Everything You Need to Know to be in the Revolutionary Product Operations Team

Everything You Need to Know to be in the Revolutionary Product Operations Team | Product Management | Emeritus

A firestorm of debate has raged within the product management community in the last few years over a shift in the product management department. It led to existential questions for product managers. Were they on the chopping block? Was product development itself under threat? The answer, as it turns out, is a resounding no. Instead, there is an attempt to transform the role, thereby signaling the rise of a new breed of hero: the Product Operations (ProdOps) manager. No more battling against deadlines and feature creep, no more Jenga-like chaos. ProdOps managers are transforming product development from a feature frenzy into a flawless flow. This shift leads to faster product launches, happier teams, and a competitive edge in today’s cutthroat market. Let’s take a closer look at this game-changing development.

Why is Product Ops Important?

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In recent times, Indian companies such as Flipkart, Zomato, and Ola have been transforming the project management sector by adopting a more collaborative, data-driven approach. Here’s how this holistic approach helps:



1. Reduced Time to Market

Product operations streamline workflows and eliminate redundancies, thus allowing companies to get products to market faster. For instance, Fintech startup CRED leveraged ProdOps to implement a Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipeline. This automated testing and deployment process slashed their development cycle, thus allowing them to roll out new features and bug fixes significantly faster, keeping them ahead of the competition.

2. Improved Product Quality

By focusing on data-driven decision-making and user research integration, product operations help ensure that products meet the target audience’s needs. This not only translates to higher customer satisfaction but also reduced churn rates. For instance, the healthcare platform Practo established a ProdOps team that focused on integrating user feedback tools and conducting user interviews. This data-driven approach allowed them to identify a critical gap in their telemedicine platform—a lack of appointment scheduling functionality. By prioritizing the development of this feature based on user feedback, Practo thus significantly improved patient satisfaction and increased their appointment bookings.

3. Increased Team Productivity

Product operations managers take on time-consuming tasks like tool implementation and data analysis, freeing product managers and engineers to focus on their core strengths. This not only boosts productivity but also improves team morale. For instance, e-commerce giant Flipkart created a dedicated ProdOps team to manage their Product Information Management (PIM) system. This streamlined product data management process freed up engineers to focus on building new features for the platform, thereby increasing the number of features launched per quarter.

ALSO READ: A 7-Step Guide to Drive Success by Harmonizing Product Manager and Designer Roles

The Role of a ProductOps Manager

A product operations manager isn’t just a glorified project manager. They bridge the creative chaos of product ideation and the structured efficiency of business operations. These ProdOps teams take ownership of the entire product development lifecycle, from planning and prioritizing features to implementing the right tools and analyzing data. The following elements are integral to a ProdOps manager’s job:

1. Planning and Prioritization

ProdOps managers collaborate with product managers to define product roadmaps. Furthermore, they identify key performance indicators and prioritize features based on data and market needs. Moreover, they ensure product development stays aligned with business goals.

2. Tool Implementation

ProdOps managers are tech-savvy. They identify and implement the right tools—project management software, user research platforms, and communication tools—to keep the product development process efficient and transparent.

3. Data Analysis and Reporting

Data is the lifeblood of informed decision-making. ProdOps managers thus gather, analyze, and interpret data on product usage, user feedback, and market trends. These insights are then shared with all stakeholders to guide product development decisions.

4. Process Optimization

Efficiency is key. ProdOps managers continuously review and refine product development workflows. Furthermore, they identify bottlenecks, eliminate redundancies, and implement best practices to keep the product development cycle moving smoothly.

Skills and Traits of Product Operations Managers

ProdOps managers keep everyone in sync and focused on delivering a stellar product. So what qualities make a truly successful ProdOps manager? Here’s a breakdown of the essential skills and traits:

1. Technical Acumen

While product operations managers don’t need to be coding wizards, a strong understanding of product development tools is crucial. This includes familiarity with project management software, user research platforms, data analysis tools, and potentially even basic coding languages like Python for automation.

Furthermore, staying updated on the latest product development trends and technologies is essential. As the industry evolves, ProdOps managers also need to adapt and embrace new tools and methodologies to continuously improve the product development process.

2. Analytical Thinking and Problem-Solving

Data is the lifeblood of ProdOps. Successful managers need to be adept at collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data on product usage, user feedback, and market trends. This analytical prowess not only allows them to identify trends and anticipate problems but also make data-driven recommendations that optimize product development.

Problem-solving skills are equally important. Product development is rarely a smooth ride. Roadblocks and unforeseen challenges will inevitably arise. This is where a ProdOps manager’s ability to think critically, identify the root cause of issues, and implement creative solutions becomes invaluable.

3. Communication and Collaboration

Product operations managers are the glue that holds product development teams together. They need to be exceptional communicators, clearly articulating strategies, roadmaps, and data insights to a diverse range of stakeholders, including product managers, engineers, designers, and executives.

Collaboration is also an essential aspect of good communication. Building strong relationships and fostering a spirit of teamwork across different departments is essential for ensuring a smooth product development flow. ProdOps managers who can effectively communicate, collaborate, and build trust will, therefore, be well positioned for success.

ALSO READ: What is Product Operations? How is it Different From Product Management?

The Future of ProdOps

Types of Product Managers

Product operations have emerged as a revolutionary part of product development. However, the future of ProdOps holds even greater promise, evolving beyond streamlining processes to wielding strategic influence.

ProdOps has, up to now, focused on optimizing workflows and ensuring efficient product development. However, the future lies in leveraging the expertise of product operations managers to become strategic partners. This means playing a more active role in shaping product vision, driving innovation, and championing a data-driven approach across the organization.

Product operations managers will be instrumental in the following:

A. Experimentation and Innovation

By analyzing user data and market trends, ProdOps managers can identify opportunities for experimentation and guide the development of new features and business models.

B. Building a Culture of Product Excellence

ProdOps managers can foster a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement within product development teams. Hence, they will be responsible for establishing metrics and processes to measure product success and identify areas for optimization.

In essence, ProdOps managers will transition from process experts to strategic thought leaders, driving product excellence and propelling businesses toward future success.

ALSO READ: A Comprehensive Guide to Operations Management: 10 Key Principles

The rise of product operations, therefore, represents a paradigm shift in product development. It is a move towards a data-driven, collaborative, and user-centric approach, all fueled by the strategic vision of ProdOps managers. So, if you are looking for a dynamic and impactful career path, ProdOps offers a compelling opportunity. The demand for skilled ProdOps professionals is surging, particularly in India’s booming tech sector. This translates to exciting career prospects and competitive salaries. Becoming a product operations manager equips you with a unique blend of technical skills, analytical prowess, and communication expertise, making you a valuable asset in any organization. 

So, are you ready to take the first step towards a future-proof career? Explore Emeritus’ product management courses, which offer comprehensive programs designed and delivered by industry experts. These will equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to thrive in the exciting world of ProdOps. Join the ProdOps revolution and shape the future of product development today!

Write to us at content@emeritus.org

About the Author


SEO Content Contributor, Emeritus

Promita is a content contributor to the Emeritus Blog with a background in both marketing and language. With over 5 years of experience in writing for digital media, she specializes in SEO content that is both discoverable and usable. Apart from writing high-quality content, Promita also has a penchant for sketching and dabbling in the culinary arts. A cat parent and avid reader, she leaves a dash of personality and purpose in every piece of content she writes.
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