Why Product Managers Should Test Their Products: Bridging the Gap Between Product and QA

If there’s one conversation I’ve had more times than I can count, it’s explaining to various stakeholders why Product Managers (PMs) should test their products. You’d think by now it would be second nature for everyone to accept that PMs play a vital role in testing, but this discussion continues to spark more conflict than clarity—especially between PMs and Quality Assurance (QA) engineers.

The truth is, the relationship between the product team and the development team has grown closer, giving PMs a much deeper understanding of how their visions turn into tangible products that users interact with. However, there is still a prevailing notion that QA and PMs are somehow at odds. Let’s debunk that myth and dive into why PMs are not QA’s enemies—they are allies.

The Story: A Persistent Misunderstanding

Once upon a time, in a bustling tech company, the product and QA teams found themselves at odds. There was Emma, the diligent QA engineer, who saw herself as the guardian of quality, and Alex, the enthusiastic PM, who was passionate about building a product that solved real user problems.

Emma often grew frustrated when Alex, eager to deliver new features, would test the product himself and give feedback on user experience. “Why are you stepping into my domain?” she would think. “Isn’t testing supposed to be my responsibility?”

Alex, on the other hand, was equally exasperated. "I'm not trying to do your job, Emma. I’m just trying to ensure the product feels right for our users. I care about quality just as much as you do!" Despite their shared goal of building a great product, they couldn’t seem to get on the same page.

The Reality: Why Product Managers Testing Their Products Matters

The tension between Emma and Alex isn’t uncommon, and it stems from a misunderstanding of the roles that PMs and QA engineers play. The truth is, when PMs test the product, they aren’t undermining the QA process—they’re contributing to it in a meaningful way. Here’s why it matters:

1. User Experience Insights Matter: As a PM, Alex knows the users well. His testing allows him to experience the product as a user would, identifying usability issues or missing elements that may not be specified in the requirements. His insights help guide the QA team to focus on aspects of the product that will have the biggest impact on user satisfaction.
2. Accelerating Feedback Loops: By testing early and often, Alex can catch potential issues at the inception stage, providing valuable feedback to the development team before code even reaches QA. This creates a faster cycle for improvements, reducing the back-and-forth later on and speeding up the time to market.
3. Understanding the Trade-Offs: Alex’s direct involvement in testing gives him a deeper appreciation of the technical challenges and trade-offs in the development process. It allows him to make more informed decisions about which bugs to prioritize or which features to optimize based on real-world limitations.
4. Shared Ownership of Quality: Quality isn’t solely the responsibility of QA engineers. It’s a team effort that involves everyone—from development to product to QA. When Alex tests the product, he’s not trying to take over Emma’s role; he’s sharing ownership of quality, ensuring the final product meets both user needs and business objectives.

Why QA Engineers Should Align with the Product Vision

While it’s important for PMs like Alex to engage in testing, it’s equally crucial for QA engineers like Emma to align with the product vision. Here’s why that alignment can transform the testing process:

1. Contextual Testing is Key: By understanding the product’s business objectives and user personas, Emma can design test cases that simulate real-world scenarios and user behaviors. This kind of testing is invaluable because it goes beyond checking for bugs to assessing how the product feels and functions for the end user.
2. Prioritizing What Matters Most: With a shared understanding of the product vision, Emma can prioritize bugs based on their impact on the user experience and business outcomes. Not all bugs are created equal; some may be more critical because they affect a key user flow or an essential feature.
3. Collaborative Problem-Solving: Instead of feeling threatened by Alex’s involvement in testing, Emma can embrace his feedback and use it to refine her testing approach. It’s an opportunity to improve the quality process together, ensuring that the product not only works but also delights users.
4. Better Communication Across Teams: When QA and product teams understand each other’s goals and challenges, communication becomes more effective. Emma and Alex can collaborate to solve quality issues faster, bridging the gap between product requirements and the final user experience.

Building a Stronger Relationship Between Product and QA

For Emma and Alex to truly become allies, they need to recognize that their roles are complementary. It’s not about territory; it’s about collaboration. Here’s how teams can foster a stronger, more collaborative relationship:

1. Regular Cross-Functional Meetings: Hold regular meetings where PMs, QA engineers, and developers discuss product goals, quality metrics, and current challenges. This helps everyone stay aligned and share the same priorities.
2. Involving QA Early in the Development Cycle: The sooner QA engineers are involved, the better. When Emma is part of the initial discussions about new features or product changes, she can help identify potential quality risks upfront, reducing surprises during testing.
3. Shared Quality Metrics: Establish quality metrics that matter for both the product and the users. Instead of focusing solely on technical metrics (e.g., number of bugs), teams can use user-centric metrics like customer satisfaction scores or user engagement rates.
4. Fostering a Culture of Quality: Quality shouldn’t be a last-minute concern. It should be part of the product’s DNA from day one, with both PMs and QA engineers actively advocating for it.

Conclusion: PMs and QA Are Not Enemies—They Are Allies

The story of Emma and Alex serves as a reminder that the relationship between PMs and QA engineers doesn’t have to be adversarial. When PMs like Alex test their products, it’s not to step on QA’s toes; it’s to ensure the product resonates with users. And when QA engineers like Emma align with the product vision, they elevate the quality process from mere bug-hunting to delivering an exceptional user experience.

At the end of the day, both roles aim to achieve the same goal: a high-quality product that satisfies users and meets business objectives. The key to bridging the gap is recognizing that PMs and QA are allies in the journey toward building better products. The more they collaborate and support each other, the stronger the product—and the team—will become.