Creating successful products takes more than just writing code or designing great interfaces. 

It takes strategy, coordination, and a deep understanding of customers’ wants. This is where product management comes in. If you’re new to tech, considering a career switch, or curious about how your favourite apps came to life, understanding product management is a game-changer.

Let’s break it down for you in the simplest way possible.

What Is Product Management?

Product management is the process of planning, developing, launching, and managing a product. It ensures that a product solves real problems, fits market needs, and aligns with business goals.

Think of a product manager (PM) as the “mini-CEO” of a product. They work with design, engineering, marketing, and business teams to make sure the product is useful, usable, and successful in the market.

They guide the product’s lifecycle, from the spark of an idea to the moment it’s in the hands of users and beyond.

What Product Management Isn’t

A lot of people confuse product management with other roles. Let’s clear that up.

• Product management is not project management.
  Project managers focus on timelines and task execution. Product managers focus on the what and why of a product.
  
• Product management is not marketing.
  Though PMs work closely with marketing teams, their job goes deeper into the development process and user needs.
  
• Product management is not only about tech.
  You don’t have to write code to be a product manager (though technical understanding helps). It’s more about strategy and user empathy.

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What Do Product Managers Do?

Product managers wear many hats. Here are some of their key responsibilities:

1. Market Research

They identify user problems, needs, and desires. This includes analyzing competitors and speaking with real users.

2. Product Strategy

They define the vision and roadmap of a product. This includes deciding what features to build and when.

3. Prioritization

Not everything can be done at once. PMs prioritize tasks and features that deliver the most value.

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration

PMs work closely with engineers, designers, marketers, and sales teams to turn ideas into reality.

5. Product Launches

They coordinate the launch process, ensuring the product is ready for the market and that the team is aligned.

6. User Feedback and Iteration

Even after launch, the PM gathers feedback to improve the product over time.

What Technical Skills Do You Need as a Product Manager?

While you don’t need to be a developer, some technical knowledge helps you communicate effectively with engineering teams and understand product limitations.

Here are some useful technical skills:

• Understanding of software development processes (Agile, Scrum)
  
• Basic data analysis using tools like Excel, SQL, or Google Analytics
  
• Familiarity with wireframing and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Balsamiq)
  
• Product analytics – Knowing how to read user behavior and metrics
  
• APIs and platforms – A basic idea of how apps and software connect
  

But remember: soft skills matter too.

Soft Skills That Set Product Managers Apart

• Communication – You’ll be speaking to multiple departments daily.
  
• Problem-Solving – Being resourceful and thinking from the user’s perspective.
  
• Empathy – Understanding what users truly want, not just what they say.
  
• Decision-Making – Making tough choices when resources are limited.
  
• Adaptability – The tech world moves fast. You need to adjust quickly.
  

Why Product Management Matters More Than Ever

The demand for skilled product managers is growing rapidly across industries. From fintech to e-commerce, edtech to healthtech—every company needs someone who can build user-focused products.

In Nigeria and other emerging tech hubs, startups and tech companies are actively looking for PMs who can bridge the gap between users and developers.

So, if you’re someone who enjoys problem-solving, loves learning how things work, and has a passion for tech, product management is a rewarding path to consider.

Learn to Be a Product Manager — Start Your Journey Today

You don’t need to figure everything out on your own. MALhub offers a comprehensive Product Management course designed for beginners and mid-level professionals.

• Learn practical frameworks
• Understand the complete product lifecycle
• Work on real-world projects
• Get mentorship from industry experts
• Build your portfolio

 Enroll Now & Start Learning at MALhub

Final Thoughts

Product management is not just a trendy job title—it’s a key role in tech that helps products grow in the real world. If you’re curious, creative, and driven by purpose, it might be the perfect fit for you.

And with the right training, support, and mindset, you can become the product leader who builds the next big thing.

Ready to lead the future of tech products?
Sign up today and take your first step with MALhub.

Start Your Product Management Journey

Got questions? We’ve got answers.

Email us at hello@malhub.org

Call us at +234 816 895 3635