The Two Skills Every Internal Platform PM Must Know

As PMs, we often see ourselves as the team members that create focus. We aim to reduce work to what's the most important and impactful. Yet, many of us don't apply that to our day-to-day behaviors. If we let the WIP overwhelm us, how can we help the organization?

I see weekly threads with PMs feeling too stretched, thin, overwhelmed, and asking for advice. The answer, as always: simplify. Reduce. What actions, if repeated, bring the most value?

Whether because Internal Developer PMs operate in vastly different company cultures and structures, with other bosses and stakeholders, or customer types, two practices have consistently provided value for internal PMs: value stream mapping and establishing a feedback loop with the customers.

These two practices are foundational. Gathering feedback and applying it to a value stream map represents the customer can generate the solution to most other questions and needs, like KPIs, cost-benefit solution analysis, and adoption improvements. Providing evidence-based and visual presentations assists with gaining alignment and presenting on direction and impact. I've reused my value stream map (or user journey) in many presentations as initiatives progress.

What does this mean?

If you are in this field or looking to start, get proficient in these skills.  This talk by Lambro Charissis is an excellent place to start, and this post of mine breaks down a general getting started guide to feedback collection.

If you run a team, establish excellence in the process and delivery of these skills. If you'd like my feedback on your approach, please email me or contact me on LinkedIn -- I'm always happy to help!