How to become a product manager: A 12-month plan

Product management has become a highly sought-after career in the tech industry due to its perceived accessibility and high salary potential, even for those without strong technical expertise. The article provides a semi-prescriptive 12-month plan for aspiring product managers to develop the necessary skills, emphasizing that while the plan can equip individuals with a product manager's mindset, landing a job depends on various external factors. The first three months focus on understanding the basics of product management, followed by a deeper dive into fundamentals over the next three months, tailored based on one's background. The final six months encourage applying learned skills through practical experiences like supporting existing product managers, joining mentoring programs, building mock products, sharing knowledge publicly, or even creating one's own product. The journey is aimed at fostering an outcome-oriented and problem-driven mindset, with the understanding that the title of "product manager" is secondary to the skills and approach developed through the process.