Image was generated using Dall-E. It talks about importance of feedback vs opinion for product management.
This blog post talks about the importance of discerning the nature and value of the input (feedback & opinion) Product Managers receive while building products.
The Sources of Product “Feedback”
Product feedback primarily comes from those who are intimately acquainted with the problem space and user needs.
- Customers (duh!): Customers possess an in-depth understanding of their problems and constraints of solving them. Their insights are invaluable in shaping a product that genuinely solves real-world issues.
- Customer-Facing Teams (e.g., Sales, Support): These teams interact with customers regularly, gaining firsthand insight into their needs, pain points, and expectations. This direct exposure positions them as a vital source of high-quality feedback.
- Internal Teams with regular customer Interaction (Product teams, etc): These teams engage with customers with clear objectives, gathering feedback that's both relevant and actionable.
- Experts in the Problem Space: Individuals with deep domain knowledge can provide specialised feedback that addresses the nuances of the problem space.
Sources of Product “Opinion”
Opinions, while varied, are a constant in the product management landscape. They range in quality and relevance.
- People deeply interested in the problem space : High-Quality Opinions come from individuals deeply interested in or affected by the problem space. Their perspectives, though not direct feedback, can offer valuable insights.
- Functional Experts (Design, Engineering, Marketing, etc): These professionals bring expertise in their respective fields. Their opinions, while informed, may focus more on their area of specialisation rather than the product as a whole.
- Non-Experts with nice designations: Individuals with impressive titles but limited understanding of the specific problem space. Such input can be of lower quality and may not align with customer needs or product objectives.
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💡 **- The ability to differentiate between feedback and opinion is a critical skill for any Product Manager.
- Utilising both feedback and opinion, PMs can ensure that their product development is both user-centric and well-rounded.**
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