Stories Connecting Dots - Ep. 33: Dr. Else van der Berg - "AI Native Product Management"

With product managers (and other knowledge workers) as well getting over the barrier to adopt the command line of Claude Code (probably the worst product name ever), everything changes. Roles, responsibilities, the requirements for an org to align. So, I am happy to in this episode to speak with Dr. Else van der Berg, a self employed product manager living in Berlin. Else in working in AI native companies, so she knows something about the evolving landscape of product management in AI-native environments.

'The way I work has changed more in the last six months than in the last five years.' - Dr. Else van der Berg

Else writes about this shift in our role and in our environments a lot on LinkedIn and on substack.

Read Else's content on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-else-van-der-berg-42b8b6a2/

And on substack: https://elsevanderberg.substack.com Get infected! I really enjoy Else's refreshing perspective, knowing all the depth of our "old styles" of working, carrying all the influences from Marty Cagan, Teresa Torres etc. - but being full of energy to embrace all the tools and thus discovering all the new possibilities but also the new frictions. She shares her journey from traditional product management roles to embracing AI tools that enhance evidence-based decision-making. Else emphasizes the importance of understanding technology, especially in AI-driven products, and how this knowledge can empower product managers to make informed decisions. The discussion also touches on the shift from rigid Agile methodologies to more flexible, adaptive approaches that prioritize collaboration and rapid iteration, reflecting the changing dynamics of tech companies today. Else enjoys the shift from more specialised to more generalist roles that the new technology allows for. She argues that a broader skill set allows for better integration of technology and user experience. She also highlights the need for product managers to engage deeply with both customers and how the technology buys us that time. The conversation concludes with insights on how to navigate the challenges of communication and collaboration in fast-paced environments, emphasizing the value of transparency and shared goals among team members. The main point, though, is: This new technology augments us, helps us to get rid of "boring" work through atomisation and thus helps us find time to do what only humans can do - connect with other humans: clients, stakeholders, engineers.

Takeaways

'The way I work has changed more in the last six months than in the last five years.' 'We need to understand the technology behind AI products.'

'Everything is a test because you're just trying to collect data to see if your assumptions were true or false.'

'The smaller you are, the cooler it is.'

'We need to embrace failures and be transparent about them.'

Soundbites

'The way I work has changed more in the last six months than in the last five years.' 'I think there's a strong case being made for strict specializations and boundaries.' 'Launching an MVP or launching a feature is a test method.'

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI Native Product Management

02:28 Dr. Else Van Der Berg's Journey in Tech

04:49 The Role of Generalists in Product Management

11:25 Shifts in Validation and Testing Methods

20:32 The Impact of Automation on Product Management

30:27 The Future of Product Development Teams

38:19 Proactive Product Management Strategies

40:17 The Role of AI in Understanding Problems

43:13 Communication Challenges in Product Management

45:26 Maintaining Context and Consistency

48:37 The Future of Work and Team Dynamics

55:49 Cultural Shifts in Organizations

01:00:28 Embracing Change and Innovation