’ll walk away with actionable advice on how to build and market products that people will love.  In this book, you’ll learn a four-step model for building customer habits so that users willingly come back for more, over and over. This guide brings technology, psychology, and business together in a way that will improve your product marketing outcomes and boost your customer adoption and retention rates.   18. The Four Steps to the Epiphany Author: Steve Blank The Four Steps to the Epiphany is commonly thought to be one of the most influential business books of all time. In this updated version, released March 2020, author Steve Blank brings even more insights and relevant examples to the table.  Too often, development teams build a product, and when customers don’t bite, they scrap it and try again. Instead, Steve Blank focuses on Customer Development — a concept that’s since become one of the three pillars of the Lean startup. Learn how to pinpoint the right product for your specific market, using techniques that have helped launch over 10,000 startups and corporate ventures. 19. The Sales Acceleration Formula: Using Data, Technology, and Inbound Selling to Go from $0 to $100 Million Author: Mark Roberge The author of The Sales Acceleration Formula, Mark Roberge, is an MIT alum with an engineering background that he has applied to sales and marketing. In this book, Roberge promotes the replacement of conventional sales methods with a more metric-driven, process-oriented approach.  From this book, you'll learn the techniques Roberge used as SVP of Worldwide Sales and Services at HubSpot to help the company grow from a small, three-person startup to a giant success with a billion-dollar valuation and over 15,000 customers.  20. The Unicorn Project: A Novel about Developers, Digital Disruption, and Thriving in the Age of Data Author: Gene Kim The Unicorn Project, a highly anticipated follow-up to the bestselling title The Phoenix Project, is written as an engaging novel, but that doesn’t make its messaging any less true or relevant to real-world product marketers, developers, and managers.  Gene Kim is a multi-award winning CTO and the founder of Tripwire. In this novel, he introduces five ideals required for product success and discusses internal structures every technology company needs.  Books about product marketing strategy & best practices 21. Product Marketing, Simplified: A Customer-Centric Approach to Take a Product to Market Author: Srini Sekaran Product Marketing, Simplified is a comprehensive guide on the world of product marketing. Whether you want to learn more about improving product launches or delivering greater value to the right customers, this book is packed full of valuable info.  This guide walks you through the entire product marketing process, including how to understand the customer journey, build a go-to-market strategy, determine pricing and packaging, and influence the product roadmap. 22. Marketing of High-Technology Products and Innovations (3rd Edition)  Authors: Stanley J. Slater, Jakki J. Mohr, & Sanjit Sengupta Marketing of High-Technology Products and Innovations provides a comprehensive introduction to the world of tech marketing. This book explains all the variables you'll need to consider when launching a product, as well as the logistics for managing the process.  From migration paths and types of innovations to managing customer relationships, you'll find a good balance of theory and real-world examples to get the knowledge you need in the world of tech marketing. 23. Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen Author: Donald Miller Building a StoryBrand will introduce you to seven essential elements of powerful stories. By using these elements in your product marketing, you’ll be able to improve customer engagement and boost your success rates.  This guide breaks down seven story points that resonate with every human, the reasoning behind why customers make the buying decisions they do, and how to create the most effective branding and marketing messages for your product and business.  24. Swipe to Unlock: The Primer on Technology and Business Strategy Authors: Neel Mehta, Aditya Agashe & Parth Detroja Swipe to Unlock was written by three product managers at Facebook, Google, and Microsoft, and it’s one of Amazon.com’s #1 Best Sellers. This is a must-read book for any product marketer, product manager, or consultant in the tech industry. The latest edition was released in 2019 and includes over 40 pages of new content. It includes a wealth of case studies on huge companies and covers essential product marketing topics such as current and future trends, emerging markets, and more.  25. To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others Author: Daniel Pink Whether you’re pitching a colleague on a new idea, convincing your manager to support a passion project, or trying to sway a customer to switch from freemium to paid, we all spend our days trying to move others to act.  In To Sell is Human, bestselling author Daniel Pink teaches you how to truly understand another person’s perspective and craft clear, persuasive marketing messages. What’s next? Are you interested in learning what is a product owner, product management, and product marketing? Maybe you’re looking for a special niche topic you didn’t see mentioned in any of these books?  Check out our blog to keep up-to-date on all the emerging trends and latest technology in the product management space.  You can also test out our product management software free for 14-days to discover how it can improve your product management and marketing teams. 

How To Create a Product Roadmap
Project Management 10 min read

How To Create a Product Roadmap

Learn how to create a product roadmap that communicates your high-level product plan and conveys goals and priorities to stakeholders and team members.

10 Fun New Ways to Use Your Backlog
Wrike Tips 7 min read

10 Fun New Ways to Use Your Backlog

We’re always looking for fun and creative new ways to use Wrike. The backlog may seem pretty straightforward: stash stuff in there for a rainy day, or if you solve problems with Agile, use it for sprint planning. But there are actually quite a few interesting ways to use the backlog that you may not have considered. Here are 10 different ways to make the most of your backlog: 1. Track High-level Goals.  Looking for a product backlog example? Not everything you put in Wrike will be tied to specific projects or individual action items. Keeping quarterly goals, product ideas, and long-term plans in the backlog makes it easy to remember the big picture and see everything you want to accomplish — which can help you prioritize wisely. And if you put these items on your Wrike Dashboard, they'll never be “out of sight, out of mind.” When life gives you a window of opportunity or the stars align, you can instantly say, “Now’s the perfect time to _____!”  In the same vein, you can use these backlogged goals as parent tasks. Create every actionable task as a subtask to at least one goal. This shows which long-term effort the work is supporting. Using the backlogged goals this way will help make sure all your time is devoted to worthwhile efforts. 2. Complete Creative Projects.  Compose song lyrics or creative writing pieces in your backlog, letting them marinate until inspiration strikes. They’re always at hand when the perfect lyric or headline pops up, and you can take full advantage of the Time Slider (revision history) tool. Since Wrike tracks every keystroke and lets you revert to previous versions, you can let your creativity off the leash and just play without worrying about losing any of the good stuff. The revision history slider is also a pretty cool way to get a timelapse view of your unique creative process.  3. Write Routine Lists.  Keep track of wish lists, grocery lists, movies to watch, books to read, bands to check out, and more in your personal backlog. Once they’re in Wrike, it’s easy to share these lists if you choose, and you can view them from your mobile devices.  4. Plan Trips and Events.  Say you start planning a trip to one of the destinations on your backlogged “Travel Europe” bucket list. You can easily create a folder to keep track of the growing number of details like itineraries, confirmations, packing lists, maps, guides, and more. And since it’s backlogged, your info is always at hand when you need it (like at the airport).  The same goes for planning events: a task called “Plan Jen’s Surprise Party” can easily grow into a folder with invite lists and RSVPs, menus and recipes, gift ideas, music playlists, and more. 5. Stash Your Read Later/Watch Later Items.  One of my personal favorite uses for the backlog is to make it my virtual back pocket. I often come across interesting articles, videos, and TED Talks that pique my curiosity while link surfing, typically when I’m researching an unrelated project, or a link shared by a colleague or friend. It’s the kind of stuff I want to keep for reference, or save to peruse when I have more time. Instead of bookmarking it or emailing myself the link, I use the Wrike Chrome Extension to automatically create a task in my dedicated "Back Pocket" folder of Wrike. I backlog the task, take a screenshot of the page if I want, and always have it right there to look at later. 6. Store Your Knowledge Base.  The backlog is the perfect spot to keep useful tidbits, whether you’re logging personal reference items (think Emergency Maintenance numbers, contact info for doctors and dentists, a list of good babysitters, that article on magical baking soda cleaning solutions) or sharing professional ones like notes on competitors, administrative passwords, routine IT/troubleshooting tips, vacation schedules/PTO request forms, best practices, and templates.  7. Track Inventory (Like a Librarian).  This one we picked up from our customer Tisso Naturprodukte: make Wrike your office librarian! If your office has a stash of books to borrow, you can easily keep track of them using the backlog. Here’s how Tisso Naturprodukte’s system works: each book gets its own task. When someone wants to check it out, they assign it to themselves and set a due date for when they plan to bring it back. Once they return it, they unassign themselves and clear the due dates again. You can also use folder tags to keep track of equipment or supplies, tagging backlogged tasks with their specific location or status. 8. Keep Agendas and Meeting Minutes.  If you have upcoming meetings with clients or colleagues, the backlog can be a great place to stash agenda items or reminders for things you’d like to bring up. If they’re shared agendas, two mouse clicks can bring someone else into the loop. Now you can avoid that nagging “I know I was supposed to talk to her about something” feeling, and use the backlog as your personal book of reminders. 9. Log Research.  Some projects just don’t conform to a set timeline. Long-term, ongoing research is one of them. Instead of trying to shoehorn these items into rigid deadlines or constantly rescheduling them, simply set up a backlog of tasks. Log every piece of acquired knowledge as a backlogged task in your "Project Research" folder, then rearrange your tasks to create a mind map. You’ll be able to see all the pieces of the puzzle, make new connections, and organize your thoughts or process. A new breakthrough could be just around the corner! 10. Collect Personal Interests/Reminders.  Keep a running list of potential weekend activities, personal best mile times, good habits you want to pick up — anything that’s ongoing you want to track or be reminded of. I like to keep a task at the top of my backlog widget on my Wrike Dashboard called “Sit Up Straight!” It catches my eye every time I check my Dashboard and reminds me to work on my posture. Once I’ve kicked that bad habit to the curb, I can replace it with a new one.  Your turn! How do you use your backlog? Share your genius tips in the comments!

What Is Product Management?
Project Management 10 min read

What Is Product Management?

Product management operations ensure a product’s life cycle is efficiently managed from start to finish. Learn more about product management tools with Wrike.

Product Development Tips from the Wright Brothers (Video)
Leadership 3 min read

Product Development Tips from the Wright Brothers (Video)

Roll out the red carpet! Pop the popcorn! Dim the lights! We’re premiering the first in a series of videos on Lean methodology, featuring your very own productivity coach, Errette Dunn. This first video applies Lean principles to the product development process, taking examples from the history of flight and the Wright brothers’ amazing success. You’ll learn: how to shake up your process for better results the most important first step for every stage to watch for costly assumptions that could trip you up Make your product development process more efficient, the Wright way. Hit ‘play’ now!  Like this video? Share it with your friends and colleagues!  The second installment of our video series is coming soon, so keep checking the Wrike blog — or better yet, subscribe to our YouTube channel! Related Articles: 5 Lessons in Lean Product Development from the Wright Brothers (Infographic) Startups Should Lean on Lean Project Management

5 Lessons in Lean Product Development from the Wright Brothers (Infographic)
Project Management 3 min read

5 Lessons in Lean Product Development from the Wright Brothers (Infographic)

Good product development is crucial to your company's success, whether it's a small business startup or a huge corporation. Product delays or failures can mean falling behind competitors, or (worst case scenario) a failed launch. When developing your next product, look to the Wright brothers for Lean project management lessons to help your project soar. Want to share this image on your site? Use the embed code below: Wrike Social Collaboration Software We've got more fun infographics on the way, so stop by the blog again soon. Or better yet, subscribe!   Author Bio: Emily Bonnie is a Content Marketing Manager at Wrike. Her brain is stuffed with obscure grammar rules, Star Wars trivia, and her grandmother’s pie recipes. Twitter | LinkedIn  

New Enterprise Features: Visualize, Customize Your Product Development Workflow
News 3 min read

New Enterprise Features: Visualize, Customize Your Product Development Workflow

Workflows are unique to every organization. Each company creates and releases products in its own idiosyncratic fashion. That's why it's important to use tools that mold to your specific way of working, instead of struggling to do it the other way around. The latest features in Wrike Enterprise let users customize their experience so they can set up Wrike to fit the unique way they work. But what is workflow automation and how exactly can Wrike help? Finding the Right System Consider ACMEsoft, a (fictional) software development startup only two weeks away from launching their initial product — a game-changing wearable device that's platform-agnostic and powered by customizable open source code. Everyone is feeling the pressure to deliver, and cross-departmental teams are collaborating around the clock. But their product management vs product development team is encountering several huge problems: urgent tasks are falling through the cracks, and with people getting burned out and sick from all the sleepless nights they have fewer resources to accomplish the same amount of work. Plus, they're discovering that project management by email is a beast that is only hurting their efforts. So the ACMEsoft team is evaluating several enterprise project management solutions. They're finding it challenging to decide on a software that can adapt to their unique combination of Agile and Kanban. After a brief but intense review of the best product management software, the company decides on Wrike. How Wrike's Enterprise Features Adapt to Your Workflow With Wrike as their centralized work system, the product development team has streamlined their process. They no longer have to jump between their different tools (email, IM, bug tracker, cloud file storage) to find the latest information. And because of the flexibility of Wrike's folder system, they can create a workflow that matches their hybrid PM methodology. As users of the Enterprise plan, ACMEsoft uses the Critical Path feature to see the longest chain of dependent tasks for their project. The development team is then able to focus on the vital string of events that must be accomplished to meet their deadline. Once they review the critical path, they can reassign people to get those key tasks done on time, setting aside less important work to be completed only if there is time. They are also now able to customize their analytics reports and attach them to the dashboard — picking and choosing which charts (baseline, work progress, performance, tasks by users) greet them at every login. And with the new Wrike Enterprise, they're using multiple, Shareable Dashboards to create an overview that the whole team will see. Project managers can share project-specific dashboards with the team with their special Agile+Kanban-type widgets, and align everyone on overdue items, the project baseline, and progress charts. They can also share department-specific dashboards with executives to give a high-level snapshot of what's getting done. All this visibility into what's going on lets the entire company know which features are close to completion, and which deadlines are need more attention. Discover how Wrike's new Enterprise features can bring order to your chaos.

Your 5 Best Books on Product Management & Product Marketing
Project Management 5 min read

Your 5 Best Books on Product Management & Product Marketing

We asked readers for their recommended product management and product marketing books.