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How can PMs survive getting stuck in a waterfall

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Manage episode 466480797 series 3243128
Content provided by Path2Product. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Path2Product or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

In this episode ofLessons in Product Management, host John Fontenot tackles a listener's question:How can a product manager succeed in a waterfall environment? He acknowledges that while Agile is often the preferred framework, many industries and organizations still operate in waterfall models, making adaptability key.

Fontenot offers two approaches:

  1. The Ideal Scenario – Where leadership is open to change, product managers can integrate discovery into waterfall planning by validating key assumptions upfront, treating specifications as hypotheses rather than rigid plans, and advocating for continuous learning.
  2. The Less-than-Ideal Scenario – When change is difficult, PMs should still find ways to gather feedback on in-flight projects, document assumptions, and leverage data to push for iterative improvements.

His key message: Regardless of methodology, success lies in how PMs use the time between releases to refine strategies and make data-driven decisions.

If you're an aspiring PM looking to gain real, hands-on product management experience OR if you're a current PM looking to augment your current experience in other domains, come join us atPath2Product where you'll solve real problems from real users of real products.

  continue reading

152 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 466480797 series 3243128
Content provided by Path2Product. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Path2Product or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

In this episode ofLessons in Product Management, host John Fontenot tackles a listener's question:How can a product manager succeed in a waterfall environment? He acknowledges that while Agile is often the preferred framework, many industries and organizations still operate in waterfall models, making adaptability key.

Fontenot offers two approaches:

  1. The Ideal Scenario – Where leadership is open to change, product managers can integrate discovery into waterfall planning by validating key assumptions upfront, treating specifications as hypotheses rather than rigid plans, and advocating for continuous learning.
  2. The Less-than-Ideal Scenario – When change is difficult, PMs should still find ways to gather feedback on in-flight projects, document assumptions, and leverage data to push for iterative improvements.

His key message: Regardless of methodology, success lies in how PMs use the time between releases to refine strategies and make data-driven decisions.

If you're an aspiring PM looking to gain real, hands-on product management experience OR if you're a current PM looking to augment your current experience in other domains, come join us atPath2Product where you'll solve real problems from real users of real products.

  continue reading

152 episodes

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