Doing Product Ops Right

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Anabela Cesário
VP of Product Operations and Chief of Staff to the CPO
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The Journey to Product Operations Mastery: Inspiring Lessons from Star Wars

Introduction

Maybe you're one of those folks who first experienced Star Wars as an adult, and found yourself hooked. Regardless of when you started, one thing remains true: Star Wars offers us a compelling tale of good versus evil, and how our choices define who we are. Well, drawing from that sentiment, we'll explore how leaders in product operations can also make the right choices for their organizations.

Of Star Wars and Product Operations

Star Wars isn't just about dueling with lightsabers or piloting starships at impossible speeds. Its universal appeal stems from an underlying life truth - the choices we make define who we are and the trajectory of our lives, or our organizations.

If you're into product operations, this is especially true. Your choices will either make your product function effectively, or lead to its downfall. Personally, my journey through product operations has been filled with complex challenges and even more complex decisions.

Principles of Product Operations

  • Define Product Operations: As leaders, we must decide on the definition of product operations that meets our organization's specific needs. There are countless definitions out there, but none will fit your situation 100%.
  • Staff the Function: Decide on the team composition that will handle product operations. Good decision-making in this area has become increasingly complex due to the sheer number of possible choices.

Understanding that product operations fall at the heart of the extended product group is vital. It's a communication mechanism and a source of insights and data to support product strategy.

Significant Choices in Product Operations

  • Customer Focus: Every product is irrelevant without a customer, and product operations should focus on deciphering the needs of your customers.
  • Clear Direction: The product operations team requires guidance, focus, and direction from a leader. Just think of Princess Leia.
  • Business Impact: A key product outcome is its influence and impact on the business. Product operations should actively collect product and market data, monitor product adoption metrics, and contribute to setting company strategies.
  • Stakeholders Management: Some product operations teams focus too much on customers and neglect their stakeholders. Maintain a healthy relationship with your stakeholders as they play a significant role in the company.
  • Foundation for Success: To scale a function, product operations must create the right foundations. However, the application must adapt to the company culture and reality.
  • Talent Development: It's important to train the teams. Training can be a strategy for engagement and retention in a hot talent market.
  • Right Product Operations Team: Choosing the right mix of team members for your product operations team is crucial. Consider factors such as experience, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities.

Final Thoughts

Making the right choices in product operations is less about following the latest trend, and more about focusing on impact and serving your customers and stakeholders. I hope these points help you navigate your product operations journey. Just like Star Wars, it's the choices you make that define which side of the force your product operations will be on. May the force be with you and your product operations.


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