Talking Roadmaps

In this engaging discussion, Thomas Hartmann, Co-founder of Product Masterclass, unveils his insights on transitioning B2B software companies from project to product mode. He highlights seven recurring challenges that inspired his framework, contrasts project versus product roadmaps, and emphasizes the importance of shifting focus from individual customer requests to broader market opportunities. Thomas also shares practical hacks for mindset change and the necessity of leadership alignment to achieve scalability and profitability.

Becky Flint, Founder and CEO of Dragonboat, brings her extensive experience from PayPal and BigCommerce to discuss the evolving role of product operations. She highlights the importance of portfolio-level orchestration in product strategy. Key topics include how organizational structure influences models, the need for shared data to enhance decision-making, and measuring the ROI of product operations. Becky emphasizes that processes must be treated as products for efficiency, advocating a mindset that accelerates collective impact across teams.

Valentina Thörner, Head of Product Operations at ZF, shares her expertise in product management and operations. She discusses the necessity of product operations as teams grow, emphasizing goals like improving data quality and enhancing collaboration. Valentina also tackles challenges in cross-functional communication, the significance of templates for remote work, and best practices for visibility. Additionally, she highlights the importance of hiring at the right time and the human touch in remote work, advocating for in-person interactions to boost team dynamics.

Ana Zrno, Director of Product Operations at Wrike, brings over 20 years of experience in product roles. She dives into why product operations are essential for fostering team focus on value and removing obstacles. Ana reveals the flexible nature of product ops, serving various stakeholders based on company needs. She shares best practices, warns against becoming process-obsessed, and emphasizes the importance of strategic planning. Plus, she discusses the role of product ops in roadmapping and advocates for a user-focused mindset in product management.

Satyavati Kharde, a Product and AI consultant at Zühlke Group and Nobody Studios with a PhD in life sciences, explores product operations' future. She likens product ops to air traffic control, harmonizing chaos into clarity. Satya emphasizes the integration of automation to elevate strategic roles and enhance decision-making. She shares insights on using AI for internal research and automated campaigns for user validation. By balancing quantitative metrics with qualitative satisfaction, she reveals how structure can create creative freedom in product operations.

Christine Itwaru, VP of Product Management at Beamer and Userflow, brings 15 years of product expertise to the discussion on product operations. She emphasizes that product ops is a vital system for aligning teams and delivering customer value across entire organizations. Christine dispels myths about its scope, shares insights on when to introduce it during company growth, and offers best practices for implementation. She also tackles the role of AI in product ops, asserting that while it can aid processes, the human touch remains essential for success.

Hugo Froes, Head of Product Operations at OLX, shares his insights on the role of product ops in scaling organizations. He argues that product ops should aim to become redundant by removing friction and optimizing processes. Hugo discusses the critical moments when product ops become essential, how to structure them effectively, and the importance of collaboration. He also warns against rigidity, highlights best practices for starting product ops, and reframes critics’ views by positioning product ops as enabling teams. A must-listen for those in product management!

Jessica Soroky, S. Director of Product Ops and Chief of Staff, dives into the art of building great product operations teams. She discusses the vital role of adapting to change and fostering experimentation within teams. Soroky emphasizes effective hiring strategies that prioritize skill sets over experience, along with the importance of mentorship. The conversation also highlights the essential integration of product operations with program management and the critical need for data-driven approaches in decision-making. Tune in for valuable insights into enhancing product functions!

In this bonus episode - Nesrine Changuel, Author of Product Delight and Founder @ Product Excellence. Have a listen!

Melissa Perri, a product management and operations expert, shares her insights on the critical role of product operations in organizations. She discusses strategies for identifying product management needs and emphasizes the importance of supporting product teams for sustainable success. Perri highlights how effective product operations enhance team efficiency through tools and automation, while also dispelling misconceptions about its scope. She shares valuable case studies and best practices, illustrating how strategic collaboration drives value creation and alignment with organizational goals.