Responsible Product Management - Sustainability, Inclusivity, and Empathy

Recently, there has been quite a massive shift in the way we look at product management. Apple stopped giving the chargers, and everyone followed along. Energy companies started focusing more on green energy production. Governments started putting pressure to reduce carbon footprint throughout the product lifecycle, and there has been demand from the users to have products more accessible to everyone and the list goes on. There is a shift happening throughout the industry and Product Managers, leaders could lead this change.

If we look at this trend, we must update our product management lenses accordingly. We should be ahead of the industry from just being Product Managers to being Responsible Product Managers, and Leaders.

When I look at this term - I think, there are three key aspects of this. Being responsible for

1. For the Users (Security, Inclusion, Empathy)
2. For the Environment (Sustainability, Carbon Neutrality, Recycle, Reuse)
3. For the Business (Happy employees, a Healthy and ethical culture, Sustainable business growth)

These will be three key lenses for being responsible product Managers or practising Responsible Product Management. This will be a crucial part going forward. This should be at the core of the product strategy.

1. Being Responsible for Users

Users are everything for the product. When we develop the product strategy we must consider some critical aspects such as

a. Inclusion - Our product must not discriminate against users based on their gender, or physical status. We must make our product as much accessible as possible. Inclusivity should be a critical part of the product strategy

b. Security - In today's world, customer data and identity are everything. When users give us their data, it is our responsibility to treat that data well and handle it in a secure and ethical manner. Customers' data security is the foremost thing in today's world.

c. Empathy - Going forward, Products (services) are the bridge to engage and communicate with users. With increasing competition, your product must deliver more true emotional value. If products are developed with empathy, we could save a lot on fancy advertising. Product Managers should strategies the product with customer empathy in mind.

2. Being Responsible for the Environment

Today, sustainability is the most important pillar of Responsible Product Management. The resources we use are limited, and future generations must not be adversely impacted by our actions. Therefore, sustainability must be at the heart of product strategy. It should be a vital strategic consideration throughout the full product lifecycle including post-sales / post production.

We should define the recycle and reuse strategy for our products so that we reduce the impact on the environment and the ecosystems.

3. Responsible for the business

Business or the organization is the place where these products emerge in reality from the ideas. If the business is not sustainable in terms of finance, people, and culture, ultimately our product development might lead to the decline of the organization.

Happy employees, a culture with psychological safety, everyone could share their ideas confidently, and everyone enjoys the place with zero discrimination, are essential parts of a sustainable business.

Today, when we define the product strategy, the above factors contribute directly or indirectly toward, "How good your product delivers value". and When we say value - it is not just about the money but many many more things.

Product Managers are collaborators, ideators and who lead the true value via products. Being a "Responsible" product manager is not just important but is "essential" going forward.

Thougths shared in this article are of the authors own thoughts and not of his/her employer