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Ready to excel as a Software Product Manager? Here’s tips to get you started

Female Software Product Manager

ARTICLE SUMMARY

Dr. Marlene Wolfgruber, Product Marketing Lead AI at ABBYY, explores what it takes to excel as a Software Product Manager, and shares her tips on getting started.

Dr. Marlene Wolfgruber is an experienced product marketing professional specializing in artificial intelligence and technology solutions.

Software Product Manager

Currently serving as Product Marketing Lead AI at ABBYY since October 2024, Marlene previously held the position of Product Marketing Lead at Rasa, where the focus was on generative conversational AI platforms.

Prior experience includes Head of Product Marketing at Yokoy, where the automation of spend management for enterprises was emphasized, along with significant roles at ABBYY as Director of Product Marketing and Product Marketing Manager. Earlier in her career Marlene also held a position as Product Manager at Retarus GmbH. Dr. Wolfgruber holds a Doctorate in Computer Linguistics and a Magister Artium in the same field from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.

For women just starting out in tech, software product management is an exciting path that mixes technical know-how with creativity.

I began in computational linguistics and felt like an anomaly, but I learned to use my strengths to connect technical and real-world applications.

If you’re thinking about becoming a software product manager, here are some empowering steps to help you find your path and confidently bring your unique perspective to tech.

Define Your Career Vision

The journey starts with a clear idea of your goals. Ask yourself: are you drawn to a role that’s deeply technical, or do you want to combine tech with strategic thinking, like product management? Setting short-term goals—like mastering a specific skill—and long-term aspirations, such as leading teams or focusing on a niche area, helps make your path purposeful. This alignment between your values and strengths will guide your job search and learning path.

Action Step: Map out a one-year and a five-year vision for yourself, focusing on skills you want to gain, projects that excite you, and roles that feel aligned with your values.

Build a Technical Foundation that Sets You Apart

While product management requires a mix of skills, having a solid technical foundation can be a game-changer. Learning versatile programming languages like Python or JavaScript will empower you to speak the language of development teams. Familiarity with tools like Jira for project management or Figma for design fosters collaboration across different teams. And if data drives you, strengthen your data analysis skills with Excel and data visualization tools to make confident, data-informed decisions.

Practical Tip: Start with one programming language and one data tool. Invest time in a beginner-friendly course or project to practice using these tools.

Master Communication and Collaboration Skills

Clear, impactful communication is the backbone of effective product management. Your ability to break down complex concepts into simple, relatable terms for diverse audiences—developers, stakeholders, designers—will set you apart. Cultivate this skill, and don’t underestimate the value of empathy. Building rapport with your cross-functional team, listening to their priorities, and creating shared goals contribute to a productive, collaborative environment.

Actionable Advice: Practice explaining a technical concept to a friend in a different field. This will build your confidence in communicating technical ideas clearly.

Find Mentorship and Build a Supportive Network

Mentorship can provide valuable guidance as you navigate this field. Seek mentors who inspire you, understand industry norms, and support your growth. Joining groups like Women in Tech or SheCanCode connects you with like-minded professionals, offering advice, camaraderie, and a broader perspective on challenges and successes in the industry.

Next Step: Reach out to a potential mentor on LinkedIn, or attend a Women in Tech event to start building a community of support.

Tech moves quickly, so staying informed on trends and learning new skills is crucial. Relevant certifications, like those from AWS or Pragmatic Institute, can enhance your credibility. Follow tech blogs, listen to industry podcasts, and engage with content that strengthens your understanding of the field and prepares you for new challenges.

Quick Win: Dedicate a few minutes each day to tech news or a podcast like “SheCanCode” to stay inspired and informed.

Familiarise Yourself with Agile and Product Development Frameworks

Knowing agile methodologies, like Scrum or Kanban, can improve your ability to manage cross-functional projects smoothly. These frameworks are invaluable in tech environments, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently. Understanding each stage of product development allows you to be an effective partner to engineering and design teams and build trust with stakeholders.

Pro Tip: Find a free agile course to get familiar with terms and processes, making collaboration with other teams more intuitive.

Recognise the Value of Your Unique Perspective as a Woman in Tech

Your voice and insights are powerful assets, especially in product management, where understanding diverse customer needs is crucial. Lean into your perspective and seek opportunities to contribute to inclusive initiatives. Not only does this broaden your network, but it also promotes positive change and helps create a tech landscape where diversity drives innovation.

Keep in mind, your experiences bring unique insights to your team. Embrace this perspective as a strength that enhances your work.

Stepping into a software product management role is a journey that requires clarity, skills, confidence, and community. By setting clear goals, building a strong foundation, and embracing your unique strengths, you’re setting yourself up for a fulfilling, impactful career in tech.

Remember, you’re not alone—connect with mentors, seek out support, and keep pushing forward. Your journey into tech is filled with opportunities, and each step brings you closer to your goals.

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