Here's how you can effectively provide constructive feedback to Product Managers.

Start with a positive note: Acknowledge their efforts and the value they bring to the team. Be specific: Focus on particular instances rather than generalizing. Use “I” statements: Share your perspective without placing blame (e.g., “I noticed…” instead of “You did…”). Listen actively: Show that you value their viewpoint and are open to dialogue. Offer solutions: Don’t just point out problems; suggest actionable steps for improvement. Follow up: Provide support as they make changes, showing your commitment to their growth. Remember, the goal is to foster a positive environment where feedback is seen as a tool for development, not criticism. Be clear, respectful, and ensure your feedback is actionable and focused on behavior, not personality

I think it must start with general casual conversation with a positive outlook and than discuss what are points/things that are going in day operations on projects. Post that basis those pointers we could bring the focus on points which we want to adress as part of the feedback thats needs to be improved. This keeps the outlook very professional and also keeps the envoirement very positive and it is taken also constructively.

To provide constructive feedback to a product manager, be specific by highlighting particular instances or features and avoid vague comments. Support your feedback with data or examples to give it a solid foundation. Balance your feedback by acknowledging what's working well alongside areas needing improvement, and maintain a respectful and professional tone, focusing on the issue rather than the person. Finally, offer actionable suggestions or alternatives to address the feedback effectively.

Quantify it in a way that will be useful for them to incorporate in their job to make them better. Ask them for how they would like the feedback and what kind of feedback helps them grow. As a product manager myself, I love getting feedback that can help me excel in my job and make life easier for my peers. If someone is ready to give me constructive feedback I normally ask them further to associate with core product management and soft skills so that I understand where they think I may be lacking and also ask for examples.

Providing constructive feedback to Product Managers can be approached creatively. - Use the Unicorn Approach to suggest improvements whimsically. - Offer feedback like brewing a potion, using specific examples and a fun chant. - Draw a treasure map to highlight areas for improvement. Slip a time-traveller's note suggesting futuristic adjustments. - Use the Quantum Feedback method, playfully referencing Schrodinger's cat theory to encourage observation and action on backlogs.

Nobody ever improved through vague feedback. If a feature bombed, don’t just say it was bad— push yourself to think about, and break down, exactly why it didn't work. Maybe the user interface was clunky, or the feature didn’t solve the problem it was supposed to. Be blunt, but constructive. i.e. “The onboarding process lost users because it was too long. Cut it down and make steps clearer.” This shows you’ve done your homework, that care enough to spell out the issues, and gives the team the best chance of fixing the problem.

Muchas de las veces recibimos y damos feedback sobre lo que mejoraríamos o lo que cambiaríamos de un producto o servicio. Algo que no olvidaría de agregar es aportar soluciones. De esta forma no únicamente estaríamos ayudando más, si no que estaríamos transmitiendo mucho mejor aquello que esperamos y consideramos que nos va a ayudar en el futuro en caso de que ese feedback sea implementado.

Give clear examples of what worked well and what didn't. Instead of saying, "The report was confusing," say, "The data analysis section lacked clarity, especially the sales growth figures." This allows the project manager concrete points to address.

Give feedback as soon as possible, or ask a question for them to think about the issue. Open-ended questions like, "What do you think could have made the timeline more efficient?" or "How do you feel the team could improve communication in future projects?" This encourages reflection and self-assessment.

To be balanced, mix positive feedback with constructive criticism. For example, "Your detailed planning was excellent and helped the project stay on track. However, there were some communication gaps. How can we improve this for next time?" This approach acknowledges strengths while addressing areas for improvement.

Effectively providing constructive feedback to Product Managers (PMs) involves a blend of clarity, empathy, and actionable insights. Start by recognizing their efforts and achievements to create a positive context. Be specific about the areas needing improvement, focusing on behaviors or outcomes rather than personal attributes. Use data and examples to illustrate your points, ensuring your feedback is fact-based. Offer practical suggestions and support, enabling PMs to understand the steps needed for improvement. Finally, foster an open dialogue, encouraging questions and discussions to ensure mutual understanding and collaboration. This approach not only aids PM growth but also strengthens team dynamics and product success.

Offer specific suggestions for improvement. Instead of saying, "You need to communicate better," say, "For future meetings, consider sending a summary email to ensure everyone is aligned on the next steps." This gives clear, practical steps to take.

My approach is consistent and transparent. I always seek some regular schedule (quarterly, for instance) for a deep 1:1 with my team where I can share my evaluation on how much they were able to evolve in hard or soft skills that were agreed previously, making sure that they had opportunity in the timeframe to do it. It's important to hear their self-evaluation on each topic to understand the all picture.

If the feedback can be related back to a specific situation or initiative, I like to open by asking the PM how he/she thought it went, and probe further on their perspective on things that could have gone better. This helps gauge and/or set a basis for self awareness, whereby you are giving the PM an opportunity to reflect and can also understand their own level of self-awareness as it relates to the situation. Knowing this helps position the feedback in a way that it can be received in a productive, positive and effective way. I also like to draw from my own experience on having received and acted on similar feedback, or anonymous examples I can pull from, complete with outcomes, which tends to eliminate any potential defensiveness.

To give productive feedback to product managers: 1. Focus on behavior, not personality 2. Use data and evidence 3. Be respectful and professional 4. Focus on user impact 5. Avoid assumptions E.g. could be: Hey [Product Manager], I noticed that the new feature X is causing user frustration. Our user research shows that 80% of users are struggling with it. I suggest we simplify the UI to improve the user experience. Let me know if you'd like to discuss further!