What are the key roles and responsibilities of a product vision owner?

Here are the key roles and responsibilities ??Defining the Product Vision ??Prioritizing Features ??Collaborating with Developers ??Leadership and Communication

- A product vision is something user centric that delivers value to the user now and for the future. - This vision is usually a byproduct of Business vision or mission statement ( In certain cases business and product vision can be the same. e.g. a fairly new business). - A product vision is usually set to 5-10 years - Product vision is a driving force to deliver product goals and features.

Every product must have a bold statement that reflect and capture the purpose of a product. The values it offers, to which audience it offers them and what problems specifically is the product designed to solve. This helps to align and communicate effectively with different stakeholders.

Each and every product must have a clear vision that reflects their purpose. A product vision is a clear and concise statement that outlines the long-term goal and purpose of your product. It serves as a guide for the development team and aligns everyone with the overall objective.

A product vision is essentially the north star for any product development journey. It articulates the purpose and long-term aspirations of the product, answering key questions such as why it exists, who it serves, and the unique value it brings. As a reputation management consultant, I find that a compelling product vision not only aligns internal teams but also builds trust with external stakeholders. When everyone understands the 'why' behind a product, it fosters a cohesive effort towards shared goals and enhances the overall credibility of the brand.

A product vision owner is essential to ensure that the product stays on track towards its long-term goals. This person is responsible for maintaining a clear vision and ensuring that all team members understand and work towards it.

- The responsibility of product vision usually lies on multiple team members Product leaders, Product managers. - It is essential for all key members to sense check the product vision and goals periodically to make sure they are inline.

Having a product vision owner is crucial for maintaining a consistent and compelling direction for your product. This role typically falls to a senior product manager or product leader who deeply understands customer needs, market opportunities, and product capabilities. From a reputation management perspective, a dedicated vision owner ensures that the product vision remains aligned with both internal goals and external expectations. This consistency not only drives strategic decisions but also reinforces stakeholder confidence and trust in the product’s trajectory.

To create a product vision, start by understanding your market, customers, and competitors. Identify the problem your product will solve and the value it will provide. Then, craft a clear and inspiring statement that captures your product’s essence and future direction.

- Product vision creation should be created in collaboration with senior product leaders, business leaders, product manager. - Iterative brainstorming sessions will refine the product vision - During the session its important to answer the Why's, What's, Where and Who's? e.g. Why you building this product to the end user? Who is going to use this product? What benefits does the user get using this product? What makes you think this product will be the best in the world? Where will this product be used?

Creating a product vision is a dynamic process that demands thorough research, continuous validation, and regular updates. Start by defining your target customer segment and pinpointing their key problems or needs. Then, identify your product's value proposition and unique selling points. Craft a concise and memorable product vision statement that clearly conveys the product’s purpose, benefits, and differentiation. Validate this vision with customers, stakeholders, and team members to ensure it resonates. Regular reviews and updates are essential to keep the vision aligned with evolving market conditions and customer expectations, ensuring ongoing relevance and effectiveness.

Communicate the product vision regularly and clearly to all stakeholders, including team members, investors, and customers. Use various channels like meetings, presentations, and documentation to ensure everyone understands and is aligned with the vision.

Effectively communicating a product vision ensures stakeholder buy-in and alignment. A product vision owner should use various methods and channels, such as a product vision board or canvas, to convey the vision.? Storytelling with visuals enhances presentations for teams, stakeholders, and customers. Integrating the vision into the roadmap, backlog, and user stories translates it into actionable goals. Blogs, podcasts, and webinars can also expand reach and enhance the product's online reputation.

- Incorporate the vision statement in all communications - Stress the importance on vision statement in monthly steering meetings, Stakeholder presentations, tradeshows etc. - Include product vision in product goals, roadmaps etc.

In my experience, key skills and responsibilities for a product vision owner are: 1. Defining a compelling product vision aligned with customer needs and business goals. 2. Managing stakeholders to gather feedback and align interests. 3. Developing a product roadmap and prioritizing features for maximum value. 4. Gathering requirements and prioritizing based on customer needs and market trends. 5. Continuously improving the product through data analysis and user feedback. 6. Facilitating collaboration and providing leadership to development teams. 7. Making critical decisions to drive the product's direction and success. 8. Communicating the vision, roadmap, and progress to stakeholders for alignment.

Though you may have only recently heard about being a product vision owner, you may already have the skills and abilities necessary to excel in this role. Those who have already done project management, U/X, and copywriting might have a slight advantage in project vision owner opportunities but don't think you won't qualify for such a position if you don't have one of these titles on your resume. Skills needed include: -Being highly organized and efficient. -Being able to do in-depth research. -Being open-minded to see multiple angles and opportunities. -Having a creative mind. -Familiarity with multiple platforms. -Being an effective communicator. With these skills, you are well-qualified, & you will hopefully find and love this position.

Product vision owners need a mix of skills: Understanding users: See the world through their eyes and identify their needs. Strategic thinker: Craft a clear vision and communicate it effectively. Prioritization pro: Decide what features matter most and make tough calls. Team player: Collaborate with designers, developers, and marketers. Adaptable mind: Be ready to adjust the vision based on new learnings.

A product vision owner needs a blend of hard and soft skills to craft and convey a compelling product vision effectively. Customer empathy is essential to truly understand users' pain points and motivations. Awareness of industry trends, opportunities, and threats, coupled with strategic thinking, helps in defining the product's long-term direction. Creativity is key for generating innovative ideas that set the product apart. Strong communication skills are necessary to articulate the vision to diverse audiences using various formats. Lastly, collaboration with the team, stakeholders, and customers ensures that the vision is co-created, validated, and continuously refined.

One additional consideration is the importance of adaptability. The market landscape and customer needs can change rapidly, and a product vision owner must be flexible enough to pivot when necessary. For example, during the pandemic, many companies had to quickly adapt their product visions to meet new customer demands. Another key insight is the value of continuous learning, staying updated with industry advancements and seeking feedback can help keep the product vision relevant and innovative. Real-world stories of successful pivots and adaptations can provide rich lessons and inspiration for maintaining a dynamic and effective product vision.

Adaptability: ->Be prepared to adjust the product vision as market conditions and customer needs change. Collaboration: ->Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that the vision is feasible and aligned with all aspects of the business. Feedback: ->Continuously gather and incorporate feedback from stakeholders to refine and improve the product vision.