Product Management Through an Engineering Lens

Transitioning from a software engineering intern to a product management intern at PagerDuty, the author explores the distinct roles and responsibilities of product managers compared to engineers. While software engineering is characterized by technical tasks with clear protocols, product management involves a more varied schedule focused on discovery, communication, and understanding customer needs through interviews and data analysis. The author highlights the importance of developing skills such as effective communication, active listening, and empathy in product management, which differ significantly from the technical skills emphasized in engineering. Product managers rely on internal resources like business intelligence tools and wikis, as well as direct interactions with colleagues and customers, to gather insights and make informed decisions. The experience has broadened the author's perspective on the product lifecycle and the nuanced skills required to excel in product management, encouraging others to consider similar career paths.