Comments on: Book Review: Expert Product Management

By: Dr. Jim Anderson

Dr. Jim Anderson — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:13:27 +0000

Saeed: Just a quick thought: as a product manager, who do you spend most of your time working with? Probably developers and sales folks. If a PM book doesn’t take the time to talk about how you can get the most out of those relationships (and keep both parities from fighting), then it’s really missed the main challenge of being a product manger.

- Dr. Jim Anderson
The Accidental PM Blog
“Learn How Product Managers Can Be Successful And Get The Respect That They Deserve”

By: saeed

saeed — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:27:36 +0000

Cameron,

There are a number of books out there that give good information on Product Management. It really depends on what level of information you want, and where your focus is. I’ll be reviewing a couple of books in the near future, both of which are pretty good IMHO. Stay tuned.

Saeed

By: saeed

saeed — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:25:42 +0000

Paco

Thanks for the comment. I agree that virtualization makes it much easier to distribute software. This is a good option, as long as beta feedback on the installation process is NOT something you need. . Multi-tier software is not easily distributed via a VM. Also, distributing a VM does require a larger download, but in many cases, it does make a lot of sense.

Thanks

Saeed

By: Cameron

Cameron — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:09:26 +0000

I am curious though what book(s) you might recommend for this type of topic?

By: Paco

Paco — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:01:15 +0000

From what you described here, yep, that book looks like a waste of space. By the way, I read your article on beta programs for the first time thanks to your reference to it here.

I’ll briefly repeat the comment I left on the Pragmatic Marketing site – people should consider using virtualization for distributing beta software. It’s a good solution for appliance-based products as well. Besides, more and more companies are installing their software into virtual servers, and the IT folks at the customer site will probably be much happier to setup a virtual server for beta software than actually going through the p.i.t.a. of installing it from scratch.

By: Tzvika

Tzvika — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:40:16 +0000

I thought it was an excellent booklet, but you are right that it doesn’t do the title justice, being more an intermediate level text and very brief.

Actually, this is a good lesson for PMs in and of itself: don’t promise something in the name of the product or feature that you cannot live up to!

By: Adam Bullied

Adam Bullied — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:37:46 +0000

Agreed. I’ve read through this text once or twice but it’s really not that comprehensive. I always felt as though it was a sell sheet to get you hooked on the methods / tools and then on to the 280 Group site to by one of their other products…

But could just be me.