A PM’s guide to working with data analysts (DAs)

A dedicated data analyst (DA) can significantly enhance the quality and speed of product discovery by providing expertise in data tracking, analysis, and insight generation, yet many product teams lack this role due to a misunderstanding of its value and effective collaboration methods. Data analysts are crucial for implementing A/B tests, monitoring product metrics, ensuring data governance, and contributing to product strategy by offering quantitative insights. Effective collaboration between product managers (PMs) and data analysts involves early involvement, regular brainstorming sessions, skill-sharing, and constant communication to maximize the benefits of their partnership. Although PMs may initially handle data analysis tasks, the increasing complexity and potential insights from mature products make the role of a data analyst vital, offering a high return on investment by improving data quality, speeding up validation, and reducing processing costs.