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Course Description

 

The mission of a product manager is more than helping to build the "right" product. They also play a crucial role in balancing the needs of the customer, while driving product innovation across multi-functional teams. In the midst of these goals and mounting responsibility–it can be easy to overlook the product management process–which can negatively affect the outcome of quality, cost, and market need.
 
The UC San Diego Extension Product Management program offers a comprehensive look into the elements and skills necessary to manage a successful product management process - from product strategy to specification, execution, and growth.
 
Students will discover real-world tools to enhance their product management experience; while broadening their understanding of best practices. Coursework includes group work, field trips, and lectures by experienced professionals. Projects draw on student's real-world work to maximize time and productivity.  To that end, students are expected to use their company products during several assignments as the subject of their coursework.

Topics covered:

 
  • Product Strategy
    • Customer discovery
    • Market evaluation
    • Articulating a vision
  • Product Planning
    • Roadmaps, Planning, and Prioritization
    • Coordination & Communication
    • User experience design
  • Product Growth
    • Go To Market, Launch planning, execution
    • Demand generation
    • Product-market fit, Product evolution

Learning Outcomes

 
  1. Gather and use customer insights to guide product strategy.
  2. Analyze the financial, competitive, and growth prospects for a sector.
  3. Define and prioritize a minimum viable solution.
  4. Use best-practice frameworks to organize, prioritize, and communicate work.
  5. Use a deep understanding of what buyers care about to create a compelling go-to-market plan.
  6. Develop confidence to lead product teams and inspire stakeholders and collaborators.

Who Should Attend

 

This program is for experienced professionals looking to sharpen their skill sets and learn the latest product management techniques. Professionals include current product managers, engineers, marketers, and developers across multiple industries including manufacturing, biotech, software, consumer products, and services.  In order to be accepted, students must currently be in a product-related position and also have at least one year of work experience.

Students' supervisors will be actively engaged through frequent executive updates on course progress and content. Supervisors will also be invited to join the showcase on the final day to see the results of the students' work and celebrate in the completion of the course.

More Information

 
 
 

If you would like more information or have questions, please contact:

Susie Baranowski, (858) 534-9148, sbaranowski@ucsd.edu

 

Course Number: BUSA-40217
Credit: 11.00 unit(s)