How to learn Product Management in 2024 – Complete Guide and Resources
Last updated: December, 2024 • 13 min read
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the best ways to learn Product Management, from recommended books and courses to finding expert mentors who can accelerate your learning journey.
Before diving into learning Product Management, a word of caution: While there are many resources available online, it's important to follow a structured learning path and avoid getting overwhelmed. Having a clear goal and roadmap will help you stay focused and make steady progress.
If you're looking for a more guided approach, you may want to check out our Product Management mentors who can help create a personalized learning plan and provide expert guidance throughout your journey.
Getting started with Product Management
In this guide, we'll cover:
- Learning Resources - Recommended books and online courses to build your Product Management knowledge
- Expert Guidance - Finding mentors and joining communities
- Certifications - Professional certifications to validate your Product Management skills
- Career Development - Building a portfolio and preparing for jobs
Let's explore each of these areas to help you create an effective learning path for mastering Product Management.
How can I start learning Product Management?
Getting started with Product Management is very achievable with the right approach and resources. Here are some key steps to begin your learning journey:
- Start with fundamentals. Begin by learning the core concepts and principles of Product Management. This builds a strong foundation for more advanced topics;
- Take online courses. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX offer structured Product Management courses for beginners. These provide guided learning with hands-on practice;
- Read documentation and books. Official documentation and recommended books can deepen your understanding of Product Management concepts;
- Connect with a mentor. Our experienced Product Management mentors can create a personalized learning plan and guide you through your journey efficiently.
Can I learn Product Management on my own?
While self-study is possible, having expert guidance can save you months of trial and error and help you avoid common pitfalls. Here's what to consider:
- Self-paced learning. Online resources and tutorials let you learn at your own speed, but it can be challenging to know if you're on the right track;
- Community support. Join online communities and forums to get help, though responses may vary in quality and accuracy;
- Professional mentorship. Working with a Product Management mentor provides personalized feedback, industry insights, and accountability to keep you progressing;
- Structured approach. A mentor can create a customized learning path based on your goals and current skill level.
Can I learn Product Management in one month?
While you can grasp basic concepts of Product Management in a month with dedicated study, becoming proficient typically takes longer. Here's a realistic timeline:
- First month. Master fundamental concepts and basic principles of Product Management;
- 3-6 months. Develop intermediate skills and work on increasingly complex projects;
- 6-12 months. Build advanced knowledge and professional-level expertise;
- Accelerated learning. Working with one of our expert Product Management mentors can significantly speed up this timeline through focused guidance and industry best practices.
Learning Resources for Product Management
One of the most effective ways to build a strong foundation in Product Management is through carefully selected learning resources. Let's explore some key materials that can help you master this field.
Essential Reading Materials
Books remain one of the most comprehensive ways to learn Product Management in depth. They provide structured knowledge and detailed explanations that are often missing from online tutorials. Here are some recommended reading approaches:
- Start with beginner-friendly books that introduce core concepts and fundamentals
- Progress to intermediate texts that cover more advanced topics and real-world applications
- Keep reference books handy for looking up specific concepts and techniques
Recommended Books for Product Management
The Art of Product Management
Released in 2008, the Art of Product Management has truly stood the test of time and is among the top-selling management books, even today! A must-have in the library of any fresh product manager.
Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products
As Product Manager, user engagement is always at the top of your mind. The best way to have engaged users is to create habit-forming products. Nir Eyal walks us through the inner workings of almost addicting social apps and boils down how you can use the same mechanisms for good.
Shape Up
Shape Up is coming out of the product factory Basecamp. Having been in business for over a decade, both as agency and product company, they have developed a unique and well-tested approach to product management.
Measure What Matters: OKRs
OKRs are well-established in data-driven organizations. This book by John Doerr talks about what OKRs to use and how to implement them right to focus on the right things.
Online Learning Platforms
Online courses provide structured learning paths with hands-on practice. Here are some recommended platforms and course types:
- Interactive courses - Learn by doing with coding exercises and projects
- Video tutorials - Watch expert instructors explain concepts step-by-step
- Practice exercises - Reinforce learning through hands-on challenges
Recommended Courses for Product Management
Product Management Specialization
Product School
eCornell Product Management Certificate
One Week PM
Get help with your learning journey
Learning Communities and Support
Having the right support system is crucial for learning Product Management. Here are some ways to get help:
- MentorCruise Community - Join our active community of learners and mentors to get support on your journey
- 1:1 Mentorship - Get personalized guidance from our expert Product Management mentors
- Work Reviews - Have experienced Product Management mentors review your work and provide detailed feedback
- Discussion Forums - Connect with peers to share knowledge and ask questions
Ready to accelerate your learning? Find a Product Management mentor who can guide you through these steps and provide personalized support.
Expert Guidance
Learning Product Management is more effective with expert guidance. Our mentors provide:
- Personalized Learning Plans - Get a customized roadmap based on your goals and current skill level
- Industry Best Practices - Learn professional standards and workflows
- Career Development - Get advice on job searching, resume building, and career advancement
Want more options? Browse all 418 Product Management mentors to find the perfect match for your goals.
Professional Certifications
Earning certifications can validate your Product Management skills and boost your career prospects. Here are some recommended certifications:
Emeritus Chief Product Officer Programme
Hosted by iimk.emeritus.org
IIM Kozhikode has launched the Chief Product Officer Programme for trailblazing product leaders who can combine product capabilities, data, and insights to power up product strategies and roadmaps. Break through a noisy market, adopt and execute nimble and winning product strategies and enter th…
Professional Certificate Programme in Product Management
Hosted by iimkozhikode.emeritus.org
The IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate Programme in Product Management is the perfect way to learn the skills you need to be a successful product manager. Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, this programme will give you the knowledge and experience you need to b…
ProductSchool Product Management Certification (PMC)
Hosted by productschool.com
Breaking into Product Management is hard—excelling at the job is even harder. To succeed as a Product Manager, you need to be strategic, influence without authority, manage processes tactfully, and generate insights; each alone is challenging, but mastering them all? That’s why we’re here.
…SP Certification In Product Management
Hosted by simplilearn.com
Become a certified product manager from SP Jain School of Global Management. Gain expertise in AI-powered product management courses (ChatGPT & Google Bard), top product tools, with 100% interactive, live sessions led by industry experts and SP Jain’s top faculties.
Our mentors can help you prepare for these certifications through:
- Exam Preparation - Get structured guidance to master certification topics
- Practice Tests - Work through sample questions and mock exams
- Study Planning - Create an effective study schedule to achieve your certification goals
- Hands-on Practice - Apply certification concepts through practical exercises
View all recommended certifications for Product Management →
Career Guidance
Beyond technical skills, succeeding in Product Management requires strategic career planning. Our career mentors provide:
- Industry Insights - Get insider knowledge about Product Management roles and companies
- Career Strategy - Build a roadmap to reach your professional goals
- Resume & Portfolio Review - Optimize your professional materials for Product Management positions
- Interview Preparation - Practice technical and behavioral interviews with experienced professionals
- Salary Negotiation - Learn to advocate for yourself and negotiate competitive compensation
Ready to accelerate your Product Management career? Connect with a career mentor to start building your professional future.
Quick Summary
- 🎯 Best for: beginners and intermediate learners
- ⏱️ Learning time: 5 certification paths available
- 💰 Required investment: Courses, books and mentorship to certification (~$500)
- 🎓 Prerequisites: None
- 🔗 Related fields: Startup, Product Design, Leadership, Management