What is a product?

I know it sounds like a silly question; however, it is a great topic to discuss, especially for product managers (PM).

Have you ever wondered what exactly a product is? Sure, we know it can be a tangible item like a car or a piece of clothing, but did you know that the web browser you're using right now is also considered a product? In fact, a product can be anything that is created for a customer's use or consumption.

But what does it mean to manage a product? Contrary to popular belief, a product manager doesn't necessarily oversee an entire device or software. Instead, product managers are responsible for specific sections of what we might consider a product at many startups and large companies.

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Take Facebook, for example. When you use this social media platform, you use various features, such as the wall, messages, and groups. Each of these features is considered a product, and a dedicated product team may be working on each. This team is typically led by a product manager and includes designers and engineers who work together to ensure the feature is user-friendly and functional.

However, not all companies divide their products into smaller sections. Some may have a product manager responsible for an entire platform, such as an Android or iOS application or the website itself. Others may split the software based on the user journey, with separate product managers for acquisition and retention.

And it's not just tangible products or software that can be viewed as products. Services can also be seen as products, with their own set of product managers. These product managers are responsible for ensuring the service is meeting the customer's needs and delivering on its intended value proposition.

A product is anything created for a customer's use or consumption, whether it's a tangible item, a software feature, or a service. And managing a product involves working with a team to ensure it meets the customer's needs and delivers on its intended value.

As Apple's former CEO Steve Jobs once said, "You've got to start with the customer experience and work back toward the technology - not the other way around." This philosophy drives product management and underscores the importance of creating products that truly meet the customer's needs.

Products come in many forms and sizes, ranging from tangible items to software features to services. Product management is a crucial aspect of creating and maintaining successful products. It involves working with a team to ensure the product meets the customer's needs and delivers on its intended value proposition.

Whether you're a product manager overseeing a specific feature or a service, keeping the customer's experience at the forefront of your work is essential. With this customer-centric approach, businesses can create products that meet their customers' needs and exceed their expectations, leading to long-term success and customer loyalty.