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University of Maryland, College Park

Product Management Fundamentals

University of Maryland, College Park via edX

Overview

Product management is one of the fastest growing and most lucrative jobs available today. Companies have awoken to the desperate need for product managers to create products that customers love, that integrate design, functionality, and business solutions. In our course, we define the fundamentals of product management and why this role is so coveted as a launch pad for future CEOs and startup founders.

To be effective, product managers need a clear understanding of their jobs and duties. They also need a clear understanding of the required skills and competencies. An appreciation of these roles, responsibilities, skills, and capabilities is also beneficial for stakeholders and team members who collaborate with product managers.

This course investigates the framework for success in product management by defining the product manager’s position in an organization and the key responsibilities. We will examine the skills and competencies most critical to carrying out those responsibilities. To further improve your understanding of product management, we will discuss how product managers engage with the product team and stakeholders to create and manage successful products.

Product managers must also know how to establish, organize, and lead a team. They must know the typical product development life cycle and be able to select the right development methodology for the product and the target market. To meet these challenges to product team leadership, we will consider the phases of product development and the roles that product managers play in each step. We’ll examine a variety of team structures and product development methodologies, and the importance of establishing a team charter. Lastly, we will also explore the opportunities and challenges of market development and commercialization. We’ll provide an orientation to key marketing concepts critical to developing and commercializing innovative products and services.

Syllabus

Module 1: Roles and Responsibilities of the Product Manager

Module 2: Managing Innovative Product Teams

Module 3: Marketing Challenges and Guiding Principles

Module 4: Customer Development and Crossing the Chasm

Taught by

James Green

Reviews

4.9 rating, based on 303 Class Central reviews

4.4 rating at edX based on 62 ratings

Start your review of Product Management Fundamentals

  • I am taking the whole Product Management Professional Certificate and this is the first course. What I like is the strict structure and organization of this course. The instructor is a great pro. I would like to have PDFs of the slides. I don't know how to get them.

    Thank you very much.
  • Both Proffesors explain everything clearly.I did this program whole day with my time.becuase of the covid situation and free of university lectures.

    I got a idea about who is a production manager and basicall how we market a business .

    Thank you
    Greetings from Srilanka
    Bishmi Dissanayake
  • Anonymous
    It was quite a comprehensive introduction into the product management space, well structured to touch on all aspects without overloading you with information. It did a great job highlighting the difference in the roles of a project manager, product manager and a program manager. Lots of pertinent information towards giving you a clear understanding of the mindset of an entrepreneur when it comes to startups in the business world and how to successfully approach that.

    All in all, a great introductory course to improve knowledge about the role of a product manager and the tools to succeed in that role.
  • Anonymous
    This course provides a broad overview of product management concepts, making it suitable for beginners who want a general introduction to the field. It can be competed in just a few hours. The course touches on topics such as product strategy, roadmapping, and customer focus, but the material remains fairly high level throughout. For individuals who already have some exposure to product management, much of the content may feel familiar and not particularly groundbreaking. While the structure is clear and easy to follow, I was hoping for deeper insights, practical frameworks, or real-world case studies. Overall, it’s a decent starting point, but was not as beneficial as I had hoped.
  • Dive into the magical waters of the new products that change we live. In my way, Product Management Fundamentals validates my beliefs and practices of the past 25Y as a Production Designer-. It is the starting point to deep navigating this passion and making the new right products for the right customers and moving forward with the path of the Master in Professional Studies in Product Management of the University of Maryland.
  • Anonymous
    The Product Management Fundamentals from the
    University of Maryland, College Park via edX was worth my time and effort
  • Anonymous
    This course was exactly what I needed. It breaks product management down in a way that’s practical, clear, and immediately useful — not just theory. Every module helped me think sharper about my ventures, especially around customer discovery, market strategy, and understanding how real product decisions get made.

    The lessons were organized, the examples made sense, and the quizzes actually reinforced what mattered. I walked away with a stronger strategic mindset and a better understanding of how to build products people truly want.

    If you’re an entrepreneur, innovator, or anyone building something from the ground up, this course gives you the foundation you need. Highly recommended.
  • Anonymous
    I started the course as a rookie, having a background in journalism and no idea whatsoever what product management meant. This course is the most explanatory online course I have taken till date. Kudos to the amazing team that put this together.
  • Anonymous
    A concise and practical course covering core product management principles such as customer discovery, MVP definition, and market strategy. It strengthened my understanding of how to align user needs with business goals through structured product thinking.
  • Anonymous
    The Course was pretty straight-forward and highlighted need-to-know components of the product management. I highly recommend you take advantage of the course discussion platforms. They help a lot and assist in knowledge retention.
  • Anonymous
    Title: A Comprehensive Dive into Product Management Fundamentals Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5) I recently completed the "Product Management Fundamentals" course, and I can confidently say it was an exceptional experience! As someone looking to deepen my und…
  • This course is peels your eyes to the reality and will indeed make you think thrice before becoming not just a product manager but an entrepreneur. It was an amazing experience!
  • Anonymous
    I am taking the whole Product Management Professional Certificate and this is the first course. What I like is the strict structure and organization of this course. The instructor is a great pro. I would like to have PDFs of the slides. I don't know how to get them.

    Thank you very much.
  • Anonymous
    This Product Management Fundamentals course is really good. It teaches students from the basics of a product manager’s roles and what a product manager is, to more advanced elements on how to be a great product manager, the mistakes you should avoid, and what to focus on to succeed in launching your products. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to start their career as a product manager.
  • Stephen Helgeson
    2
    I recently felt the need to re-ground myself in the foundations of product management. I've been doing it a while, and a lot has changed (especially the shift to Lean methodologies). This course was really quite solid. It definitely re-grounded m…
  • Anonymous
    This class has increased my knowledge and taught me new things from the material presented by the instructor. This class has given me a more detailed understanding of the work of a product manager in a company. What I have learned so far has made me even more confident in my career choice as an instructor and product management teacher, which I can share with the participants in my class, especially my students.

  • Profile image for Ashenafi Desalegn
    Ashenafi Desalegn
    A solid and insightful introduction to product management. The course covers essential frameworks like customer development, market strategies, and product validation. The content is clear, practical, and easy to follow. Great for beginners or anyone looking to strengthen their foundation in product management.
  • Anonymous
    As a person that has been in the Product Management space for many years, this course really allowed me to fine tune and gain a better technical perspective on areas I have not classically been trained in. Great illustration of concepts and examples to provide a solid understanding of what it takes to be a Product Manager. James Green did a phenomenal job of teaching this course. He had a great ability to teach with a good pace and tie related concepts back into each other. Would definitely recommend this course to anyone looking to get an introduction to Product Management or touch up on their skills.
  • Profile image for Carlos Mario Caro R.
    Carlos Mario Caro R.
    I just finished the Product Management Fundamentals course and found it to be a great starting point for anyone entering the field. The content is well structured, with clear explanations and real-life examples that helped me connect theory to everyday product work. It's a solid foundation for building strong product thinking and improving both strategy and execution.
  • Anonymous
    I would rate this course highly, as it provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of product management. The course is well-structured, offering clear explanations on key topics such as product lifecycle, strategy, and market analysis. The instructors are knowledgeable, and the use of real-world examples helps to contextualize the lessons. Additionally, the course materials are engaging and encourage practical application. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to break into product management or deepen their understanding of the field.

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