The Product Opscast

Jana Debusk, a Senior Product Operations Manager at Applied Systems and former musician, dives into her new collaborative framework for measuring Product Operations. She shares the challenges of quantifying Product Ops effectiveness and proposes a shift from traditional metrics to a focus on curiosity and learning. Jana discusses the importance of tracking time allocation for PMs and the use of analytics to gauge tool adoption and team culture. Her insights highlight the need to combine qualitative and quantitative data for a comprehensive view of Product Ops impact.

In this episode of the Product Opscast, Graham Reed and Antonia Landi chat with friend and fellow podcaster Justin Woods, founder of Roadmap Heroes, to discuss the intricacies of product management and roadmapping. They explore the importance of strategic roadmaps, the challenges of ownership and communication, and the need for audience-centric approaches. Also on the agenda: continuous planning, collaboration across teams, the significance of discovery in the roadmapping process, and throughout everything, how Product Ops plays a key role in orchestrating teams to do all of this at their best. “This is about roadmapping, not just roadmaps…”Highlights:* Most companies struggle with effective roadmapping.* A good roadmap is a strategic artefact for communication and alignment.* Roadmaps should focus on problems, ideas, value, outcomes, and themes.* Different stakeholders often require different views of the roadmap.* The roadmap is not just for product teams; in fact, it is less useful operationally for product teams than anyone else.* Continuous planning and collaboration are essential for effective roadmapping.* Discovery and exploration should be celebrated just as much as delivery* Roadmaps should reflect both past learnings and future plans.* The job to be done for a roadmap varies by organisation and maturity.* Roadmapping is a process, not just a one-time artefact.Resources Mentioned:HEROES FrameworkRoadmap Audience CanvasInterpreting Roadmaps - ArticleStrategic & Delivery Roadmaps - ArticleWatch here on Substack, or listen on your favourite platform. We’re on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts Get full access to Product Ops Confidential at www.productopsconfidential.com/subscribe

Anthony Maggio, VP of Product at Airtable, with over 15 years in product roles, dives into the transformative role of product operations across industries. He discusses how AI is revolutionizing workflows and empowering non-tech sectors to adopt product ops. Maggio emphasizes creativity as a crucial skill and reveals how easily anyone can create AI agents. He also previews Airtable's innovations in AI, including dynamic tools that enhance no-code development, paving the way for more efficient processes and democratized software creation.

In this episode of the Product Opscast, Graham Reed and Antonia Landi are joined by Malte Scholz, co-founder and CPO of AirFocus, to discuss the intricacies of product operations & digital transformation in traditional organisations, and the challenges of change management. We explore the importance of leadership in product management, the role of tooling in facilitating transformation, and the balance between building and buying tools. Malte shares insights on how to navigate the uncomfortable middle of change and the entrepreneurial mindset needed for product leadersHighlights:* The majority of companies are not digital natives and need to adapt.* Product ops is often not where organisations start their digital transformation.* Empathy and understanding the context are crucial in product management.* Change management is often uncomfortable and requires strong leadership.* Tools should facilitate, not dictate, how teams work.* Communication is key to effective leadership in product management.* A sense of urgency is essential for successful transformation.* Less is often more when it comes to tools and processes.* Entrepreneurial thinking is vital for product leaders.Watch here on Substack, or listen on your favourite platform. We’re on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts Get full access to Product Ops Confidential at www.productopsconfidential.com/subscribe

Amy Rohan, Director of Product Experience Operations at Vistaprint, brings her wealth of experience in product operations to the table. She shares how personality assessments can illuminate individual strengths and gaps in leadership. Listeners learn about the significance of cultural nuances in global teams and the role of psychological safety in fostering team dynamics. Amy also emphasizes the importance of intentional communication and regular one-on-ones for feedback. Her insights on building a strong product community and embracing vulnerability resonate with anyone in product ops.

Matt LeMay, author and product management consultant, shares insights from his work and his latest book, emphasizing the importance of aligning product strategies with business realities. He highlights the pitfalls of typical Agile transformations and stresses that understanding local contexts is vital for success. Matt provides high-leverage tactics that improve communication and reduce unproductive busy work. With a mix of practical advice and reflections on continuous improvement, he encourages teams to focus on impactful changes rather than just following templates.

In this episode of the Product Opscast, hosts Graham Reed and Antonia Landi get a fresh perspective of the world, according to Engineering Operations, with expert Emily Koehler, Engineering Operations professional from Expel. We hash out the intricate balance between Product and Engineering Ops, the importance of decision-making frameworks in both, and how these roles can, and should, harmonise to drive innovation and efficiency. Emily shares her journey from aspiring UN translator to tech leader, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs of managing operational strategies, and lays out how engineering ops can transform your organisation's decision-making and strategic alignment.Watch here on Substack, or listen on your favourite platform. We’re on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts Get full access to Product Ops Confidential at www.productopsconfidential.com/subscribe

Fo Neale-May, VP of Product Operations, shares her extensive experience in fintech and SaaS to discuss scaling product thinking. She emphasizes shifting from tactical execution to strategic partnerships and highlights the role of AI in enhancing decision-making. Fo advocates for a problem-first mindset and the importance of engaging cross-functional teams, including designers and engineers, in addressing shared challenges. She also recommends creating minimal viable processes and monitoring stakeholder feedback to improve output quality.

Cindy Camacho, an award-winning product management leader, brings her expertise to the discussion about the internal voice of the customer. She highlights the importance of listening to internal teams to drive product innovation and alignment. Cindy shares insights on building effective feedback loops and fostering a culture of empathy within organizations. She emphasizes knowing when to push for change and advises on handling internal risks while maintaining psychological safety, advocating that every team member plays a role in product success.