BA or PO or PM?​

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Are you working as a Product Manager but feel more like a Business Analyst or Product Owner? 🤔

 

This situation is quite common among Indian professionals in global MNCs. Many of us have the title of Product Manager but end up doing tasks that are more aligned with other roles. The role of a Product Manager has become a popular career choice, leading companies to assign the title without the expected responsibilities.

 

Many of us in these roles feel stuck because our jobs don't offer much room for learning or growth.In my initial job, my day-to-day work was more about delivery than interacting with customers or contributing to design meetings and product strategy.

 

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However, I realized that even in this situation, there's a lot to learn if you look in the right places:

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1. 📚🔍Reviewing Project Documents Thoroughly: I started by diving deep into all the project documentation available to me. This wasn't just about reading; it was about truly understanding why decisions were made, the challenges faced, and identifying areas for improvement. This approach helped me get a comprehensive view of the entire project lifecycle and understand the thought processes behind each phase.

 

2. 🗣️👥Actively Participating in Meetings: I made a point of attending those meetings where my presence was optional. Whether it was a design meeting or an engineering discussion, being there helped me understand more about the project and our product. At first, my focus was on listening and absorbing as much information as possible.After a few months of gathering information and learning quietly, I began sharing my insights with my stakeholders (Product Managers on the client's side). At first, our discussions were one-on-one, but gradually, they began to value my contributions, and I started having a bigger role in product strategy discussions.

 

3. 🌐🤝Building My Network Within the Company: I took the initiative to meet with people from different teams. The aim was to learn about their modules, the challenges they face, and their perspectives on the product. These conversations not only gave me new insights into our product but also helped me build a network of colleagues who could later support my ideas and initiatives.

 

It didn't happen all at once, but with patience and persistence, I began to find opportunities to make a more significant impact.

 

If you're feeling boxed in by your current role, there's always room to grow and contribute more significantly. It's about making the best of your current situation and continuously looking for ways to learn and contribute. (Till you do not find your desired job 😉)