Must read Product Management Books 2024
The role of product management has gained significant attention over the past 15 years, becoming a crucial function in technology and innovation-driven companies. This increased focus has led to the publication of numerous insightful books that are indispensable for anyone in the product management field. Offering timeless lessons that guide both aspiring and experienced product managers in their careers - a summary of 'Must Reads' is below:
Build by Tony Fadell
Tony Fadell led the teams that created groundbreaking products like the iPod, iPhone, and Nest Learning Thermostat during his career at companies like Apple and Google. In this book, he shares personal stories, practical advice, and insights from over 30 years in Silicon Valley on topics such as:
- Leadership and design principles
- Building startups and navigating large companies
- Decision-making and mentorship
- Overcoming failures and achieving success
The book is structured as an "advice encyclopedia" with short chapters covering different phases of a product manager's career - from getting that first job to becoming a CEO. Fadell uses compelling examples like the creation of the iPod and iPhone to illustrate his lessons.Some key takeaways from the book include:
- Follow your passion, even if the payoff isn't immediately clear
- Design every step of the customer journey
- Understand when to evolve an existing product vs disrupting with something new
- Hire and build teams that design for everyone
- Learn the true value of great product managers
With pragmatic guidance from Fadell's extensive experience, the book aims to help readers at any career stage "make things worth making". Its unique mix of biographical stories and actionable advice makes "Build" a valuable read for aspiring and veteran product managers alike.
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
The Lean Startup is considered a modern-day classic for product managers and entrepreneurs. It discusses the process of testing your customers' visions, listening to customers, and providing them with real value in order to adapt to a changing ecosystem.
Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love by Marty Cagan
This book by Marty Cagan, a longtime and highly successful product executive, provides insights on how to develop products that customers love, drawing from the practices of companies like Facebook, Netflix, and Amazon.
Continuous Discovery Habits by Teresa Torres
This book offers guidance on how to instill a discovery habit within your company, including conducting customer interviews, using assumption tests to evaluate potential solutions, and visualizing your work using an opportunity solution tree.
Ship It: Silicon Valley Product Managers Reveal All
This book explains the challenges and responsibilities of product managers, with tips and secrets from PMs at top companies like Facebook, Reddit, and Dropbox.
The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhuo
Written by a former VP of Product Design at Facebook, this book reveals tactics on how to lead a product team effectively, based on Zhuo's experience of becoming a product manager at a young age.
Product Management for Dummies by Brian Lawley and Pamela Schure
A beginner-friendly book that covers the fundamentals of product management, from what it entails to creating product roadmaps and developing key PM skills.These books cover various aspects of product management, from strategy and leadership to customer discovery and lean principles, making them essential reads for both aspiring and experienced product managers.
