The hottest Product Management Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Briefing: Instagram nudges, Stripe retries, Chrome AI

Department of Product • 275 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Product Management AI Browsers Startups E-commerce
  1. Instagram is implementing a new safety feature to deter teens from night-time app use.
  2. Many companies struggle to train employees on GenAI tools, but new visual AI workflow tools like VectorShift aim to simplify the process for product teams.
  3. Netflix's success in ad-funded plans raises questions on whether this model will extend to other product categories like SaaS.

When LLMs Made Everyone a Coder

ScaleDown • 22 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Tools Coding Software Development Product Management Tech Trends
  1. Using AI to write code can be misleading. Just because the code looks good doesn't mean it works; real coding requires understanding the logic behind it.
  2. Simple apps can be more effective than complex ones built with AI. Breaking tasks into manageable steps is key to successful programming.
  3. AI tools are helpful but shouldn't replace engineers. Someone needs to check and fix the code generated by AI, making engineers still very important.

TBM 227: Explicit vs. Implicit Strategy

The Beautiful Mess • 1507 implied HN points • 18 Jun 23
💼 Business Strategy Leadership Team Dynamics Product Management Company Culture
  1. A strategy should be a clear description of challenges, decisions on what to address, and specific actions to impact those challenges.
  2. Translating strategy into tangible goals and budgets is crucial for making it meaningful to people in the organization.
  3. Creating a safe space for hard discussions, dedicating time for strategy development, and focusing on deployment are essential for making a strategy effective.

Breach simulation is a complicated market

Frankly Speaking • 50 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Development Product Management Market Analysis User Experience
  1. The breach simulation market is confusing because companies market their products in different ways. It's hard to understand exactly what these tools are supposed to solve for security teams.
  2. Turning security services into products is challenging. Many customers prefer high-quality services rather than automated tools because they believe they catch more sophisticated attacks.
  3. For these simulation tools to succeed, they need to show clear benefits to businesses, like saving money or preventing incidents. Right now, many organizations view them as nice-to-have rather than essential.

A Complete Product Discovery Guide

Untrapping Product Teams • 412 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
💼 Business Product Management Entrepreneurship Team Dynamics Product Development Innovation
  1. Product discovery is essential to uncover what creates value, while product delivery produces what creates value.
  2. Having a sustainable balance between product discovery and product delivery within one team is crucial for success.
  3. Product discovery is a journey, not a rigid plan, where you set a business outcome as your north star and make decisions along the way.
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15 Product Management templates to boost your productivity

Untrapping Product Teams • 393 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
💼 Business Product Management Templates Strategy Discovery Delivery
  1. Product management is complex, and there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone.
  2. Utilizing various templates and methods can help create value and accelerate growth in product management.
  3. Premium materials and resources are available to help product leaders and managers understand key principles for success.

150+ Product Management Resources and 50+ ChatGPT Prompts: Your Complete 2025 PM Toolkit 🚀

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 16 implied HN points • 01 Jan 25
💼 Business Product Management AI Tools Resources Strategy Leadership
  1. There are over 150 useful resources for product management that can help professionals navigate topics like strategy, leadership, and AI integration.
  2. The toolkit includes more than 50 ChatGPT prompts designed to enhance productivity and creativity for product managers.
  3. New tools like ProductGPT can help product managers get customized answers and streamline their workflow, making their jobs easier.

Breaking analysis paralysis: a guide to using data in product management

Askwhy: UX Research, Product Management, Design & Careers • 33 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
💼 Business Product Management Data Analysis User Research Market Strategy Customer Insights
  1. Always start with a clear hypothesis when analyzing data. This helps focus your research and prevents getting lost in too much information.
  2. Use a mix of qualitative and quantitative data for a better understanding. This means looking at both numbers and user feedback to get the full picture.
  3. Document your analysis process carefully. This helps others understand your findings and allows for better collaboration in the future.

Product Delivery Guide

Untrapping Product Teams • 334 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
💼 Business Product Management Value Creation Team Collaboration
  1. Product delivery is about creating value steadily, not just following a plan.
  2. Key aspects of product delivery include organizing the product backlog, refining tasks, aligning goals, and delivering value consistently.
  3. Be mindful of common traps like treating the product backlog as a wishlist, separating discovery from delivery, and focusing only on output instead of outcomes.

The 9 Fundamental Ingredients to Thrive with Product Management

Untrapping Product Teams • 157 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
💼 Business Product Management Ingredients Vision Strategy Learning
  1. Product management is like cooking: it's not just about the recipe, but also about how you do it and the ingredients you use.
  2. Recognize the fundamental ingredients for thriving in product management, such as product vision, strategy, goals, and testing assumptions.
  3. Having a strong product vision is crucial for inspiring and motivating teams to progress in the right direction.

Why product analytics is completely different than BI

timo's substack • 294 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Data Analytics Product Management Business Intelligence Data Collection Data Modeling
  1. Marketing analytics, BI, and product analytics have different requirements for source data and data handling.
  2. Product analytics involves more exploration and pattern-finding compared to marketing analytics and BI.
  3. Adopting product analytics requires a different approach, mindset, and tool compared to traditional analytics setups.

Notes on Service Level Objectives

A Small, Good Thing • 19 implied HN points • 24 Mar 25
🕹 Technology Software Engineering Product Management Organizational Culture
  1. Service Level Objectives (SLOs) are important for understanding if services are reliable, but many organizations find them hard to use effectively. It's like a tool that sounds great but often doesn't work as well in practice.
  2. Adopting and managing SLOs usually requires a lot of effort and support from the whole team, not just the SREs. If the company culture isn't ready for it, SLOs often get ignored.
  3. There's a big gap between the theory of SLOs and how they're applied in real companies. Many teams struggle with choosing the right metrics and getting everyone to care about reliability over new features.

Weekly Notes

Rethinking Software • 149 implied HN points • 23 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Agile Methodology Product Management Team Dynamics Data Analysis
  1. Story points are basically just hidden time estimates for tasks in software development. Understanding this can help with better planning and predicting when a project will be finished.
  2. Product management should be like a party host, making sure developers and customers communicate and enjoy their time together. This creates a better experience for everyone involved.
  3. There are ways for companies to run without traditional management, like the tomato processor Morning Star. This might be a model to explore for improving the software industry's workflow.

The AI Trap

Fish Food for Thought • 14 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
💼 Business Technology Adoption Product Management Customer Needs Market Trends
  1. Businesses often rush to use new technologies without understanding if they actually solve customer problems. This can lead to wasted resources and missed opportunities.
  2. The cycle of excitement followed by disappointment with new tech is common. Companies should be aware of this pattern and avoid adopting technologies just because they're popular.
  3. To make the most of new technologies, teams should work together, focusing on real customer needs before jumping in. Collaboration and clear communication are crucial.

E10 - Future Trends: Gen AI and the Next Generation of Products

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 6 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Product Management Innovation Automation Data Analysis
  1. Generative AI is reshaping industries by creating new opportunities and enhancing product development. It's not just a technology; it can change the way we work and create.
  2. Real-world examples, like DeepMind's AlphaFold, show how generative AI can lead to breakthroughs in fields like healthcare, making processes faster and more efficient.
  3. Product managers should harness generative AI to create better user experiences. By integrating this technology, they can offer more personalized and engaging products.

Notes on Product management theater | Marty Cagan (Lenny's Podcast)

The Beautiful Mess • 330 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
💼 Business Product Management Career development Tech Companies Leadership
  1. Common principles and practices among top product companies exist but may not fully capture the uniqueness and nuances of each company's success.
  2. During challenging times like the pandemic, companies may overhire, lower hiring standards, and create unnecessary roles instead of addressing core issues.
  3. Companies globally should strive to evolve product development methods based on customer needs, regardless of their location, and individuals should take more control over their product management career.

How to be the favorite engineer among your product manager and designer

High Growth Engineer • 465 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
💼 Business Career development Product Management Engineering
  1. Collaboration with product managers and designers can be challenging due to differing priorities and project impacts.
  2. Engineers often face the dilemma of balancing what they can do, what the PM wants, and what the PM thinks they can do.
  3. Maintaining a good relationship and meeting deadlines are key aspects of being a favored engineer among product managers and designers.

Why Product Data Beats Company Data

The Security Industry • 18 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Data Analysis Cybersecurity Product Management Market research Competitor Analysis
  1. Product data is more useful than company data. Knowing what products a company offers helps you find competitors better.
  2. You can categorize products accurately to see how they stack up against each other. This way, you can identify direct competition more effectively.
  3. Having detailed product information helps customers find the right solutions for their needs. You can easily search by features or requirements.

Embarking on the Product Management Journey: Product Research and Discovery

Product Power by Samet Ozkale • 196 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
💼 Business Product Management Research Innovation Development Framework
  1. Product managers can find ideas through user interviews, trend analysis, personal experiences, and input from internal stakeholders.
  2. Criteria for pursuing an idea include satisfying a need, having a unique selling point, being profitable and in demand, and creating value.
  3. Utilizing the Double Diamond framework can guide product discovery and development by focusing on understanding problems before jumping into solutions.

From Rockets to Roadmaps: An Engineer's Guide to Product Success

Dev Interrupted • 14 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Engineering Culture AI Applications Product Management Team Dynamics
  1. Engineers can drive product vision, leading to faster and more innovative development. This shifts the focus from just coding to solving real business problems.
  2. With AI making coding easier, engineers who understand customer needs and market trends will stand out. Their blend of technical skills and business savvy is crucial for success.
  3. Collaboration and teamwork are key in software development. It's not just about individual contributions but how teams work together to create better solutions.

E3 - 🛠️ Prompt Engineering Basics and 50+ Free 🎁 Product Management Prompts 🚀

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 20 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Tools Product Management Software Development Prompt engineering Data Analysis
  1. Prompt engineering is about crafting the right questions to get useful responses from AI. Think of it like asking the AI to help you with specific tasks in a clear way.
  2. This skill can help product managers speed up their work by automating tasks and generating creative ideas. It's a powerful tool for making better decisions based on data.
  3. Understanding how to structure prompts effectively can lead to more relevant and accurate results. It involves giving clear instructions, context, and examples to guide the AI.

Navigating the Shift from Feature to Product Teams and Building a Product Mindset

An Innovator's Sketchbook • 98 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
💼 Business Product Management Feedback Team Dynamics Leadership Organizational Culture
  1. Transitioning from feature to product teams involves empowering cross-functional teams focused on outcomes and value.
  2. The localization industry is evolving with AI, leading to job destruction but also creating new business opportunities.
  3. Feedback is important for team growth, and using the 'Situation-Behavior-Impact' framework can lead to effective and powerful feedback.

Data will not tell you what to do

Inside Data by Mikkel Dengsøe • 184 HN points • 21 Feb 24
💼 Business Decision-making Problem Solving Innovation Product Management Efficiency
  1. Data may not reveal the best ideas, so trust your intuition and explore beyond the obvious data points.
  2. Focus on solving the big problems first, as they have a more significant impact than smaller issues.
  3. Think in small bets and iterations to make progress in the right direction, even if data may not provide immediate clarity.

Google deepens AI integration across operations

philsiarri • 22 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Cloud Computing Software Development Product Management Digital marketing
  1. Google is using a lot of AI in its work, with over a quarter of new code created by AI and checked by engineers. This shows how much they're relying on technology to improve their services.
  2. The company's earnings are strong, with significant revenue from both Google Services and Google Cloud. AI features are helping to boost sales and attract new customers.
  3. Google's new AI tools are changing how people search online and are driving more ad revenue on platforms like YouTube, which is now making over $50 billion from ads and subscriptions.

From Customer Success Leader to VP of Product

Suzan's Fieldnotes • 98 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
💼 Business Career development Leadership Product Management Startups Entrepreneurship
  1. María de Antón transitioned from Head of Customer Success to Product Manager by following her instincts and overcoming imposter syndrome.
  2. Transitioning from customer success to product management involved a shift from talking with customers to creating joyful product experiences.
  3. As a leader considering switching functions, trust your cross-functional skills, seek necessary training, and have confidence in yourself.

E6 - 🏰 Building a Moat for Your AI Startup 🏰

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 10 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship AI Strategy Product Management Competitive Analysis
  1. Building a competitive 'moat' is crucial for AI startups to protect themselves from competitors. It means having unique advantages that others can't easily copy.
  2. Startups should focus on specific industries or problems to create tailored solutions. This helps them collect valuable data and improve their models over time.
  3. Using proprietary data and building complex systems can strengthen a startup's position. It’s about going beyond just using popular AI tools and making something unique.

5 Steps to Take Back Power in Your Career

Perspectives • 8 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
💼 Business Career development Entrepreneurship Personal Branding Networking Product Management
  1. Don't wait for the perfect job. Instead, focus on making the most of the position you have and use it to build skills and connections.
  2. Follow your interests and share what you learn. You don’t have to be an expert to teach others; sharing your journey can resonate more with people.
  3. Be consistent in showing up and sharing your thoughts. Building your personal brand is about being true to yourself and expressing your values regularly.

Season 05 - Newsletter 01 --> Look back at 2024 and forward to 2025

Product Hustle Stack Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
💼 Business Product Management Consumer behavior Tech Trends Market Analysis Leadership
  1. In 2024, consumers showed mixed feelings about spending, where rich people kept buying more while those with less money struggled. Finding balance between cautiousness and resilience was key for many.
  2. AI became a big part of daily life, assisting people not just at work but also in personal matters. This made AI feel more like a helpful companion than just a tool.
  3. Product leaders in 2025 need to adapt to challenges and find ways to connect with both broad audiences and specific market needs. It's important to build products that resonate emotionally while using AI effectively.

E2- Basics of Large Language Models for Product Managers 🤖

The Product Channel By Sid Saladi • 16 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Product Management Innovation Natural Language Processing Data science
  1. Large language models (LLMs) are special AI systems that understand and generate human language. They can do things like summarize texts, translate languages, and even write codes.
  2. LLMs are changing many industries by powering chatbots, helping create content, and giving personalized product recommendations. This makes services smarter and more helpful.
  3. Building custom LLMs requires a lot of money and data. Companies must invest millions and gather vast amounts of information to develop effective models.

Forget Job-to-be-Done theory. Concentrate on Goals and their hierarchy.

An Innovator's Sketchbook • 78 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💼 Business Innovation Product Management Health Venture Funding
  1. Focus on understanding consumer goals and their hierarchy for successful product development.
  2. Differentiate between needs, goals, and ToDos as part of the goal hierarchy.
  3. Recognize the importance of designing products or services that effectively remove obstacles or facilitate faster achievement of consumer goals.

Get Your Positioning Right

Build To Scale • 138 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
💼 Business Startups Product Management Marketing Positioning Differentiation
  1. Positioning your product correctly is crucial from the start, you can't retroactively adjust it like changing a boat into a car.
  2. Identify your target market, the problem your product solves, and what makes you better than competitors.
  3. Use a simple positioning template to describe your product's key attributes clearly and guide your marketing efforts.