Do you want to become a more well-rounded PM?
It's no secret that product managers have a lot on their plates. We're responsible for everything from crafting the perfect user experience to managing stakeholders to, you know, actually shipping a product. So it's no wonder that we're always looking for ways to optimize our workflow and become more efficient. One question we often ask ourselves is: should we learn to code?
On the one hand, as product managers, we work closely with engineers and need to be able to speak their language. Having at least a basic understanding of coding can help us build credibility and rapport with our tech team. Plus, it's always helpful to be able to understand the inner workings of the products we're managing.
On the other hand, there's a lot more to being a product manager than just coding. We also need to be able to think creatively, communicate effectively, and handle stakeholders with care. Not to mention that there are only so many hours in the day—and learning to code takes time. So is it worth it for product managers to learn to code? Let's explore both sides of the argument.
The Pros of Learning to Code for Product Managers
There are some advantages to learning how to code as a product manager. First and foremost, it gives you a better understanding of how your product works. When you can see under the hood, so to speak, it's easier to troubleshoot problems and come up with creative solutions.
In addition, being able to code gives you credibility with your engineering team. If you can sit down and write some code alongside them, they're more likely to respect your opinion and listen when you make suggestions. This can be especially helpful if you're relatively new to the role of product manager and are still establishing yourself with your team.
Finally, learning how to code forces you to think like an engineer—and that's not a bad skill for a product manager to have! Engineers tend to approach problem-solving from a logical perspective, while designers tend to approach it from an emotional perspective. As a product manager, you need to be able to juggle both perspectives and find a balance that works for your team. Learning how engineers think can help you do that.
The Cons of Learning How To Code for Product Managers
Of course, there are also some downsides associated with learning how to code as a product manager. First and foremost, it takes time—time that could be spent doing other things (like honing your stakeholder management skills or working on your design eye). In addition, not everyone is cut out for coding—it can be frustrating if you're not naturally inclined toward logic and problem-solving in that way.
Furthermore, it's important to remember that being a good coder does not necessarily make you a good product manager—and vice versa. There are plenty of great product managers out there who don't know how to code; conversely, there are plenty of great engineers who would make terrible product managers! The two skill sets are not interchangeable.
Final thought
So what's the verdict? Should product managers learn how to code or not? Ultimately, the decision comes down to each product manager and what will work best for them. There is no right or wrong answer here—it simply depends on your strengths and weaknesses as well as the needs of your team.
I learned front-end coding early in my product management career because I wanted to build credibility fast. At the time, I wasn't sure exactly how coding skills would benefit me as a PM, but I figured it couldn't hurt to gain a deeper understanding of this important part of the product development process.
And as it turns out, my coding experience was quite useful. For one thing, knowing coding basics helped me better estimate work and communicate with engineers about project timelines and requirements. In addition, having a basic understanding of web development helped me when brainstorming potential solutions or design concepts with my team. Here's a low cost course to learn some basics.
So even though coding is not a central part of the product management role, I am glad that I learned this valuable skill early on in my career. Whether you are an aspiring PM or already working in the field, I highly recommend taking some time to learn some basic front-end coding skills – you never know when they might come in handy!
