Product vs. Project Management
When you’re in the world of product development, it’s easy to get tangled in buzzwords - product management, project management, product owner, programme manager. And while these might sound similar, the roles and responsibilities are vastly different. So, how do you know which approach is right for your team, or even for you in your career?
Product Management: The Visionary
At the heart of product management is one thing: the customer. As a product manager, you’re the strategist, the person who ensures that the product aligns with customer needs, business goals, and market opportunities. Your job is about balancing short-term vs long-term value and ensuring the product facilitates the overall business vision.
A great product manager will think beyond today’s features, and focus on what’s needed for tomorrow. It’s about balancing innovation with market needs, understanding trends, and adapting based on customer feedback. This big-picture thinking ensures that your product not only survives but thrives in the competitive market landscape.
Project Management: The Executor
In contrast, project management focuses on the tactical aspects of delivery; making sure things happen on time and within scope. While a product manager is concerned with the “what” and “why,” a project manager handles the “how” and “when.” They coordinate teams, track progress, and ensure that everything is running smoothly from start to finish.
A successful project manager aligns scheduling, mitigates risks, and makes sure milestones are hit. They ensure the product is delivered on schedule, on budget, and meet the broader project goals.
The thoughtbot Approach: Collaboration
At thoughtbot, project management isn’t a separate role, it’s a shared responsibility. Designers, developers, and product managers work together to manage timelines, communication, and blockers. This collaborative model keeps everyone aligned and deeply invested in the outcome. When the whole team owns the vision and the delivery, we move faster, make smarter decisions, and stay focused on what really matters. It’s our not-so-secret recipe for building great products with small, high-impact teams. No handoffs, no silos, just shared momentum and radical clarity.
TLDR? Need a summary for your board slides? I got you.
✅ Top tip: At thoughtbot, project management is a shared responsibility, so product teams stay small and move fast AND product minds can focus on strategy and customer value.