Product management is one of the most exciting fields in tech now, right? Considering the complexities of the job right at the intersection of software development, design, and growth, product managers must keep ahead of the game to catch the latest trends. So why not read some books?
Here is the reading list that only involves the best books for product managers to get a competitive advantage and help build products that customers love.
1. The Product Book: How to Become a Great Product Manager by Carlos González de Villaumbrosia and Josh Anon
Is there a better way to start the list than an Amazon bestseller? There isn’t any.
Product School is a global training platform designed specifically for product managers or those aspiring to be one.
The focus here is on the masterpiece that Product School published since it includes priceless content that evolves around practical advice, best actions, and helpful tips.
2. The Lean Product Playbook: How to Innovate with Minimum Viable Products and Rapid Customer Feedback by Dan Olsen
Dan Olsen goes into detail in his book about what causes product-market fit, both on the product (UX, feature sets, and value proposition) and market (target customers and unmet needs) sides.
For product managers wanting to build and iterate rapidly while developing their products and getting to product-market fit fast, it offers an excellent framework for success by providing readers with practical examples regarding UX design, coding, product management, analytics, and marketing.
3. Crossing the Chasm: Marketing and Selling Disruptive Products to Mainstream Customers by Geoffrey A. Moore
Initially written in the early 90s, the principles in Crossing the Chasm have surely stood the test of time, and the book has become like the bible for product teams developing cutting-edge technologies for over a decade.
In his phenomenal work, Geoffrey A. Moore examines in detail why only a few products become hugely successful at disrupting progressively larger markets while others only lag behind—all based on his decades of experience with lots of examples of digital products.
4. Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love by Marty Cagan
Marty Cagan scrutinizes in depth how the most successful tech companies today—Google, Netflix, and Amazon—design and build technology products that have billions of raving fans worldwide.
Primarily focusing on product development, Inspired covers companies from early-stage startups looking to hit product-market fit rapidly to long-established tech companies constantly in search of delivering new value for their customers while boosting user engagement, achieving business goals, and promoting innovation.
5. Outcomes Over Output: Why customer behavior is the key metric for business success by Josh Seiden
In his book Outcomes Over Output, Josh Seiden argues that if we give product teams outcomes to achieve, we can ensure focus and alignment, reduce unnecessary rework, and, most importantly, put our customers at the center of all of our efforts.
Published in 2019, it is one of the latest works that PMs must definitely check out to become aware of new product development strategies, actionable advice on improving customer experience, and the outcome you achieve on the road to the ultimate goal.
6. Escaping the Build Trap: How Effective Product Management Creates Real Value by Melissa Perri
Divided into five parts, this business book sheds light on the importance of user experience and the way it is connected to the product manager role since these concepts go hand-in-hand to attain a positive business impact.
Escaping the Build Trap is a must-read book for PMs looking to build a product management culture focused on successful outcomes over outputs in their work environment.
7. Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs by John Doerr
Measure What Matters introduces a revolutionary approach to setting goals and making tough decisions in business: objectives and key results (OKRs).
Exploring new approaches to management in technology, it is certainly one of the most essential readings for PMs expected to set and accomplish higher goals.
8. Product Roadmaps Relaunched: How to Set Direction while Embracing Uncertainty by C. Todd Lombardo, Bruce McCarthy, Evan Ryan, and Michael Connors
From enhancing the decision-making process to developing a company strategy that all teams can pursue, this step-by-step guide helps you become a successful product manager who can reach several milestones.
In short, this book explains how to create a business plan that aligns with your company strategy and includes the definitions of the responsibilities that each role holds to help you get accustomed to the fast-paced business environment.
9. Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal
Starting from product discovery and sustaining a fruitful product lifecycle, this book displays the elements and to-dos that teams, especially product managers, should prioritize each sprint.
Besides, it includes actionable insights that you can use to your advantage to get customers hooked by building customer habits that are directly affected by customer satisfaction.
10. Cracking the PM Career: The Skills, Frameworks, and Practices to Become a Great Product Manager by Jackie Bavaro and Gayle Laakmann McDowell
This book is unique in a way because it displays a long list of product management requirements that you should adapt to form a product vision that will shine among competitors.
It introduces a growth mindset that will help you grow your business and customer base by putting importance on your one and only product.
Nowadays, it is highly important to find the right tools to improve yourself in what you do, whether it’s your job or hobby.
We at Accredian would love to make your product management career goal a reality. Enroll in our Product Management certification and shine in this domain.
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