In a recent webinar, Zafeer Rais, a Senior Product Manager at Zalando, shared insights on creating an effective 30-60-90 day plan for new product managers. This structured approach helps new hires transition smoothly into their roles, set clear expectations, and measure success over the first three months.
Key Takeaways
- 30-60-90 Day Plan: A framework for new employees to outline objectives for their first three months.
- Observation Phase (Days 1-30): Focus on understanding the team, product, and processes.
- Experimentation Phase (Days 31-60): Start taking ownership and experimenting with contributions.
- Implementation Phase (Days 61-90): Begin executing on larger projects and demonstrating your value.
Understanding the 30-60-90 Day Plan
The 30-60-90 day plan is a roadmap for new product managers. It breaks down the first three months into three distinct phases:
- Observation (Days 1-30): Learn about the company, team, and product.
- Experimentation (Days 31-60): Start contributing and experimenting with ideas.
- Implementation (Days 61-90): Take ownership of projects and deliver results.
This plan is not just a personal guide; it can also be a topic during job interviews, where candidates may be asked to present their approach to the first three months in a new role.
The First 30 Days: Observation Phase
During the first month, the focus is on observation. Here are some key activities:
- Meet Stakeholders: Build relationships with team members across departments, including engineering, sales, and marketing. Schedule casual one-on-ones to foster connections.
- Understand the Product: Spend time using the product, asking for demos, and learning about its features and any existing issues.
- Learn the Processes: Familiarize yourself with the team’s rituals, such as daily stand-ups and planning meetings. Understand how decisions are made and how communication flows.
Power Influence Grid
A useful tool during this phase is the Power Influence Grid. This helps you categorize stakeholders based on their influence and interest in the product. The grid has four quadrants:
- Keep Satisfied: High influence, low interest.
- Engage and Consult: High influence, high interest.
- Keep Informed: Low influence, high interest.
- Monitor: Low influence, low interest.
The Next 30 Days: Experimentation Phase
The second month is all about experimentation. Here’s what to focus on:
- Make Mistakes: Use your new status to ask questions and try new things without fear of judgment. This is the time to learn.
- Take Ownership: Identify areas where you can make an impact. Start small by taking on low-risk projects or features.
- Contribute to Discovery: Engage in product discovery efforts, identifying potential problems or opportunities for improvement.
The Final 30 Days: Implementation Phase
By the third month, it’s time to shift into implementation mode:
- Own a Feature: If you haven’t already, take ownership of a significant feature or project. Show your initiative and readiness to lead.
- Deliver Results: Focus on executing your plans and demonstrating the value you bring to the team.
- Avoid Common Pitfalls: Stay humble, avoid making drastic changes too quickly, and continue building relationships.
Checklist for Success
To summarize, here’s a quick checklist for each phase:
- Days 1-30: Use the product, meet stakeholders, conduct user research.
- Days 31-60: Draw a short-term roadmap, identify low-hanging fruits.
- Days 61-90: Define user stories, prepare to ship your first feature.
Conclusion
The 30-60-90 day plan is a powerful tool for new product managers. It helps set clear expectations and provides a structured approach to integrating into a new role. By following this plan, you can make a positive impression and establish yourself as a valuable team member. Remember, the first 30 days are about making habits, the next 30 are about making progress, and the final 30 are about seeing results. Embrace this journey, and you’ll set yourself up for success in your new role!