Product Management Glossary
A collection of product management (PM) terms and definitions that you and your team should be aware of.
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Pair Programming
A collaborative programming technique where two developers work together at one workstation. One writes the code (the driver) while the other reviews each line and provides continuous feedback (the observer/navigator). It enhances code quality, knowledge sharing, and problem-solving skills.
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AARRR Pirate Metrics Framework
A framework used to analyze and optimize various stages of a customer's journey in a product or service. The acronym AARRR stands for Acquisition, Activation, Retention, Referral, and Revenue. It helps product managers evaluate and improve key metrics at each stage.
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A/B Test
A controlled experiment where two or more versions (A and B) of a webpage, app, or feature are compared to determine which performs better. It helps in making data-driven decisions by measuring the impact of changes on user behavior or outcomes.
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Acceptance Criteria
Explicit conditions that a product or feature must meet to be accepted by stakeholders. They are used to define the boundaries of a user story and ensure that the functionality meets the expectations of the end users.
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Acceptance Test
A set of criteria used to determine whether a system or component has met specified requirements. It is typically performed by end users to ensure that the product fulfills its intended purpose and meets business needs.
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Action Priority Matrix
A tool used for decision-making that categorizes tasks based on their impact and feasibility. It helps prioritize actions by classifying them into four quadrants: Quick Wins, Major Projects, Fill-Ins, and Thankless Tasks.
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Adaptive Software Development (ASD)
A software development approach that emphasizes flexibility and responsiveness to changing requirements. It focuses on collaboration, communication, and continuous feedback to adapt to evolving project needs.
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Affinity Diagram
A visual tool used to organize and categorize ideas or information. It promotes collaboration by allowing a team to group related concepts, identify patterns, and gain insights into complex problems.
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Affinity Grouping
A technique used in brainstorming or problem-solving where ideas are grouped based on common themes or relationships. It aids in organizing thoughts and identifying patterns among diverse concepts.
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Agile
A flexible and iterative approach to software development that prioritizes collaboration, adaptability, and customer feedback. It emphasizes delivering small, incremental improvements to continuously meet evolving project requirements.
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Agile Framework
A structured approach to implementing Agile principles and practices in software development. Common frameworks include Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP), each providing a set of roles, ceremonies, and artifacts.
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Agile Manifesto
A set of guiding values and principles for Agile software development, emphasizing individuals and interactions, working solutions, customer collaboration, and responding to change. It serves as the foundation for Agile methodologies.
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Agile Principles
Key guidelines that support the Agile Manifesto, such as prioritizing customer satisfaction, delivering working software regularly, and fostering collaboration between development teams and stakeholders.
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Agile Product Owner
A key role in Agile development responsible for defining and prioritizing the product backlog. The Product Owner ensures that the team delivers maximum value to the customer by aligning development efforts with business goals.
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Agile Release Train
A team of Agile teams working together to deliver value in a large-scale Agile project. It aligns multiple teams towards a common mission, facilitating coordination and synchronization across the organization.
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Agile Transformation
A strategic initiative to adopt Agile principles and practices across an entire organization. It involves a cultural shift, changes in processes, and the establishment of an Agile mindset to enhance collaboration and responsiveness.
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Agile Values
The core principles that guide Agile software development, including valuing individuals and interactions, working solutions, customer collaboration, and responding to change over following a strict plan or contract.
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Alpha Test
The initial phase of software testing where the product is tested internally by the development team before releasing it to a selected group of external users. It helps identify and address major issues before broader testing.
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Annual Recurring Revenue
The predictable and recurring revenue generated by a subscription-based business model over a 12-month period. It is a key metric for evaluating the financial health and sustainability of subscription-based businesses.
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Backlog
A prioritized list of features, enhancements, and tasks that need to be addressed in a project. It serves as a dynamic repository of work to be done and is commonly used in Agile methodologies.
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Backlog Grooming
The process of regularly reviewing, refining, and prioritizing items in the backlog. It ensures that the backlog remains relevant, well-defined, and ready for development, facilitating a smoother workflow for the team.
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Behavioral Product Management
An approach in product management that focuses on understanding and influencing user behavior. It involves analyzing user actions, feedback, and preferences to guide product decisions and enhance user satisfaction.
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Beta Test
The phase of software testing where a pre-release version is made available to a limited group of external users. It helps identify issues, gather feedback, and assess the product's performance in a real-world environment.
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Bill of Materials (BOM)
A comprehensive list of components, materials, and sub-assemblies required to manufacture a product. It provides a structured breakdown of the product's composition and is essential for production planning and cost estimation.
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Bubble Sort
A simple sorting algorithm that repeatedly steps through the list, compares adjacent elements, and swaps them if they are in the wrong order. It has limited use for small datasets due to its inefficiency for larger ones.
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Bucket Sort
A sorting algorithm that divides the input into a number of buckets, each representing a range of values. The buckets are then individually sorted, and the sorted buckets are concatenated to achieve the final sorted result.
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Burndown Chart
A visual representation of work completed versus work remaining over time. Commonly used in Agile projects, it helps teams track their progress and make informed decisions based on the rate of completion.
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Business Agility
The ability of an organization to adapt rapidly to changes in the business environment. It involves a flexible and responsive approach to operations, decision-making, and product/service delivery.
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Business Intelligence
The use of data analysis tools and techniques to make informed business decisions. It involves collecting, processing, and visualizing data to gain insights into market trends, customer behavior, and overall business performance.
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Business Model Canvas
A visual framework that helps businesses describe, design, challenge, and pivot their business models. It consists of key elements such as customer segments, value propositions, channels, customer relationships, revenue streams, key resources, key activities, key partnerships, and cost structure.
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Business Transformation
A holistic and strategic approach to making fundamental changes in an organization's structure, processes, and culture to achieve significant improvements in performance and competitiveness.
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Buy-a-Feature
A collaborative decision-making technique where stakeholders 'buy' features or enhancements with a limited budget. It helps prioritize features based on their perceived value to the stakeholders.
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Buyer Persona
A detailed and semi-fictional representation of a business's ideal customer. It includes demographic information, behaviors, motivations, and goals, helping businesses tailor their marketing and product strategies to specific customer needs.
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Cannibalization
The phenomenon where the introduction of a new product or feature negatively impacts the sales or market share of an existing product within the same company. It requires careful strategic planning to minimize adverse effects on overall revenue.
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Captive Product Pricing
A pricing strategy where the cost of one product is reduced to stimulate sales or market share, with the expectation that customers will also purchase related, higher-margin products or services offered by the same provider.
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Certified Product Manager
An individual who has achieved certification, indicating proficiency in product management principles, practices, and skills. Certification may be obtained through recognized organizations offering comprehensive product management training and assessments.
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Change Enablement
The process of preparing and supporting individuals, teams, and organizations to successfully adopt and implement change. It involves creating an environment conducive to change, providing resources, and addressing resistance to ensure smooth transitions.
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Change Management
A structured approach to transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations from the current state to a desired future state. It involves planning, communication, and systematic steps to minimize resistance and ensure successful change implementation.
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Change Management Principles
Fundamental guidelines that guide the process of managing and implementing change within an organization. Principles may include effective communication, employee involvement, and addressing the human side of change.
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Channels of Distribution
The various routes through which a product reaches the end consumer. It includes distribution channels such as direct sales, retailers, wholesalers, and online platforms, each impacting the product's accessibility and visibility in the market.
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Chief Product Officer
A senior executive responsible for overseeing the development, strategy, and performance of a company's product portfolio. The Chief Product Officer plays a key role in aligning product efforts with overall business goals and objectives.
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Churn
The rate at which customers stop using a product or service over a specific period. Churn is a critical metric in subscription-based businesses, and reducing churn often involves improving customer satisfaction and addressing issues.
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CIRCLES Method
A product prioritization framework that considers six key factors: Customers, Impact, Revenue, Confidence, Time, and Learning. It helps product managers make informed decisions about feature development and project prioritization.
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Competitive Intelligence
The process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information about a company's competitors. It involves understanding competitors' strategies, strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning to make informed business decisions.
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Competitive Landscape
The overall structure and dynamics of a market, including the positions and interactions of key competitors. Analyzing the competitive landscape helps businesses identify opportunities, threats, and strategic positioning.
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Concept Review
A formal evaluation of a product or feature concept to assess its viability, potential value, and alignment with business goals. It typically involves key stakeholders providing feedback on the proposed idea.
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Continuous Delivery
An approach in software development where changes to code are automatically built, tested, and prepared for release. It enables frequent and reliable releases, reducing time to market and enhancing product quality.
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Continuous Deployment
An extension of continuous delivery where every code change that passes automated testing is automatically deployed to the production environment. It aims to minimize manual intervention in the release process.
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Continuous Improvement
An ongoing effort to enhance processes, products, or services incrementally. It involves identifying opportunities for improvement, implementing changes, and regularly evaluating outcomes to drive ongoing organizational growth and efficiency.
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Continuous Integration
A development practice where code changes from multiple contributors are automatically integrated into a shared repository. It helps identify and address integration issues early in the development process.
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Cost of Delay
A measure of the impact of delaying the delivery of a feature or project. It quantifies the potential loss in value or revenue caused by postponing development and helps prioritize work based on its urgency and importance.
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Cross-Functional Team
A team composed of individuals with diverse skills, expertise, and roles necessary for completing a specific project or task. Cross-functional teams promote collaboration, creativity, and a holistic approach to problem-solving.
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Crystal Agile Framework
A family of Agile methodologies, each tailored to specific project characteristics. Crystal methodologies prioritize communication and teamwork, adapting to project complexity, team size, and criticality.
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Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
The total cost incurred to acquire a new customer, including marketing, advertising, and sales expenses. Calculating CAC helps businesses assess the efficiency of their customer acquisition strategies.
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Customer Advisory Board
A group of selected customers who provide feedback, insights, and recommendations to a company regarding its products and services. Customer advisory boards help businesses align offerings with customer needs and preferences.
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Customer Development
A methodology that emphasizes engaging with potential customers early in the product development process. It involves validating assumptions, gathering feedback, and iteratively refining products based on customer input.
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Customer Empathy
The ability to understand and share the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of customers. It is a key aspect of design thinking and user-centric product development, ensuring that products meet genuine user needs and expectations.
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Customer Experience
The overall perception and satisfaction a customer has with a company throughout the entire customer journey. Positive customer experiences contribute to customer loyalty, retention, and positive word-of-mouth.
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Customer Feedback
Information, opinions, and suggestions provided by customers about a product or service. Customer feedback is valuable for product improvement, identifying areas for enhancement, and maintaining customer satisfaction.
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Customer Journey Map
A visual representation of a customer's interactions and experiences with a brand across various touchpoints. It helps businesses understand and optimize the customer journey, identifying pain points and opportunities for improvement.
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Customer Validation
The process of confirming that a product or feature meets the needs and expectations of the target audience. It involves gathering feedback, conducting tests, and ensuring that the product resonates with real-world users.
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DACI Decision-Making Framework
A decision-making framework that assigns clear roles to individuals involved in the decision: Driver, Approver, Contributor, and Informed. DACI ensures accountability, transparency, and effective communication during the decision-making process.
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Daily Scrum
A brief and daily stand-up meeting in Agile methodologies where team members discuss progress, challenges, and plans for the day. It enhances communication, collaboration, and alignment within the development team.
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Data Product Manager
A specialized product management role focused on products centered around data, analytics, and business intelligence. Data Product Managers work to deliver data-driven solutions, often collaborating with data scientists and analysts.
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DEEP Backlog
An acronym for Detailed Appropriately, Emergent, Estimated, and Prioritized, describing the characteristics of a well-maintained Agile product backlog. DEEP ensures that backlog items are sufficiently detailed, responsive to change, estimated, and prioritized for development.
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Definition of Done
A set of criteria that must be met for a product increment to be considered complete and ready for release. It ensures a common understanding within the development team and stakeholders about the quality and completeness of work.
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Definition of Ready
A set of criteria that a user story or backlog item must meet before it is ready to be selected for development. It ensures that items are well-defined, clear, and feasible for implementation by the development team.
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Dependency
A relationship between two tasks, user stories, or features where the completion of one is contingent on the completion of the other. Managing dependencies is crucial for effective project planning and execution.
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Design Concept
A preliminary idea or proposal outlining the visual and functional aspects of a product or feature. Design concepts serve as a starting point for discussion and refinement in the product development process.
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Design Ops
An organizational approach that aims to streamline and optimize the design process, fostering collaboration, efficiency, and consistency. Design Ops focuses on improving workflows, tools, and communication within design teams.
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Design Thinking
A problem-solving approach that emphasizes empathy, ideation, and prototyping to address complex issues and create innovative solutions. Design Thinking encourages a user-centric perspective and iterative development.
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DevOps
A collaborative approach that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to enhance the entire software delivery lifecycle. DevOps aims to improve collaboration, communication, and automation, enabling faster and more reliable releases.
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Digital Product Manager
A product management role focused on digital products, services, or experiences. Digital Product Managers work to align digital offerings with business goals, user needs, and technological capabilities.
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Digital Transformation
The strategic use of digital technologies to fundamentally change business processes, customer experiences, and organizational culture. Digital transformation aims to enhance efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness.
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Disciplined Agile (DA)
A framework that provides a pragmatic approach to Agile and Lean practices for enterprise-level agility. Disciplined Agile (DA) focuses on flexibility and tailoring practices to fit the unique needs of an organization.
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Disruptive Innovation
The introduction of a new product, service, or technology that significantly alters an existing market or industry. Disruptive innovations often create new business models and challenge established competitors.
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Distinctive Competence
A unique capability or set of capabilities that sets a company apart from its competitors and contributes to its competitive advantage. Distinctive competence is a key factor in a company's long-term success.
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Documentation
A systematic recording of information related to a project, product, or process. Documentation serves as a reference, aids in knowledge transfer, and ensures clarity and consistency in development and decision-making.
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Dual-Track Agile
An Agile product development approach that involves parallel tracks for discovery and delivery. The discovery track focuses on exploration and validation of ideas, while the delivery track handles implementation and release.
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Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM)
An Agile project delivery framework that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and user involvement. DSDM provides a structured approach to project management, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality solutions.
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Eisenhower Matrix
A prioritization framework that categorizes tasks based on their urgency and importance. It consists of four quadrants: Do First (Urgent and Important), Schedule (Not Urgent but Important), Delegate (Urgent but Not Important), and Don't Do (Not Urgent and Not Important).
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End-User Era
A phase in technology adoption where end-users play a central role in shaping the features and usability of products. During the End-User Era, there is a shift towards user-centric design and customization based on user feedback.
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Engineering Backlog
A prioritized list of technical tasks and requirements that need to be addressed by the engineering team. The Engineering Backlog complements the product backlog and focuses on technical aspects such as refactoring, technical debt, and infrastructure improvements.
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Enterprise Architecture Planning
A strategic planning process that aligns an organization's IT infrastructure with its overall business goals. Enterprise Architecture Planning involves defining standards, frameworks, and guidelines to ensure efficient and effective use of technology resources.
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Enterprise Architecture Roadmap
A visual representation outlining the strategic goals, milestones, and planned changes in an organization's IT architecture over time. The roadmap guides the evolution of the enterprise architecture to support business objectives.
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Enterprise Feedback Management
A systematic approach to collecting, analyzing, and leveraging feedback from various stakeholders, including customers, employees, and partners. Enterprise Feedback Management aims to improve products, services, and overall organizational performance.
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Enterprise Transformation
A comprehensive and strategic initiative to redefine and reshape an organization's structure, processes, and culture. Enterprise Transformation involves significant changes across multiple dimensions to enhance overall performance and competitiveness.
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Epic
A large and complex user story that is too extensive to be completed in a single iteration or sprint. Epics are often broken down into smaller, more manageable user stories during the backlog refinement process.
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eXtreme Programming (XP)
An Agile software development methodology that emphasizes customer satisfaction, continuous feedback, and quick adaptation to changing requirements. eXtreme Programming (XP) includes practices such as pair programming, test-driven development, and frequent releases.
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Feature Audit
An assessment and analysis of the existing features within a product or system. A feature audit helps evaluate the relevance, performance, and user satisfaction of each feature, supporting decisions on enhancement, removal, or redesign.
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Feature Bloat
The presence of excessive and unnecessary features within a product, often resulting in a complex and overwhelming user experience. Feature bloat can lead to decreased usability and increased development and maintenance costs.
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Feature Creep
The gradual and unplanned expansion of a project's scope through the addition of new features. Feature creep can lead to project delays, increased costs, and a diluted focus on core functionalities.
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Feature Driven Development (FDD)
An iterative and incremental software development methodology that emphasizes building features based on client-valued functionality. Feature Driven Development (FDD) is characterized by short design and build cycles focused on delivering tangible results.
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Feature Factory
A metaphorical term describing an organization or development team that prioritizes and produces features at a high volume but may lack a strategic focus on user value or long-term product goals. The term emphasizes quantity over quality.
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Feature Flag
A software development technique that allows developers to modify system behavior without changing code. Feature flags enable controlled feature rollouts, A/B testing, and the ability to quickly revert changes if issues arise.
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Feature Kickoff
A structured meeting or event marking the beginning of the development process for a specific feature. The feature kickoff typically involves key stakeholders and aims to align the team on objectives, requirements, and timelines.
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Feature-Less Roadmap
A product roadmap that focuses on outcomes, goals, and user value rather than listing specific features. A feature-less roadmap provides flexibility and allows teams to adapt to changing priorities while staying aligned with strategic objectives.
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Feature Outcome Assessment
An evaluation of the impact and success of a deployed feature based on predefined success criteria. Feature outcome assessments help measure whether a feature has achieved its intended goals and provided value to users and the business.
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Feature Release
The process of making a new feature or set of features available to users. Feature releases may involve communication, user education, and marketing efforts to ensure users are aware of and can effectively use the new functionality.
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Features
Distinct functionalities or capabilities of a product that contribute to its overall value. Features are often described in user stories and play a crucial role in defining the product's capabilities and meeting user needs.
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Feedback Management
A systematic approach to collecting, analyzing, and leveraging feedback from users, customers, and stakeholders. Feedback management helps organizations make data-driven decisions, improve products, and enhance customer satisfaction.
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Fibonacci Agile Estimation
A technique in Agile project estimation where the Fibonacci sequence (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.) is used to assign relative sizes to user stories or tasks. Fibonacci agile estimation provides a quick and relative measure of effort required for different items.
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Finance Product Manager
A product management role focused on developing and managing financial products and services. Finance Product Managers work to align financial offerings with customer needs, regulatory requirements, and business objectives.
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Fundamentally New Product
A product that introduces a groundbreaking or revolutionary concept, technology, or approach that significantly differs from existing solutions in the market. Fundamentally new products often disrupt industries and redefine user expectations.
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Gantt Chart
A visual representation of a project schedule that displays tasks, milestones, and their dependencies over time. Gantt charts provide a comprehensive view of project progress, helping teams plan, track, and communicate project timelines.
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General Availability (GA)
The stage in a product's lifecycle when it is officially released and made available to the general public or intended audience. General Availability marks the end of beta testing and signifies that the product is considered stable and ready for widespread use.
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GIST Planning
A lightweight and flexible planning approach that emphasizes goals, ideas, steps, and tasks. GIST planning provides a framework for quickly capturing and organizing ideas into actionable steps, promoting agility and adaptability.
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Go-to-Market Strategy
A comprehensive plan outlining how a product or service will be introduced, marketed, and sold to customers. The go-to-market strategy includes considerations such as target audience, pricing, distribution channels, and promotional activities.
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Greenfield Project
A project that involves starting a new development or initiative from scratch, without inheriting constraints or dependencies from existing systems. Greenfield projects offer the opportunity for innovation and the implementation of the latest technologies.
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Group Product Manager
A senior-level product management role responsible for overseeing multiple product managers and product lines within a specific business or organizational unit. Group Product Managers play a key role in aligning product strategies with overall business objectives.
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Growth Product Manager
A product management role focused on driving user acquisition, retention, and revenue growth. Growth Product Managers employ data-driven strategies, experimentation, and optimization to achieve measurable business outcomes.
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HEART Framework
A framework for measuring user experience (UX) developed by Google. HEART stands for Happiness, Engagement, Adoption, Retention, and Task Success. It provides a set of metrics to assess the overall impact of design and product changes on user satisfaction.
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Hook Model
A behavioral design framework introduced by Nir Eyal that describes how products can create habits and engage users. The Hook Model consists of four components: Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, and Investment.
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ICE Scoring Model
A prioritization framework used to evaluate and rank ideas or features based on their Impact, Confidence, and Ease of implementation. ICE scoring helps product teams focus on high-impact and feasible initiatives.
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Idea Backlog
A repository of potential ideas and suggestions for product improvements, features, or innovations. The idea backlog serves as a source for ongoing ideation and is often reviewed and prioritized during product planning sessions.
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Idea Management
A systematic approach to collecting, evaluating, and implementing ideas from various sources, including employees, customers, and stakeholders. Idea management processes help organizations foster innovation and gather valuable insights.
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Ideation
The process of generating, developing, and refining creative ideas and concepts. Ideation involves collaborative brainstorming sessions, workshops, and techniques to inspire innovative solutions for products or projects.
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Impact Mapping
A strategic planning technique that visually depicts how specific goals or objectives will create positive impacts on an organization. Impact mapping helps teams align their efforts with business outcomes and prioritize activities that deliver the most value.
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Implicit Requirements
Unstated or implied needs and expectations that are not explicitly expressed by users but are essential for the success of a product or project. Identifying implicit requirements requires a deep understanding of user behaviors, preferences, and context.
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In-App Messaging
A communication method that allows applications to send messages, notifications, or alerts directly to users while they are using the app. In-app messaging is often used for announcements, updates, and personalized user engagement.
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Incident Management Practice
A set of processes and procedures aimed at detecting, responding to, and resolving incidents that disrupt the normal operation of IT services. Incident management practices focus on minimizing downtime and restoring services promptly.
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Incremental Innovation
A type of innovation that involves making small and continuous improvements to existing products, processes, or services. Incremental innovation is evolutionary and typically focuses on enhancing efficiency, features, or user experience.
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Information Flows in Product Management
The pathways through which information is exchanged and communicated within the product management process. Information flows involve interactions between stakeholders, teams, and systems to ensure alignment, collaboration, and informed decision-making.
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Information Technology
The use of computers, networks, software, and other technologies to store, process, retrieve, and transmit information. Information technology encompasses a broad range of tools and systems used to manage and manipulate digital data.
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Innovation Management
A strategic and systematic approach to fostering and guiding the innovation process within an organization. Innovation management involves creating a culture of innovation, capturing and evaluating ideas, and implementing successful innovations.
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Intuitive Design
The creation of products, interfaces, or experiences that are easy to understand and use without the need for explicit instructions. Intuitive design relies on familiar patterns, logical layouts, and user-friendly interactions.
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IoT (Internet of Things) Product Manager
A product management role specializing in products and solutions that involve the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT Product Managers focus on creating connected devices and services that leverage data and connectivity to provide value to users.
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Iteration
A single cycle or instance in an iterative development process. Iterations involve the completion of a set of tasks, often including planning, design, implementation, and testing, with the goal of producing a functional and improved product increment.
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Iterative Testing
A testing approach where testing activities are repeated and refined throughout the development lifecycle. Iterative testing ensures that issues are identified and addressed early, contributing to the continuous improvement of the product.
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IT Management
The process of planning, organizing, and overseeing the use of information technology resources within an organization. IT management involves strategic decision-making, resource allocation, and ensuring the alignment of IT activities with business objectives.
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IT Project Manager
A project management role focused on planning, executing, and closing information technology projects. IT Project Managers oversee the development and implementation of IT systems, applications, and infrastructure to achieve project goals.
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Jira
A popular project management and issue tracking tool developed by Atlassian. Jira is widely used for Agile software development, enabling teams to plan, track, and manage their work through customizable workflows and collaboration features.
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Jobs-To-Be-Done Framework
A product development and innovation framework that focuses on understanding the underlying goals or 'jobs' that users aim to accomplish. The Jobs-To-Be-Done framework helps product teams design solutions that effectively address user needs and motivations.
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Kanban Board
A visual tool used in Kanban methodology to represent the flow of work through different stages of a process. The Kanban board typically consists of columns representing workflow stages and cards representing individual tasks or work items.
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Kanban Roadmap
A visual representation outlining the planned activities, milestones, and priorities in a Kanban system. The Kanban roadmap provides transparency into the team's work and helps stakeholders understand the flow of tasks and improvements over time.
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Kano Model
A product development and customer satisfaction theory introduced by Noriaki Kano. The Kano Model categorizes features into basic needs, performance needs, and delighters, providing a framework for understanding and prioritizing customer preferences and expectations.
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Key Performance Indicator (KPI)
A measurable metric that reflects the performance of a business, team, or process in achieving specific objectives. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are used to track progress, assess effectiveness, and guide decision-making.
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Lead Product Manager
A senior-level product management role responsible for providing leadership and direction to a product management team. Lead Product Managers play a key role in setting product strategy, aligning with business goals, and mentoring other product managers.
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Lean Software Development
An Agile development approach that emphasizes delivering value to customers while minimizing waste. Lean Software Development principles include continuous improvement, delivering as fast as possible, and optimizing the whole development process.
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LeSS (Large Scale Scrum)
A framework for scaling Scrum to large and complex projects. LeSS (Large Scale Scrum) emphasizes simplicity, collaboration, and flexibility, providing a structure for multiple Scrum teams to work together on a shared product.
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Lifetime Value (LTV)
A metric that calculates the total revenue a business expects to earn from a customer throughout their entire relationship. Lifetime Value (LTV) is used to assess the long-term profitability of acquiring and retaining customers.
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Market Requirements Document (MRD)
A document that outlines the market-oriented features and requirements for a product. The Market Requirements Document (MRD) serves as a bridge between market needs and the product development process, guiding the creation of a successful product.
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Market Validation
The process of testing and validating a product or idea in the market to ensure it meets customer needs and has the potential for success. Market validation involves gathering feedback, analyzing market trends, and adjusting the product strategy accordingly.
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Method of Procedure
A step-by-step document that provides detailed instructions for performing a specific task or process. Methods of procedure are commonly used in technical and operational contexts to ensure consistency and accuracy in execution.
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Minimum Viable Experience (MVE)
A concept similar to Minimum Viable Product (MVP) but focusing on delivering a minimal yet complete and satisfactory user experience. Minimum Viable Experience (MVE) aims to provide users with a meaningful and valuable interaction with the product.
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Minimum Viable Feature (MVF)
The smallest set of features that delivers value to users and allows a product to be released and tested in the market. Minimum Viable Feature (MVF) is a subset of functionalities that enables rapid iteration and learning.
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Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
A version of a product that includes only the essential features necessary to meet the needs of early adopters and gather feedback. Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is designed to be released quickly to validate assumptions and learn from user interactions.
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Mockup
A visual representation or prototype of a user interface or design. Mockups are used to illustrate the layout, structure, and visual elements of a product, allowing stakeholders to review and provide feedback before actual development begins.
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Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)
A key metric that represents the predictable and recurring revenue generated by a subscription-based business model on a monthly basis. Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) is used to assess the financial health and growth of subscription businesses.
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MoSCoW Prioritization
A prioritization technique used in project management to categorize tasks and requirements into Must-haves, Should-haves, Could-haves, and Won't-haves. MoSCoW prioritization helps teams focus on the most critical and high-priority elements of a project.
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Needfinding
The process of actively seeking and identifying user needs, problems, and preferences through observation, interviews, and other research methods. Needfinding is a crucial step in user-centered design and product development to ensure solutions align with user expectations.
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Net Promoter Score (NPS)
A metric used to measure customer satisfaction and loyalty based on the likelihood of customers recommending a company's product or service to others. Net Promoter Score (NPS) is calculated using a scale and provides insights into overall customer advocacy.
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Objectives and Key Results
A goal-setting framework that defines objectives (what needs to be achieved) and key results (specific, measurable outcomes) to track progress toward those objectives. Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) are commonly used to align teams and drive performance.
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Opportunity Scoring
A method of evaluating and ranking business opportunities based on predefined criteria and factors. Opportunity scoring helps product teams prioritize initiatives, features, or markets by assessing their potential impact and alignment with strategic goals.
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Opportunity Solution Tree
A visual tool used in product management to explore and map potential solutions to identified opportunities or problems. The Opportunity Solution Tree helps teams visualize and prioritize different paths for addressing user needs and achieving desired outcomes.
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PDCA Cycle
An iterative problem-solving and continuous improvement framework consisting of Plan, Do, Check, and Act stages. The PDCA cycle, also known as the Deming Cycle or Shewhart Cycle, is widely used in quality management and process improvement.
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Pendo
A product analytics and user feedback platform that provides insights into user behavior within digital products. Pendo helps product teams understand how users interact with features, gather feedback, and make data-driven decisions to improve the user experience.
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Persona
A fictional representation of a target user segment based on demographic, behavioral, and psychographic characteristics. Personas are created to humanize user groups, guide design decisions, and ensure products meet the needs of specific user types.
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PERT Chart
A project management tool that visualizes the tasks and timelines of a project using nodes (events) and arrows (activities) to represent dependencies and the flow of work. PERT charts help teams estimate project duration and identify critical path activities.
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Pivot
A strategic change in a company's direction, product offering, or business model in response to market feedback or changing circumstances. Pivoting allows organizations to adapt to new information and optimize their approach for success.
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Planning Poker
An Agile estimation technique where a team collectively assigns effort estimates to user stories or tasks. Planning Poker involves team members using cards with numerical values to express their estimation, fostering collaborative decision-making and consensus building.
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Platform Product Manager
A product management role focused on overseeing the development and strategy of a platform that serves as the foundation for multiple products or services. Platform Product Managers work to align platform capabilities with business goals and user needs.
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Prioritization
The process of determining the order of tasks, features, or projects based on their importance, urgency, and alignment with strategic goals. Prioritization is crucial in product management to allocate resources effectively and deliver maximum value to users and the business.
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Product
A tangible or intangible offering that satisfies a need or demand and is intended for use or consumption. Products can include physical goods, digital services, software, or a combination of these, designed to address specific user problems or desires.
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Product Adoption
The process by which users become aware of, try, and eventually integrate a new product or feature into their regular routines. Product adoption is a key metric for assessing the success and impact of product launches and updates.
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Product Analytics
The use of data analysis tools and techniques to gain insights into user behavior, product performance, and business metrics. Product analytics helps product teams make informed decisions, identify opportunities for improvement, and measure the success of product initiatives.
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Product Architecture
The design and structure of a product, including its components, modules, and their interactions. Product architecture influences product functionality, scalability, and maintainability, playing a crucial role in the overall success of a product.
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Product Backlog
A dynamic and prioritized list of features, enhancements, and tasks that need to be addressed in a product. The product backlog is a key artifact in Agile development, guiding the team on what to work on next and ensuring alignment with overall goals.
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Product Brief
A concise document outlining the key details and objectives of a product, project, or feature. The product brief provides stakeholders with a clear understanding of the purpose, scope, and success criteria of the initiative.
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Product-Centric
A business or organizational approach that places the product at the center of decision-making, strategy, and operations. A product-centric mindset prioritizes delivering value to users and achieving product-related goals as key drivers of success.
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Product Consolidation
The process of combining multiple products, features, or services into a unified and streamlined offering. Product consolidation aims to improve efficiency, reduce complexity, and enhance the overall user experience.
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Product Council
A cross-functional group within an organization responsible for strategic product decision-making. The product council typically includes key stakeholders, product managers, and leaders who collaborate to align product strategies with business objectives.
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Product Critique
A structured evaluation and discussion of a product's design, features, and functionality by a team of stakeholders. Product critiques aim to gather diverse perspectives, identify improvements, and ensure that the product aligns with user needs and business goals.
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Product Design
The process of conceptualizing and creating the visual and functional aspects of a product to meet user needs and solve specific problems. Product design involves user research, ideation, prototyping, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
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Product Designer
A professional responsible for the visual and interactive design of a product. Product designers collaborate with product managers, engineers, and other stakeholders to create user-centric and aesthetically pleasing product experiences.
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Product Development Cycle
The series of stages and activities involved in bringing a product from concept to market. The product development cycle typically includes ideation, planning, design, development, testing, launch, and ongoing iteration based on feedback and data.
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Product Development Manager
A leadership role responsible for overseeing the end-to-end process of developing and delivering a product. Product Development Managers collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful execution of product strategies and objectives.
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Product Development Process
The systematic series of steps and activities involved in conceiving, designing, building, and launching a product. The product development process aims to efficiently bring innovative and high-quality products to market.
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Product Differentiation
The process of highlighting and communicating unique features, benefits, or attributes of a product to distinguish it from competitors in the market. Product differentiation is a key strategy to attract and retain customers.
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Product Discovery
The iterative process of identifying, exploring, and validating opportunities for creating new products or enhancing existing ones. Product discovery involves user research, ideation, experimentation, and collaboration to uncover valuable insights and inform product decisions.
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Product Disruptor
A product that significantly alters or revolutionizes an industry or market by introducing innovative features, technologies, or business models. Product disruptors challenge existing norms and often gain a competitive advantage by reshaping the landscape of their respective industries.
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Product Enablement
The strategic process of equipping internal teams, users, and stakeholders with the tools, knowledge, and resources necessary to maximize the value and potential of a product. Product enablement aims to enhance product adoption, proficiency, and overall effectiveness.
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Product Engagement Score
A metric that measures the level of user interaction, satisfaction, and overall engagement with a product. The product engagement score helps assess the effectiveness of features, identify areas for improvement, and gauge the impact on user retention and loyalty.
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Product Excellence
The pursuit of delivering products that consistently meet or exceed user expectations, drive value, and achieve business goals. Product excellence encompasses effective strategy, design, development, and ongoing optimization to ensure long-term success in the market.
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Product Launch
The coordinated effort to introduce a new product or a significant update to an existing product to the market. A successful product launch involves strategic planning, marketing, communication, and execution to create awareness and drive adoption.
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Product Launch Management
The systematic planning, coordination, and execution of activities related to bringing a new product to market. Product launch management involves cross-functional collaboration, timeline adherence, and effective communication to ensure a successful and impactful launch.
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Product Launch Manager
A role responsible for overseeing and leading the planning and execution of a product launch. The Product Launch Manager coordinates efforts across teams, manages timelines, and ensures that all aspects of the launch align with strategic objectives.
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Product Leadership
The ability to guide and inspire teams in the strategic development and delivery of successful products. Product leadership involves a combination of vision, communication, decision-making, and fostering a culture of innovation within the product organization.
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Product-Led Culture
An organizational mindset that prioritizes and values the role of product management in driving business success. A product-led culture encourages collaboration, customer-centricity, and a focus on delivering value through effective product development and management.
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Product-Led Growth
A business strategy that relies on the product itself to drive customer acquisition, conversion, and retention. Product-led growth emphasizes user experience, self-service capabilities, and the creation of products that naturally attract and retain users.
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Product-Led Organization
An organization where product management plays a central role in driving strategic decisions, innovation, and overall business success. In a product-led organization, cross-functional collaboration and a customer-centric approach are key principles.
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Product Life Cycle
The stages that a product goes through from its initial introduction to the market until its eventual decline and discontinuation. The product life cycle includes phases such as introduction, growth, maturity, and decline, each requiring different strategies and actions.
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Product Management Audit
A systematic assessment of the effectiveness, processes, and outcomes of the product management function within an organization. A product management audit aims to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement to enhance overall product management capabilities.
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Product Management Talent
The collective skills, expertise, and capabilities of individuals involved in product management roles within an organization. Product management talent is crucial for driving successful product development, innovation, and achieving strategic objectives.
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Product Manager
A professional responsible for the strategic planning, development, and management of a product throughout its life cycle. Product Managers collaborate with cross-functional teams, prioritize features, and align product strategies with business goals.
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Product-Market Fit
The point at which a product meets the needs and demands of a specific market segment, resulting in widespread user adoption and satisfaction. Achieving product-market fit is a critical milestone for the success and sustainability of a product.
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Product Marketing Manager
A role responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies specifically focused on promoting and positioning a product in the market. Product Marketing Managers collaborate with product teams to drive awareness, adoption, and overall success of the product.
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Product Metrics
Quantifiable measurements used to assess the performance, effectiveness, and impact of a product. Product metrics provide valuable insights into user behavior, product usage, and business outcomes, helping product teams make informed decisions and improvements.
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Product Mission
A concise statement that defines the overarching purpose and objectives of a product. The product mission articulates the core values, goals, and intended impact of the product, guiding decision-making and aligning the team toward a common vision.
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Product Mix Strategy
The strategic approach to managing and optimizing the combination of products or services offered by a company. Product mix strategy involves decisions related to product diversification, pricing, and positioning to maximize overall business performance.
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Product Onboarding
The process of guiding users through the initial stages of using a product to ensure a smooth and positive experience. Product onboarding includes activities such as user education, feature introductions, and assistance to help users achieve value quickly.
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Product Operating Model
The framework and set of processes that define how a product team operates and collaborates to achieve its goals. A product operating model includes elements such as roles and responsibilities, workflows, and communication structures within the product organization.
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Product Ops
The practice of applying operational principles and methodologies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of product management. Product Ops involves streamlining processes, improving collaboration, and aligning product teams with organizational goals.
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Product Optimization
The ongoing process of refining and improving a product to enhance its performance, user experience, and overall value. Product optimization involves analyzing data, gathering user feedback, and making iterative changes to maximize product success.
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Product Owner
A key role in Agile development responsible for representing the voice of the customer and defining product features. The Product Owner collaborates with the development team, prioritizes the product backlog, and ensures that delivered features meet user needs and business objectives.
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Product Planning
The strategic process of setting goals, defining features, and outlining the roadmap for a product. Product planning involves aligning product strategies with business objectives, market needs, and user feedback to create a comprehensive plan for development and growth.
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Product Portfolio Management
The systematic approach to overseeing and optimizing a collection of products within an organization. Product portfolio management involves strategic planning, resource allocation, and decision-making to ensure that the product portfolio aligns with business goals and market demands.
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Product Portfolio Manager
A role responsible for overseeing and managing the entire portfolio of products within an organization. The Product Portfolio Manager ensures alignment with business goals, monitors performance, and makes strategic decisions to optimize the overall product portfolio.
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Product Positioning
The strategic process of defining how a product distinguishes itself from competitors in the minds of target customers. Product positioning involves crafting a unique value proposition and communicating key benefits to create a favorable perception in the market.
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Product Process Matrix
A tool used to categorize and analyze different types of products based on their characteristics and the processes involved in their development. The product process matrix helps organizations tailor their product management approaches to specific product types.
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Product Profitability
The measure of a product's ability to generate profit relative to its costs and investments. Product profitability analysis involves assessing revenue, expenses, and margins to understand the financial performance and viability of a product in the market.
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Product Requirements Document
A comprehensive document that outlines the specifications, features, and functionalities required for the development of a product. The Product Requirements Document (PRD) serves as a blueprint for the product team, providing clear guidance on what needs to be built and why.
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Product Requirements Management
The systematic process of capturing, organizing, and tracking the requirements of a product throughout its development life cycle. Product requirements management involves collaboration between cross-functional teams and ensures that features align with business goals and user needs.
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Product Sense
The intuitive and deep understanding of user needs, market trends, and the competitive landscape that guides effective product decision-making. Product sense is a key attribute for product managers, enabling them to identify opportunities and create successful, user-centric products.
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Product Specs
Detailed specifications and requirements for the design, functionality, and features of a product. Product specs provide a blueprint for development teams, ensuring a clear and shared understanding of how a product should be built and how it will meet user needs.
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Product Stack
The combination of technologies, tools, and frameworks used in the development and operation of a product. The product stack encompasses the software, hardware, and infrastructure components that contribute to the overall architecture and functionality of the product.
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Product Strategist
An individual who formulates and drives the overarching strategy for a product or product portfolio. A product strategist combines market knowledge, user insights, and business goals to define a roadmap that ensures the product's long-term success and competitive advantage.
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Product Strategy
The high-level plan that outlines the goals, direction, and approach for developing and managing a product. Product strategy aligns the product roadmap with business objectives, market needs, and user expectations to achieve sustainable success and competitive advantage.
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Product Strategy Framework
A structured approach or model used to develop and communicate the overall strategy for a product. A product strategy framework typically includes components such as market analysis, competitive positioning, user needs assessment, and a roadmap for execution.
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Product Tree
A visual representation or framework that organizes and categorizes the features, functionalities, and components of a product in a hierarchical tree-like structure. The product tree provides a clear overview of the product's architecture and helps communicate its complexity and interconnections.
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Product Vision
A compelling and aspirational description of the future state and impact that a product aims to achieve. The product vision serves as a guiding beacon for the product team, aligning their efforts and decisions with a shared understanding of the product's purpose and value.
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Product Vulnerability
The susceptibility of a product to risks, threats, or weaknesses that may impact its performance, security, or market competitiveness. Managing product vulnerability involves proactive risk assessment, mitigation strategies, and continuous monitoring to safeguard the product's integrity and success.
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Program Management
The coordinated planning, execution, and oversight of multiple related projects within an organization to achieve strategic objectives. Program management involves managing dependencies, resources, and timelines to ensure the successful delivery of a set of interconnected projects.
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Program Manager
An individual responsible for overseeing and managing a program, which consists of multiple interconnected projects. The Program Manager ensures that projects align with organizational goals, manages resources, and coordinates efforts to achieve the overall program objectives.
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Project Manager
An individual responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects within an organization. Project Managers coordinate resources, timelines, and deliverables to ensure that projects are completed successfully, on time, and within budget.
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Project Roadmap
A visual representation or plan that outlines the key milestones, activities, and timelines for the successful execution of a project. The project roadmap provides a strategic overview, helping teams and stakeholders understand the project's trajectory and goals.
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Quality Assurance
The systematic process of ensuring that a product or service meets specified quality standards and fulfills user requirements. Quality assurance involves activities such as testing, inspection, and process improvement to identify and rectify defects before product release.
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Quality Function Deployment (QFD)
A structured approach used in product development to ensure that customer needs and expectations are translated into specific product features and attributes. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) facilitates cross-functional collaboration and alignment with customer requirements throughout the development process.
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Rapid Application Development (RAD)
An iterative and accelerated approach to software development that emphasizes rapid prototyping, user feedback, and quick iterations. Rapid Application Development (RAD) aims to deliver functional software quickly, adapt to changing requirements, and involve users throughout the development process.
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Rapid Experimentation
A methodical and iterative approach to testing hypotheses and ideas through quick and cost-effective experiments. Rapid experimentation enables teams to gather insights, validate assumptions, and make informed decisions in an efficient manner.
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Rapid Prototyping
The process of quickly creating a preliminary version or prototype of a product to visualize and test design concepts. Rapid prototyping allows for early feedback, iteration, and refinement of the product before investing significant resources in full-scale development.
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Rational Product Management
An approach to product management that emphasizes logical decision-making, data-driven insights, and a systematic process for developing and managing products. Rational product management aims to minimize biases and subjectivity in decision-making through rigorous analysis and evaluation.
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Refactoring
The process of restructuring and improving the internal structure or codebase of a software application without changing its external behavior. Refactoring aims to enhance code quality, maintainability, and adaptability without introducing new features or functionality.
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Release Demo
A demonstration or presentation of the features and improvements included in a product release. The release demo provides stakeholders, including users and internal teams, with a firsthand view of the changes and enhancements introduced in the latest product version.
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Release Management
The planning, coordination, and oversight of the processes involved in delivering a new version or update of a product to users. Release management includes activities such as feature prioritization, testing, deployment, and communication to ensure a smooth and successful release.
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Release Notes
Documentation that accompanies a product release and provides users, stakeholders, and the development team with detailed information about the changes, enhancements, and fixes included in the release. Release notes serve as a valuable resource for understanding the impact of the update.
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Release Plan
A strategic document that outlines the schedule, scope, and objectives for delivering a product release. The release plan guides the development team, stakeholders, and other involved parties in coordinating efforts to ensure a successful and timely release.
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Retention
The ability of a product or service to retain users over a specific period. Retention is a key metric in assessing customer loyalty and the overall success of a product, indicating its ability to meet ongoing user needs and expectations.
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Retention Rate
A metric that measures the percentage of customers or users who continue to use a product or service over a specific time period. Retention rate is a critical indicator of customer satisfaction and the effectiveness of ongoing product engagement strategies.
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Retrospective
A structured meeting or activity held at the end of a project or iteration to reflect on what worked well, what could be improved, and how to enhance future processes. Retrospectives promote continuous improvement and learning within a team or organization.
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RICE Scoring Model
A prioritization framework used to evaluate and rank ideas, features, or projects based on four key factors: Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort. The RICE scoring model helps product teams make informed decisions about resource allocation and prioritize initiatives with the greatest potential impact.
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Roadmap
A visual representation or strategic plan that outlines the high-level goals, initiatives, and major milestones for a product or project over a specific time frame. Roadmaps provide a clear and communicative overview of the product's direction and planned development path.
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Roadmap Milestones
Key and significant events, achievements, or deliverables planned along the timeline of a product roadmap. Roadmap milestones serve as markers for progress, allowing teams and stakeholders to track the successful completion of important stages in the product development process.
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Roadmapping Tool
Software or platform designed to facilitate the creation, visualization, and management of product roadmaps. Roadmapping tools provide features for collaboration, timeline tracking, and communication, aiding product teams in effectively planning and communicating their product strategies.
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Roadmap Revolution
A paradigm shift or significant transformation in the way product roadmaps are created, communicated, and utilized within an organization. Roadmap revolution often involves adopting new methodologies, tools, or approaches to enhance the agility and effectiveness of product planning and execution.
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Scaled Agile Framework
A comprehensive and scalable framework designed to guide large organizations in implementing agile and lean practices at scale. The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) provides principles, practices, and roles to coordinate and align multiple agile teams working on complex projects.
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Scope Creep
The uncontrolled expansion or addition of features, requirements, or tasks beyond the initially defined scope of a project. Scope creep can lead to increased costs, delays, and challenges in project management, emphasizing the importance of effective scope management.
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Scrum Agile Framework
An agile framework for managing and delivering complex projects. Scrum emphasizes iterative and incremental development, with roles such as Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team. Scrum ceremonies include Sprint Planning, Daily Standup, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective.
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Scrumban
An agile management framework that combines elements of Scrum and Kanban methodologies. Scrumban aims to leverage the strengths of both approaches, allowing teams to benefit from Scrum's structure and Kanban's flexibility in managing work items and continuous improvement.
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Scrum Master
A role in the Scrum framework responsible for facilitating and coaching the Scrum team, removing impediments, and ensuring adherence to Scrum practices. The Scrum Master plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration, continuous improvement, and the successful delivery of product increments.
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Scrum Meeting
A scheduled and time-boxed event within the Scrum framework to facilitate collaboration, communication, and planning among team members. Scrum meetings include Sprint Planning, Daily Standup, Sprint Review, and Sprint Retrospective, each serving a specific purpose in the agile development process.
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Service Transformation
The strategic and holistic process of reimagining, optimizing, and innovating the delivery of services within an organization. Service transformation aims to enhance customer experiences, improve efficiency, and align service delivery with evolving business goals and market demands.
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Shadow IT
The use of unauthorized or unapproved information technology solutions, applications, or services within an organization. Shadow IT often arises when individual departments or users procure and use technology independently of the central IT department, posing potential security and compliance risks.
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Shape Up Method
A product development methodology introduced by Basecamp that emphasizes fixed periods of time, known as cycles, for planning and building features. The Shape Up method aims to balance structured planning with the flexibility to explore and address unexpected challenges during development cycles.
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Shipyard Engine
Metaphorically, a term used to describe the structured and efficient process or system for shipping or delivering products. The shipyard engine represents the combination of methodologies, tools, and practices that enable organizations to consistently and successfully release high-quality products to users.
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SMART Goal Setting
An approach to goal setting that emphasizes creating goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. SMART goal setting provides a framework for setting clear and actionable objectives, enhancing focus and accountability in both individual and organizational contexts.
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Sprint
A time-boxed iteration in the Scrum framework, typically lasting two to four weeks, during which a cross-functional team completes a set of predefined tasks and delivers a potentially shippable product increment. Sprints enable incremental development, continuous feedback, and adaptability in agile projects.
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Sprint Backlog
A dynamic and evolving list of tasks, user stories, and features that a Scrum team plans to complete during a specific sprint. The Sprint Backlog is created during Sprint Planning and serves as a guide for the team's work and progress throughout the sprint.
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Sprint Goal
A concise and focused objective set by the Scrum team for a specific sprint. The Sprint Goal provides a clear direction for the team's work during the sprint and aligns the efforts of team members toward achieving a common purpose within the defined time frame.
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Sprint Planning
A collaborative meeting in the Scrum framework where the Scrum team plans and agrees upon the work to be completed during the upcoming sprint. Sprint Planning involves reviewing the product backlog, selecting user stories or tasks, and creating the Sprint Backlog with estimated effort.
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Sprint Planning
A collaborative meeting in the Scrum framework where the Scrum team plans and agrees upon the work to be completed during the upcoming sprint. Sprint Planning involves reviewing the product backlog, selecting user stories or tasks, and creating the Sprint Backlog with estimated effort.
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Stakeholder
An individual, group, or entity with a vested interest or role in the success of a project or the outcomes of a product. Stakeholders can include internal or external parties such as customers, employees, investors, or regulatory bodies.
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Stakeholder Analysis
A systematic process of identifying, assessing, and prioritizing the interests, influence, and potential impact of various stakeholders on a project or product. Stakeholder analysis helps teams understand the needs and expectations of different stakeholders and develop effective engagement strategies.
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Stakeholder Management
The strategic process of identifying, communicating with, and addressing the needs and concerns of stakeholders throughout the life cycle of a project or product. Stakeholder management aims to build positive relationships, manage expectations, and ensure stakeholder alignment with project goals.
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Standup
A brief and regular team meeting, often held daily, where team members provide status updates on their work, discuss challenges, and coordinate activities. Standup meetings promote communication, collaboration, and transparency within a team, especially in agile and Scrum methodologies.
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Story Mapping
A visual planning technique that helps product teams prioritize and organize user stories based on user experience and functionality. Story mapping provides a holistic view of a product's features, enabling teams to plan releases, identify dependencies, and align development with user needs.
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Story Point
A unit of measure used in agile development to estimate the relative effort or complexity of a user story or task. Story points provide a qualitative measure that helps teams assess the effort required for different work items, facilitating more accurate sprint planning and resource allocation.
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Story Points
Plural of 'Story Point,' representing the collective estimation of effort or complexity for a set of user stories or tasks within an agile project. Story points are used to gauge the overall workload and capacity for a sprint or iteration.
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Sunk Cost
A cost that has already been incurred and cannot be recovered. In decision-making, it is important to disregard sunk costs, as they should not influence future choices. Rational decision-making focuses on future costs and benefits rather than past expenditures.
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SWOT Analysis
A strategic planning tool that assesses the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to a project, business, or product. SWOT analysis helps organizations identify internal and external factors that may impact their success, facilitating informed decision-making and strategy development.
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Technical Debt
Metaphorically, the cumulative cost of shortcuts, suboptimal design, and postponed technical work in software development. Technical debt can impede future development and increase maintenance costs. Addressing technical debt is essential for maintaining a sustainable and efficient software development process.
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Technical Product Manager
A role that combines product management expertise with technical knowledge. Technical Product Managers bridge the gap between product development and business strategy, translating technical requirements, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure successful product delivery.
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The 4Ds of Time Management
A time management framework based on four actions: Delete, Delegate, Defer, and Do. The 4Ds help individuals prioritize tasks and make efficient use of their time by categorizing activities based on their urgency and importance.
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Theme
A broad and overarching category or topic that represents a set of related user stories or features within a product backlog. Themes help organize and prioritize work, providing a high-level view of the product's goals and objectives.
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The User Is Drunk
A humorous and creative term referring to the practice of experiencing and testing a product or user interface under the simulated influence of alcohol. 'The User Is Drunk' approach can uncover design flaws and usability issues by simulating a user's altered perspective and attention.
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Timeline Roadmap
A visual representation of a product roadmap that includes a chronological sequence of milestones, features, and planned releases over a specific time period. The timeline roadmap provides a clear overview of the product's development path and key events, aiding communication and planning.
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Top-Down Product Strategy
An approach to product strategy that starts with overarching organizational goals and objectives, and then defines specific product initiatives aligned with these goals. Top-down product strategy ensures alignment with the overall business strategy and facilitates a cohesive and focused product development approach.
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Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The entire revenue opportunity available in a specific market or industry for a particular product or service. Total Addressable Market (TAM) represents the maximum potential revenue that can be captured if a product achieves 100% market share.
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Tribe Model Management
An organizational model inspired by the Spotify Agile model, where teams are grouped into 'tribes' based on common objectives or functions. Tribe model management emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, autonomy, and alignment with strategic goals to enhance innovation and delivery speed.
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Turnover Rate
A metric that measures the percentage of employees who leave an organization within a specific period. Turnover rate is an important indicator of employee retention and organizational health, with high turnover rates potentially indicating issues with employee satisfaction, culture, or leadership.
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Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
A distinctive and compelling feature or benefit that sets a product, service, or brand apart from competitors in the eyes of the target audience. The Unique Selling Proposition (USP) communicates the unique value and reasons why customers should choose a particular offering over alternatives.
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Usability Testing
A method of evaluating a product's user interface, features, and overall user experience by observing users as they interact with the product. Usability testing helps identify usability issues, gather feedback, and make informed design improvements to enhance the overall user satisfaction.
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Use Case
A detailed description of how a user interacts with a system or product to achieve a specific goal. Use cases outline the step-by-step actions, interactions, and possible scenarios, providing a comprehensive understanding of how users engage with the product in real-world situations.
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User Experience (UX)
The overall quality of a user's interaction with a product, system, or service, encompassing aspects such as usability, accessibility, satisfaction, and emotional impact. User Experience (UX) design focuses on creating positive and meaningful experiences for users throughout their journey with a product.
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User Flow
The visual representation or map that illustrates the sequential steps a user takes to complete a task or achieve a goal within a digital product. User flows help designers and product teams understand the user's journey, identify potential pain points, and optimize the overall user experience.
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User Interface (UI)
The visual and interactive elements of a product or system through which users interact. User Interface (UI) design focuses on creating an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interface that facilitates effective user interaction and enhances the overall usability of the product.
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User Persona
A fictional and detailed representation of a target user or customer based on demographic, behavioral, and psychographic characteristics. User personas help product teams empathize with and understand the needs, preferences, and goals of specific user segments, guiding product design and development decisions.
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User Research
The systematic process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information about users, their behaviors, and their needs to inform the design and development of products. User research involves methods such as interviews, surveys, observations, and usability testing to gain valuable insights into user experiences.
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User Story
A concise and user-centric description of a feature, functionality, or requirement from the perspective of an end user. User stories are a fundamental component of agile development and serve as a communication tool to capture user needs and guide development tasks.
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UX Designer
A professional specializing in User Experience (UX) design, responsible for creating intuitive and user-centric digital interfaces. UX Designers use research, usability testing, and design principles to enhance the overall satisfaction and usability of products by focusing on users' needs, behaviors, and preferences.
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Value Proposition
A clear and compelling statement that communicates the unique value, benefits, and advantages a product or service offers to its target audience. A strong value proposition addresses the specific needs and desires of customers, differentiating the product or service from competitors in the market.
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Value vs. Complexity
A decision-making framework that assesses and compares the perceived value of a feature, functionality, or task against its complexity and resource requirements. Value vs. Complexity analysis helps product teams prioritize work by focusing on delivering high-value items with manageable levels of complexity and effort.
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Vanity Metrics
Metrics that provide a positive but often misleading view of a product's performance or success without offering meaningful insights into its underlying impact on key business objectives. Vanity metrics may include superficial indicators that do not contribute to actionable improvements or strategic decision-making.
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Velocity
A metric used in agile development to measure the amount of work completed by a team during a specific time, often expressed in story points. Velocity helps teams estimate their capacity for future sprints, plan releases, and track the progress of work, contributing to iterative and adaptive development practices.
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Voice of Customer (VoC)
The process of capturing and understanding customer expectations, preferences, and feedback to inform product development and improvement efforts. Voice of Customer (VoC) activities include surveys, interviews, and direct interactions, providing valuable insights to align products with customer needs and expectations.
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Waterfall
A traditional project management and software development methodology characterized by a linear and sequential approach to project phases, with each phase dependent on the completion of the previous one. Waterfall is known for its structured and plan-driven nature, with a clear delineation of requirements, design, implementation, testing, and deployment.
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Weighted Scoring
A decision-making technique that assigns weights to different criteria or factors based on their relative importance. Weighted scoring helps evaluate and prioritize options by considering both quantitative and qualitative aspects, facilitating a more objective and systematic decision-making process.
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Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF)
An agile prioritization technique that combines the concepts of job size, time criticality, and business value to determine the order in which features or tasks should be worked on. Weighted Shortest Job First (WSJF) aims to maximize the overall value delivered in a given time frame, considering both urgency and importance.
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Wireframe
A basic visual representation or blueprint of a digital interface or webpage, illustrating the layout, structure, and functionality without detailed design elements. Wireframes serve as a low-fidelity prototype, helping designers, developers, and stakeholders visualize and discuss the fundamental elements and interactions of a user interface.
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Working Backwards (the Amazon Method)
A product development and innovation approach pioneered by Amazon that starts with defining the desired customer experience and works backward to create the necessary technology and features. Working Backwards involves developing a press release and frequently asked questions (FAQ) before actual product development, ensuring a customer-centric and outcomes-focused process.
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