June 2023 | Project vs Product Management: Understanding the Parallels and Intersections’ by Mike Palladino, David Dunning, Pamela Schure & Prof. Yinshan Tang

The two terms are often used interchangeably. Its practitioners are often both referred to as “PMs” by different people. But they are quite different disciplines requiring their own particular sets of skills and tools.

Product managers drive the development of products. They prioritise initiatives and make strategic decisions about what gets built. They are sometimes considered the CEO of a product line and focus on business objectives, measurable goals, and positive outcomes.

On the other hand, project managers oversee previously approved and developed plans. They manage schedules and resources to get things done—but have little input to define and prioritize those goals and projects.

Product managers sit at the fulcrum of the business’s goals, the customers’ needs, and the teams building the solutions that meet those needs and goals. It is a role that is both external and internal, manages up and down, and spans technical, business, and operational domains.

Project managers are tasked with getting things done. Their involvement with an initiative doesn’t begin until things are already defined, but once it’s placed in their hands, they serve an integral role in making it all happen. From scheduling to resource allocation to budget management to quality control—they have an essential part to fill in defining the plan and making sure it comes off without a hitch.

Both are cross-functional interfacing with various groups within the larger organization and their stakeholders. Both also have the challenge of responsibility without authority, and both can’t do their job without communicating effectively and maintaining alignment.

This presentation aims to analyse similarities and differences between these two roles and better focus the character of these two professions.

Mike Palladino

Michael Palladino is an Agile and Program Management professional with broad experience across several industries. He is the Director of Enterprise Agility at Bristol Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals. Mike is an adjunct professor at Villanova University teaching courses in Agile and Project Management and is a PMI ATP trainer. He is a Past President of PMI-DVC and an author for Data Management University Magazine. He is a professional speaker, having presented in many countries for over 20 years.

David Dunning

David is a thought leader with over 25 years of experience in consulting and business leadership. He is the founder of Core P3M Data Club, Chairman of CPS and a co-founder of Deepteam. He currently has an independent focus on Business Integrated Governance, portfolio, programme, product and project management governance, and enabling businesses to achieve their strategic priorities. At this event, he will speak on Product management strategy and Governance and be a panellist for the day.

Pamela Schure

Pamela Schure has brought over 50 diverse products and services to market for companies like Apple and is co-author of Product Management for Dummies. She has combined her BS in Applied Mechanics from the University of California at San Diego and an MBA from Columbia Business School to bring technical insight into solving business problems with analytical foundations. She has extensive global business expertise on three continents in industries as diverse as vehicles, sawmilling, property management, and training services.

Prof. Yinshan Tang

Dr. Yinshan Tang is a Professor in Management Informatics and a Vice Dean at Henley Business School who teaches IT Project Management, Applied Informatics, Organisation Design and Performance Management at the MSc level for over 19 years. He had industry experience working for a business consulting firm as a Business Unit Manager for 6 years before joining University of Reading in 2004. He worked as a Parasitologist for over 17 years. Yinshan, as an academic with senior management experience both in the industry and higher education, focuses on Biology, Parasitology, Computer Science, Databases, Project Management. He is interested in combining and applying Chinese and Western philosophies in management. Dr. Yinshan Tang is currently an expert at Knowledge transfer, PRINCE2, Agile project management methodologies, Large database systems, Bioinformatics, Network and system security, Business performance assessment, Benchmarking, Semiotics, User requirement, System analysis and design, Business communication and negotiation.